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Adios, Costa Rica

by Erika Torres
11 comments

Over the past few weeks, it was becoming more and more of a realization that our “honeymoon” Costa Rica adventure vacation was going to have to wait another year.

Did my heart break a little bit a lot? Yes. BUT—it helps to know that it doesn’t mean we won’t EVER go, it just means we can’t go in August as planned.

We have too many uncertainties, too many unknowns, that it would be simply irresponsible to use about $4,000 to go on the ultimate Costa Rica vacation. I like to travel in style. We don’t do vacations on budgets very well. (See Seattle).

This past week, we were also hit with a doozy. The good news is Eric made it to the second round of testing in Seattle. The bad news is we purchased his airfare yesterday–$404. If you recall, two weeks ago, we spent $358 for BOTH our flights. Now, we plopped down $404 for just one airfare. I blame it on Libya.

We’ll also have to get Eric a hotel for one night, transportation to and from the interview, food for the day, oh and a suit.

With no other option in sight, I raided our travel fund. Emptied out everything except for $100. And the sad part is it still looks like we might not make our under $1000 credit card goal for the month. C’est la vie. At least we had the funds to fall back on, right? Always gotta look at the bright side.

In the end, it will all be worth it if he gets the job. If he doesn’t get the job, well we’re out a few several hundred dollars and we still don’t have Costa Rica. No pressure, honey.

I mean, uh, no, wait, if he doesn’t get the job, that means it was a good experience, right? And just practice for all the other (FOUR!) fire tests and interviews coming up, right? Yup. But it doesn’t matter, because he will get the job. We’re all about optimism around here, aren’t we?

And some sacrifices are just worth it…

11 comments

Teacher Girl March 17, 2011 - 10:14 am

Um, that is the best looking math equation I’ve ever seen! The honeymoon will happen for you guys, especially considering how good you are at saving. I know it sucks to wait, but at least it is for your future!

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Maggie March 17, 2011 - 8:27 am

Suck no trip but you do what you have to do. We are in that same situation. My husband is working on getting on the fire department in Arlington, VA. Its a long hard process. So if he gets this job are you moving to Seattle?

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Shannon March 17, 2011 - 4:14 am

It will all be worth it in the end! Good luck to him!

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Sara @ House Bella March 16, 2011 - 2:32 pm

The loss of the trip is sad, but, hopefully it’ll all be worth it in the end! It’s like seeing the tree for the forest…or the forest for the tree…or whichever way that saying goes. I can never figure it out.

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Lindy Mint March 16, 2011 - 1:54 pm

Costa Rica will be worth it when the time comes. And you’re right, he WILL get a job. And that will be worth it too.

We never had a honeymoon because we moved across country and started grad school instead. It never bothered me, I just wanted to be married. But we are talking about saving up for a 10 year anniversary trip, which is only three years away now. It goes fast!

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Red March 16, 2011 - 12:11 pm

Yeah, baby! I’d sacrifice Costa Rica for that bod, too! 😉

Good luck, Eric!

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Jackie March 16, 2011 - 12:06 pm

Do you rack up hotel/airline points? Last year, I sent my husband to Dallas for some certification for free with our America Airline points and Goldpoints from Raddison/Country Inn & Suites.

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The Coach's Wife March 16, 2011 - 11:59 am

haha! that pic is hilarious!!! we had to give up our Honeymoon fund and dreams too… it all went into our house buying. House of our own= cool… Mediterranean cruise= so super cool I would have lived in a cardboard box.
ah well. such is life. I hope we get to make it there someday!

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Kim March 16, 2011 - 11:57 am

Oh, so sad; I know you were so looking forward to it! Stupid life getting in the way of fun! We had to cancel a skiing trip this winter because our free housing & transportation went bye-bye, and I couldn’t even watch the skiing weather report without getting upset (geez I’m such a girl sometimes). Can you still try to go somewhere closer? Maybe take a week and do the Grand Canyon, or somewhere else drivable you haven’t been?! So that you see something new and create great memories anyhoo? It’s kind of like throwing yourself into a new hobby after a breakup to forget about the guy – here you throw yourself into planning a new vacation to forget about C.R.

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jobo March 16, 2011 - 11:53 am

Aww! I’m sorry to hear that…but hey, never say never, maybe you’ll somehow come up with a slush fund or Eric will get a huge ass bonus when he gets the job 🙂 (Cuz I bet he will! Good luck!!) Either way, you have the right attitude about it and are doing the right thing!

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IntrigueMe (Quarter For Her Thoughts) March 16, 2011 - 11:53 am

I’m way behind in my reader so I have no idea what’s going on, but I wish Eric luck at his interview! And you’re right, at least you had the cash set aside for it and aren’t going into debt. That’s the point of emergency cash, right. 🙂

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