Losing Job, But Still Traveling to Europe

[Rollin]

Got a buddy who called me early last month upset that he was loosing his job in two weeks.  Helped him decide how to approach his boss so that he could stay on until the end of the fiscal year.  He's in big debt, has a DW who wants to drive BMW SUVs or nothin', and she wants to live on the water - or nothin', etc.

So I call his office earlier this week to see if he wants to talk over lunch (I'd buy since I expect that he's in financial lockdown mode) and his secretary says he's not available - he's out of the country!  WT heck!!!!  Cancel that trip, get as much refunded as possible, and also avoid all those extra costs that come along with traveling.  I couldn't believe what I heard.

He needs a facepunch, or three.

[a.g]

Your friend is not alone. Me and my GF marvel constantly at people who like to live with their heads up their you-know-what. It's not just money either- it's diet, lifestyle and beliefs. Many people prefer to coast

[mpbaker22]

Your friend is not alone. Me and my GF marvel constantly at people who like to live with their heads up their you-know-what. It's not just money either- it's diet, lifestyle and beliefs. Many people prefer to coast

Exactly, I think people prefer what will give the most constant stream of cash flows.  This is why people can't fathom retiring early, they see that 50K/year salary cash flow disappearing and can't imaging where it's made up. 
It's also why most people in my office picked the more expensive of the two healthcare plans.  Mine has a $0 individual premium with a $2800 deductible.  The other is an $80/month premium with a $1500 deductible.  Sure, the total possible out of pocket cost is higher on mine, but they're always going to pay at least $960. 
People gave me a hard time about how I was going to pay for my high costs of going to a doctor a few weeks ago (possible broken finger, it wasn't).  It'll be about $200, and I still won't be anywhere near the cost of their premiums, but their payments are constant and pre-determined, so they like the deal better.

[Jamesqf]

I'm not sure about the facepunch.  Is it possible the trip is for business?  If it's personal, I think the secretary overstepped in telling you he was out of the country.  Suppose you'd been a burglar looking for a vacant place to rob?

[Rollin]

On the pay more now vs. lots more later that mpbaker22 cited (he actually will not pay more now unless he has to go for something significant, but I'll use his post as a start to make my post more relevant).  Local plan for effluent (reused water) water service at a meter in front of your house.  It's great for lawns etc and costs much less to use than potable "city" water.  Cost appoximately $1,200 upfront, or "x" number of dollars (can't remember the details) over "x" number of months, but I remember it adding almost $500 to the total cost!

Its not a necessity so if you "wanted" it and didn't have a stash to get the $$ from you could wait and save $1,200.

I'm not sure about the facepunch.  Is it possible the trip is for business?  If it's personal, I think the secretary overstepped in telling you he was out of the country.  Suppose you'd been a burglar looking for a vacant place to rob?

She knows me, and I didn't mention in the earlier post that he states that he'll be out of the country in his "out of the office" respond email.

However, I do feel a twinge of judgement.

[Eric]

I wonder which hostels they are staying in.  :)

[MrsPete]

On another board I follow, this is VERY COMMON!  And the mentality of that board is quite different.  It tends to be, "Well, you've already paid in XXX amount, and you'd lose so much of that if you back out of your vacation now.  Go and worry about it when you come back."  INSANITY.

[NumberJohnny5]

I might still go, it'd just depend.

All the money already spent is a sunk cost. What if the vast majority of the trip was already paid for? It's not hard to have airfare and hotel booked many many months in advance. Maybe some kind of fun card (the kind where you pay $X and get to pick any 3 out of 7 activities...or certain amount of days...or whatever). Groupon for a tour and a nice restaurant. Perhaps a two week long overseas vacation is "only" going to cost an extra $500 for two people (then deduct the amount you'll "save" by not being home, i.e. lower utility bills, no grocery bills, so maybe it's more like $350 or so).

Heck, "out of the country" could mean "all inclusive cruise", where everything's already been paid for (cruise itself, plane tickets to/from the port, motel stay the night prior) except for gratuities (which may have already been prepaid, though I'd be surprised if you couldn't get at least that part refunded). If it's paid vacation time, heck yeah I'd go! If not...I dunno.

[Rollin]

I might still go, it'd just depend.

All the money already spent is a sunk cost. What if the vast majority of the trip was already paid for? It's not hard to have airfare and hotel booked many many months in advance. Maybe some kind of fun card (the kind where you pay $X and get to pick any 3 out of 7 activities...or certain amount of days...or whatever). Groupon for a tour and a nice restaurant. Perhaps a two week long overseas vacation is "only" going to cost an extra $500 for two people (then deduct the amount you'll "save" by not being home, i.e. lower utility bills, no grocery bills, so maybe it's more like $350 or so).

Heck, "out of the country" could mean "all inclusive cruise", where everything's already been paid for (cruise itself, plane tickets to/from the port, motel stay the night prior) except for gratuities (which may have already been prepaid, though I'd be surprised if you couldn't get at least that part refunded). If it's paid vacation time, heck yeah I'd go! If not...I dunno.

Could be.

Another thing I thought of was essentially loosing two weeks of pay.  When you go (get let go) you get all your vacation time payed out at 100%.  I decided to work July 5 for that reason.  I could use that extra day when I cash in my 600 or so hours at retirement.

Now, I do take time off, but I just didn't feel the need this Friday.