Budget Travel!

I apologize for being MIA lately. I haven't had much to update about in the personal finance arena. I only get paid once a month, so payday is Tuesday. I did pretty well with sticking to my cash envelopes in the month of March. I only went over a little bit, and now I know where I can trim back in April so that I don't go over. =)

This weekend, me and C decided to go on a small trip down to Myrtle Beach, SC. It came about at the last minute, because I knew I'd have tomorrow (Monday) off work. We got lucky, and Chris was told that he didn't have to report in again til Tuesday. I asked a friend of mine who lives in Myrtle about good places to stay and she recommended Hotel Breakers. So we looked into it and they had an Ultimate Romance package where we got a rooftop ocean view room, chocolate covered strawberries, a small bottle of champagne, and free breakfast. The total cost for two nights? $230.

It took us 5 hours to make the 2 1/2 hour drive, however, because Friday evening there were tornadoes in the area we were coming from. One of the tornadoes crossed over I-95, which we were driving on, and stopped traffic for two hours! It was annoying, but today when we came back the drive was very easy. We are looking forward to going back in the near future.

Here are some pics:


This is the view from the balcony/patio attached to our room. It was huge, since it was a penthouse room.



This was also taken from the rooftop. Here you can see the water, the sand, the beautiful landscaping, and one of the hotel's swimming pools with two hot tubs. =)

C is a great boyfriend for spoiling me and taking me on trips. Also, I'm thinking we got a great deal because of the economy--the hotels are trying to generate business by offering cheaper packages. I highly recommend Hotel Breakers because it was clean, had great amenities, and the staff was wonderful and accomodating!

No Las Vegas

Me and C's Las Vegas trip is a no-go. His leave request was denied, because his unit is going to Louisiana to train for a month in May, and the tentative dates for our trip fell too close to when they'll be leaving (we would have gone in late April). In case it's not obvious, he is a military guy. ;)

We are both disappointed, but the silver lining to this is that I can put the $500 cash that I was going to spend on this trip to paying down the Discover Card instead! I think that the universe is trying to tell me something about that. Now I am even more anxious for all my W2's to get here.

We'll go to Las Vegas someday...when I am debt free, and can *truly* enjoy it!

Taxes and Travel

Right now I'm playing the W2 waiting game. I'm a little bit nervous, because three of my four W2's are coming from former employers in another state. I had to contact each with my new address, and I'm not sure if I gave them sufficient enough warning for them to be mailed to the right place. For one of them, I can retrieve it online so it's a non-issue, but I'm still nervous about the other two. I want them as soon as possible so I can go over to H&R Block and do everything ASAP. The fourth one, from my current employer, won't be a problem obviously!

In 2008, I had a full-time job, a part time job on top of it due to sub-standard pay at the full-time gig, and then in the summer I went back to a former job that I had enjoyed. So that is why I have so many W2's that will be coming! I'm looking forward to doing my taxes because in 2008, I made the most money I have ever made in a year so I should be getting a really awesome refund.

I also pulled my Discover Card statements from July and August up today, and added up my deductions for traveling to interview and moving. The total amount I'll be able to write off will be $1,165.04! That will be really nice, and should boost my total refund amount a little.

In other news, C and I are planning a trip for April when I have spring break. We will probably be going to Las Vegas. I have never been there, and after comparing prices we found that it's cheaper to go to Vegas than it would be to go on a cruise (even if we drove down to the port!). I will be able to pay cash for my plane ticket and my part of our hotel, and then C said that he would pick up the tab for everything else when we're there. So even though food, shows, cover charges to clubs and all that are extra, I won't have to budget that in--though I will probably set aside a small amount of money for shopping and gambling! I am so lucky to have a debt free boyfriend who spoils me rotten. ;)

I wish we could book now, but I'm waiting for the above mentioned tax refund to come because otherwise I'd have less than I'm comfortable with in savings. I know that some readers would argue that I shouldn't go on a trip when I'm in debt still, but the way I see it is--I'm paying cash so I will be able to truly enjoy it. I won't have to dread incoming bills from it whatsoever. And it's not a super extravagant expensive trip. It'll basically be a long weekend! I am very excited.

I will be sure to post as my W2's trickle in, and further updates about trip planning as well.