I have to be honest about my spending habits, they are bad and always have been. Just to give you an idea, when I was laid off after the 2008 Financial Explosion, I did cut back on frivolous things like my weekly cleaning lady (I still miss her.) That said, if you have been a loyal reader, you know I have had many opportunities because of the blog to visit Disney World and Disney Land attending the Disney Social Media Mom Conferences, attending Red Carpet premieres for Pete’s Dragon, Thor: Dark World and Marvel Avengers. I mean am I going to miss meeting Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth, and Chris Evans. Nope!
Life is for living and not regrets.
Last year, my daughter and I went to Italy on miles and hotel points. Hey, those miles and points were losing value, so I justified using them.
So this year, I made a conscious effort to pay down debt but two major family events put a crimp in my plans. My brother had surgery (tune-up for his heart surgery years ago) so we went to visit with him in Chicago. How could I not? We have no family in Chicago and my sister and I did not want him to go through his entire recovery without family support.
So after the trip, I was determined to pretty much do nothing the rest of the year. Then I got to thinking that family is TRULY important (duh) and seeing my sister and brother was fun and important for us to catch up. And it was also important that my daughter and her Florida cousin spend time together.
Of course, they are not my only family. My father has long passed and so have his brothers so there is one remaining sibling his sister, my 84-year-old aunt. For her 80th birthday, my California cousin arranged for a group of cousins from across the country to surprise her in Atlanta. And it was a glorious event and she was so happy to see all of us, many for the first time in years.
As I mentioned she is NOW 84 years old and I kept thinking, I really do not want the next time I see her is at her funeral. Yes, that is a morbid thought and she might be in good health but the reality is she is 84 years old.
So I convinced my sister and her husband to drive up from Florida and my brother to fly down from Chicago Christmas week. I don’t need to tell you that flying during the Christmas holidays is not cheap but no matter, I wanted to see my Aunt and my Atlanta cousins (her children) who I haven’t seen in years. But along with paying for my very expensive airline tickets, I paid for my brother’s ticket. Unfortunately, his medical situation put in a financial hole. Again no matter.
Did I mention
Life is for living and not regrets.
So off we go to Enjoy Christmas with family.
What are you doing for the Holiday Season?