Family Vacation Planning Time

I have this horrible need to have a vacation planned at all times.  It's like I can't concentrate or focus unless I know I have something to look forward too.  I've been spending way too much time online lately trying to figure out what our winter vacation will be.  I like to take a big family vacation in January or February to get out of the cold snowy Ohio weather.

My husband and I don't really have any hobbies.  I like to cook and try new recipes but I limit them to inexpensive ingredients and I like to read free books from the library on my nook.  Mr. R works out a lot in a gym he made in the back of our basement using all thrift store finds and is really into music and finding new bands to listen to.  I'm telling you all this to justify what I did two days ago...

I booked a cruise vacation for February 2015.  I love cruising.  I think it is one of the best ways to travel with children.  It offers the perfect mix of family fun and alone relaxation time with my hubby.

I got a really great deal on a 7 night cruise from New York. It goes to Port Canaveral, Florida, Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau.  Norwegian cruise line was running a promotion where kids sail free.  We booked a balcony room for the 4 of us for $2240 which includes all the taxes.  They also gave us $50 towards our cruise spending.  I only had to put $250 down.  I'm really excited.  The boat looks a lot nicer than the carnival cruise ships that we've been on in the past.

Part of my goals this year was to save $4,000 towards vacations.  So far we have saved $1850.  $250 was spent on our family camping trip and $1,000 is set aside for our 3 night getaway in October for our 10 year anniversary.  So I have $650 of money set aside for the cruise so far.

Whenever I book a vacation, I research all my costs and start an excel spreadsheet with all the estimated expenditures.  Then, as I save up the money, I can check items off the list.  So I know what I'll be doing this weekend!