Doing What You Love

Photo by Jenny W.



As most of you know, Matt and I have become very budget-conscious the past two years, and have worked hard to eliminate our credit card debt, build up some emergency savings, and are now chipping away at my student loans.

With all this stringency, however, we've definitely taken time and money to do things we enjoy...just for the heck of it. We have date nights and enjoy a nice dinner occasionally. We relish going to the movies (using our Entertainment coupons of course). And this past weekend while my cousin Amanda was in town, we jumped at the chance to get to do all the "touristy" things that are so fun to do (more on that later).

And, at the end of February, we're packing our bags and headed to Hawaii for 6 whole days of a babymoon! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am for this! Other than our overnight stay on Bainbridge Island for our anniversary in 2009, this will be our first getaway that's for just the two of us since our honeymoon! Not that we don't love going to visit family or going to weddings, but it will be nice to have one trip before the baby arrives that will just be for us to enjoy each other's company. And I have to say, after 6 years of knowing this guy I still enjoy hanging out with him more than anyone else.

Our itinerary consists of:

Reading on the beach in the sun

Swimming in the ocean in the sun

Scanning the horizon for whales in the sun

Snorkeling around reefs in the sun

Sleeping on the sand in the sun

As you can see, we're excited to be in the sun. After months and months of wrapping ourselves in fleece and flannel and wearing two pairs of wool socks and a thermal base layer and fleece jacket in our house and sleeping with an electric blanket and watching tv swathed in a down comforter...we're a little excited to shed some layers and sunbathe.

We're from California, people, and I don't think the day I was born my skin was this fair. Its like reverse tanning. My legs may temporarily blind some of the locals in Hawaii, but they'll recover.

So yes, we're dipping a bit into our savings and are cutting back our budget this next month to pay for this trip, but that's when you have to weigh your priorities. For us, experiences are one of our top priorities. We've come to realize we want to use our "fun" money for memories that will last a long time, rather than some new physical item. When will be the next time just the two of us can sneak off to Maui? Probably not until our 20th anniversary, like my parents did! And the lovely thing is we still won't go into debt at all! See? Planning ahead does pay off!

What are your priorities? What is worth it to you to save your nickels and dimes for?