Since I'm in the debt shackle release program and my monumental 50th birthday is fast approaching on January 15, I've be thinking about how I can have a fabulous celebration without spending a lot of money.
If I were debt free, I would be on my way to Hawaii. But since I'm not, I'll be staying home. I had considered spending the night in a resort on the shore. However, once I crunched the numbers, I decided against it. The room with the ocean view is $175. That's before tax! Naturally, if I go to the shore I must at least window shop at the outlet mall. That could be dangerous. So I figured I should plan at least $200 for possible spending at the outlet mall. Now, I'm up to more than $400. Unfortunately, I've got to eat. So I'm thinking birthday celebration, ocean view resort, husband, romantic dinner at the restaurant at the resort. Not! That would be $150-$200. I so hate spending that much on one dinner. That's my weekly food budget! So one night to celebrate my birthday could cost upward of $600! That's a lot of money for one night. I probably could get an all inclusive in the Caribbean for that amount of money. I just don't want to look back on this birthday and say I spent that much money on one night.
So here's the plan. My family has decided to take me to dinner at a brand new restaurant in town. That's their gift to me. It seems very elegant, and I'm excited to try it. We're going there the night before my birthday. On my birthday I'm going to a very upscale spa near my home. I love spas. I may have mentioned this before, but one day I'm going to visit and have a treatment at an historic inn and spa in every state in the Union. I have gift certificates to the spa. I've been saving them for my birthday. In addition, my husband gave me another gift certificate for Christmas. I'm going to get a hot stone massage, a facial, a manicure and a pedicure for the price of the tip, which I calculate to be about $50.
Up until now, I would have thought nothing of charging the $600 or more to my credit card to celebrate my birthday. Now, I'm looking forward to dinner with my family and a day off from work to enjoy my spa. I'm still on the fence about turning 50 :-).
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Look How Far I've Come
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7 comments:
That sounds a lot more agreeable than more debt! Good job looking for options.
Your birthday plans sound great. And you made the right choice. Those short breaks can cost a ridiculous amount and they're over in no time.
Plus the hot stone therapy is absolutely amazing. Have a great time.
Oooh, the spa sounds nice. I got a massage right before my wedding and it was delicious.
Wow, the meal with your family at the brand new restaurant and a day at the spa sound great too! And so much cheaper than $600, like you said.
I can't wait to read about it here... be sure to post and let us know :-)
First off...Happy Birthday!
Start saving now! a little aside a month $10 would be $1200 to spend on a fun party!
Bigger point is that you are making all the right moves to be debt-chain free soon!
That sounds like a fabulous birthday, my fellow Capricorn! The spa is such a great idea - good for you using the gift certs, too!
Happy Birthday!! I did not do anything for my 30th, or 40th. So hopefully my 50th will be more memorable. I would like to go on a cruise with my husband, but not until I am debt free. I have four years to save! But, oh, the spa sounds wonderful!! You can plan a bigger celebration when you are debt free!
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