Gwen (my kid) and I had planned on taking a vacation this September to Chincoteague Island (yes, where the ponies live) to visit my parents, who are in the process of retiring there. Since Gwen doesn’t fly, I planned to rent a car and road trip there and back. My dear friend AK, who lives in Cincinnati, agreed to put us up for a night on the way out and back. My folks said they’d pay for the rental, but just in case, I had a plan to set aside money every month so we could afford the vacation.
Unfortunately, the vacation is now off, as several things have hit me at once, and the “set aside” money between now and September is now earmarked for those other things.
June: Paid off a personal debt to my ex-wife.
July: Paying off my 2013 income tax.
August: Paying off a medical bill
Gwen and I are both disappointed, as will be my folks when I tell them. But this is what being a grownup is about: taking care of your obligations before spending your money on the fun stuff. I’m sad I won’t be taking a trip, but there will be other opportunities. Frankly, having spent so much of life ducking my responsibilities, I am proud to take care of my business.