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AIBU?

To be stressed to the hills over a surprise holiday

177 replies

Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 09:54

My sister has paid for us to go to Florida in August as a Christmas present the flights Vila and car hire are all paid for. I am stressed as I am really struggling to save up for park tickets etc which is almost as much as the holiday on top of that I have my son moving to high school his uniform is over £300 bus pass £100 dd is doing duke of ed which is £250 ds trip £155 so this year we probably wouldn't have gone abroad. I am stressed I keep bursting into tears rowing with the hubby who refuses to make any cut backs so we can save money. To top it off my mum and sister are calling me ungrateful as I have mentioned I am worried about the money. Iam not but I am resentful of being put under this stress if she insisted on being elaborate and paying for a holiday why not a cheaper all inclusive instead of something that is going to cost me a fortune or ask me first instead of surprising me in front of the kids so I couldn't say no. Anyway any get rich quick schemes or free things to do in Florida so she hasn't wasted thousands on the flights and villa lol

OP posts:

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PressRedToSelect · 14/07/2016 11:02

OP you do have an unfortunate history of being given unwanted gifts

Seriously, as PP have pointed out Florida is huge. You can go there without going near any of the theme parks. Or just pick one to visit.

Nocabbageinmyeye · 14/07/2016 11:02

Why would anyone think this thread is fake? What am I missing?

I think people need to be realistic, you might be happy not to go to the parks but there is no child I know that doesn't hear Florida and think Disney so if you are travelling all that way with kids and you won't have the budget to do it again while the kids are small then I think you need to go at least once.

I'm not sure about you marital state op, I thought that was frowned upon on mn? To go searching and bringing up other threads?

Anyway, so it looks like you are going anyway but I think you need to talk to your sister and tell her you appreciate it is done out of kindness but that she needs to reign in the gifts a little.

This thing of posters saying "you have had seven months to save" makes me laugh - you can't save what you don't have to save! I have a friend like this who thinks oh just put xx a week away for socialising/holidays and gets annoyed when people don't do it but she just doesn't get that if you don't have xx you can't save it!

PressRedToSelect · 14/07/2016 11:05

oh just seen the horse letter.

You may want to ask HQ to delete that post. It's quite identifying names and location .
I live about 45 minutes from where the horse is located. I've never lived in the area but knew where it is from the details in the letter.

MeAndMy3LovelyBoys · 14/07/2016 11:06

Exactly you can't save it up if you don't have it to save. Things will always come up and be a bigger priority, and 7 months will be gone like that.
Some people just don't live in the real world.

Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:09

the letter has my dd and my sisters nick name the horse isn't at that yard anymore and I just wanted to prove that it isn't fake as jellycat1 and a few others thought it was fake

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Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:11

Yes my gifts are quite legendary lol I have crap off the hubby and eleborate gifts off my sister would be happy with something in between lol

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mickeysminnie · 14/07/2016 11:14

You have said that your sister gave you the horse and that you are paying for it, then in another post you say that you are not paying for the horse but are paying for horse riding lessons? If that is the case the lessons are optional just stop.
As for the trip to Florida, as others have stated there is no need to go to the parks everyday. Why not pick a few days spread out over the course of the holiday. If that still isn't feasible ask your sister to buy the tickets as this years Christmas presents?

Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:18

I pay for bits for the horse but am not responsible for the food or stable bills. My sister had her in a cheap yard that wasn't suitable so we moved my sister still pays the bills but like when the other week she needed a fly rug I bought it stuff like that.

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user1467032004 · 14/07/2016 11:24

I take it you mean stressed to the hilt...

First world problems - my sister is generous enough to buy my kid ponies and take me on dream holidays.

Nocabbageinmyeye · 14/07/2016 11:26

Oh do fuck off if you have nothing to actually add to the thread, it is not a first world problem to be stressed about money, ok didn't pay for the pony or the holiday

juneau · 14/07/2016 11:27

The park tickets are expensive - we went to FL in Oct and I think they were about £75 per person per day. However, you don't have to go to every park and you don't have to do theme parks every day, so take a look at your budget, decide which park(s) you really want to visit and then rationalise accordingly. If you buy your park tickets before you travel you get them cheaper than if you just show up on the day and buy them at the entrance, so do your research and consider buying a park pass for x days as this works out cheaper.

As for saving money on days out to other places, take a look at some of these ideas: orlandoonthecheap.com/25-orlando-attractions-under-30/

Petrol is, at least, cheap so driving over to the coast for a day at the beach will be relatively inexpensive, as is eating out, grocery shopping, etc.

peppercold · 14/07/2016 11:27

Why are people saying it's fake? And posters who are saying first world problems.... You don't know what else the O.P is going through do you??

Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:35

I have no idea why people say this is fake peppercold. Maybe not first world problems I am just stressed over paying for everything I want the kids to enjoy it but know I have so much to pay for with school as well this year. Thank u everyone who gave helpful advice will look at the options of things to do and the park ticket options X

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juneau · 14/07/2016 11:36

PS. Don't forget medical insurance. I'm guessing your oh-so-generous DSis hasn't paid for that.

P.P.S. You need to have a serious word with her. Yes, its extremely generous, but her behaviour is also very controlling and with this holiday also costing you a large sum of money its unwelcome. Say thank you, by all means, but make it clear that you don't want her to do this again in future as you simply cannot afford her 'generosity'!

Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:37

No she hasn't paid for insurance or the visa or the fact our passports needed renewing as they expire while we are away

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CaptainCrunch · 14/07/2016 11:47

Are you actually staying in Orlando OP?

The best deal I got for park tickets was American Attractions, I bought them online before we went. You can get a 3 park or 5 park deal and your tickets are valid for either 7 or 14 days.

If you're not going to Orlando, I wouldn't bother with park tickets at all.

CaptainCrunch · 14/07/2016 11:48

Insurance shouldn't be that much. I very basic policy for the 4 of us last year cost about £35. I got a slightly more comprehensive one because DC were considering doing some water sports. But you can easily get insured online for about £50.

user1467032004 · 14/07/2016 11:49

You need to ensure each passport has 6 months left before expiry btw.

Can you ask your sister to borrow money? She seems to be quite generous so I'm assuming she could give you a small loan until you get back on your feet.

PressRedToSelect · 14/07/2016 11:49

The visa? Why are you not travelling with the ESTA, using the visa waiver programme? Who in your party needs a visa instead of using ESTA? It takes several months to get a visa for the USA, you won't get one now at such short notice.

Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:50

Yes we are staying in Orlando will look at park tickets for just a few days instead of the whole holiday as its just so expensive

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Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:52

I have recently renewed the passports because of this holiday. I got told u now need a visa for USA about £14 each but haven't looked into it yet

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PressRedToSelect · 14/07/2016 11:53

CaptainCrunch, that's very cheap for travel to the US ! I've been shopping around for a trip to Maine in October and the quotes I've been getting just for me as a single traveller are higher than that. Which insurance company did you use, I'd like to get a quote from them.

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Alfiemoon1 · 14/07/2016 11:54

Not sure my sister has money to lend out after paying all this. She hammered the overtime at work to save up for us to go.

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CaptainCrunch · 14/07/2016 11:55

High PressRed. This was last June I bought the policy. I went through Moneysupermarket. For me and DH, DD (18 at the time) and DS (14 at the time). 14 nights in Orlando. The cheapest quote I got was £35 but it was really basic. I bought ours from Virgin. Hope you get sorted!

CaptainCrunch · 14/07/2016 11:56

OP you need to sort the ESTA out or you won't get into US. Simple as. It's all done online and takes just a few minutes but you HAVE to do it.

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