USVI-On-Line

We are hoping to return to S.T.J. in the summer of 2012.Seems like a long,long wait.The reasons are simple...Debt One we clear that up and save a little we can go back right? Right! O.K. here's what happened,my wife has realized that we are getting a nice big refund this year.It almost wipes out the cards!On top of that we just paid off my daughters braces! My wife feels that we are not ready to go back yet, but If I feel the need to go back then she will not stand in my way. She will have no part in going.{she's the smart one}Question....Would you do that? Would you go down on a bare bone budget and leave the wife and 3 kids behind for one week? Keep in mind that 2 of my kids could care less if they ever go back.Bad kids,bad! I have a big guilt feeling about this,but there's a selfish side to me,I'm human ya know!Parafins

I am not voting--sorry. I just want to say that it is great that you have done such a good job of paying down your debt!!

Patience is a virtue--that is all I am going to say.

Gina

You'll pay for going alone for years.

Cheers, RickG

Oh boy. If Pete did that, he wouldn't have a home to come home to. But, that's just me. Actually, if I did that, I would not expect to have a home to come home to either. But, again, that's just us. STJ is all about us, together. It doesn't mean the same thing to everyone.

Could you enjoy yourself completely if felt you guilty? I know that I couldn't but only you can answer that. Plus even though I have no problem with seperate vacations I don't think I could enjoy STJ without hubby. Sorry, but that's my two cents.

I guess its the difference between her not standing in your way and giving you her blessing! If I were her, I'd let you go but would be extremely jealous of your time there!

I have to stand with Marcia and rickg on this one.

Maybe you can eek out something for the two of you? a shorter trip--
stay at one of the super cheap places (look on VRBO--there are places that go for about 100 a night)
scour airfares and maybe try to find a travel agent that will work with you to find the lowest possible fares--
get around by hitching and the VItran?

but go together.

DELETED

I guess the answer depends on whether you would like to remain married.

I know we all understand the "draw" to get back to STJ & the justifiable reasons (especially in tight times) we all have in going...but the feeling of paying off your debts is amazing too. Congrats to you on that!
I'd save some aside all along the way & go as a family with a much "free-er" mindset to optomize your enjoyment there. Those memories made as a family or a couple will never be regrettable one day.
With that said: we did do a "budget trip" in November; stayed at Cruz Views (just the 2 of us) & had a blast.
It's never easy to wait....especially when it concerns the love for STJ!!

My wife would stand in my way and I hers. The place won't spoil (at least not that much) it will be waiting for you 2012 and you'll have a much better time for it. Signed Dr. Phil (not really)

she doesn't give you her blessing. I agree that you need to come to an agreement together.
however, if my husband said you have my blessing to do X and I rather you go then neither of us, I'd go. it's come up before - not STJ but other things. and i've said the same to him.

She's not saying that

I agree with the others...Just work that much harder to pay off stuff and save $$ so that you can go sooner than 2012...then there will be no guilt, etc..

okay, i might be fanning flames unintentionally--
but if you AND YOUR WIFE....(okay
flew out of CHIcago on 5/25 and returned to chicago on 6/1 you could get there on Spirit for 316 RT each
transport to and from RH 60 (15/pp each way)
on VRBO i foudn the following palces in Coral bay for 107-approximnately 115/night
#268843 (on bordeaux)107/night
harborplace (264053
slice of life (115/night)
coral dream (#216538)--there are others that rent in this range as well--
so for about 1400 bucks (give or take) you have lodging transfers and airfare.
if you hitch or take public transport then you can nix a rental (a bit inconvenient but a big savings).
if you want to be near town then st john inn has places starting at 115/night
not sure what budget you were looking at --but if going with your wife is only going to cost you about 350 bucks more than going alone (since you
d have to pay for lodging anyway and a room costs what it costs whether you ahve one or 2 persons)
then.....
I am not sure what your budget is like

Parafins, we are in a similar situation. We could go, but the money spent on the trip would come out of our not so big savings, which is earmarked for the unforseen - sickness, car accidents, etc. I would go with the SOTB on a girls trip, if I had my husband's blessing, but I would never go by myself just because we could only afford for ONE of us to go. It's a very self-centered thing to do. Put the shoe on the other foot, how would YOU feel being left home with the kids while your wife was down there snorkeling and drinking beers at Woody's and whooping it up?