What to do? Started SYC/SYB, but then NYC came up

harmonica

I started SYC/SYB in feb (though I didn't know the term then) and wanted to continue until june. I was super optimistic and was doing very well and felt good about how I managed to stick to my plan. The money I save will be spent on renovating rooms in our house and pay back credit.

Some days ago, I learned that work is bringing me to NYC -- what a delight!!! BUT what to do with SYC/SYB?

The fact is that my budget is low, but I can handle credit with a long term pay back plan. Though my goal was to pay down all credit by stop spending, NOT increasing credit.

On the other hand, I can't see myself in NYC or any other big city for a long time. I love travelling, but it is rare.

What to do??

Photos, may 2011: preparing travel capsule + me at Times squre subway

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14 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from harmonica

celia

Veteran

I think only you can make that decision but I can share some thoughts with you.
The first time I traveled to Paris I was a student and went on a really low budget.I bought a tshirt there because it was an opportunity I didn't know I would have again.The stress I put myself to in that purchase( because it was the chance of a lifetime) in retrospective was not worth it.
Eventually I went back to Paris many more times because my in-laws live there.And most of those times I would go to the shops because it was a good opportunity .
Last time, after finding Ylf and a little bit more about what I liked to wear my approach was completely different .My travel wardrobe was appropriate , I spent more in going to nice places and didn't stress about checking the stores.
My own conclusion was that I appreciated walking around Paris well dressed, working with what I already had than living in the hope that in Paris I would find the perfect item of clothing that would suddenly make me stylish.
This is what I learned( sorry for the long storie).
My question is, what do you prefer to have from your trip?

14 years ago

bj1111

Veteran

i would spend your budget on a single item that will remind you of new york. this could be an item of clothing, a trinket, or even soemething from a street vendor that relates to your experience. i traveled a lot as a poverty stricken student moving from one hostel to another because it was a few baht cheaper, never mind the chickens. i bought small things that reminded me of the trip. of course i would have wanted to purchase an hermes scarf from their flagship store. instead, we used the money for a few great lunches and more memories.

i understand your desire to get something that you can not get locally. but i would concentrate on paying down debt. this will ultimately give you more choices in the future. you can have anything that you want, but you can't have all that you want.

14 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

Thank you for sharing your stories! They are insightful and point at important issues.

I agree that only I can make the decision, but as you say sharing thoughts are a way on the process.

Very good question: What do I prefer to have from my trip, besides working?
- strolling around well dressed, looking at the NYC people, getting the NYC feel (this includes wineing & dining)
- time for myself without family obligations
- visiting museums and some tourist sights
- filling wardrobe holes from the big city because I love how memories and stories stick to clothes (like my vintage Calvin Klein SAS uniform skirt, items from my grandmother, ankle boots from NYC)
- filling wardrobe holes for a waaay cheaper price than in Norway

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

In this age of internet shopping, ebay and the global marketplace, you can pretty much get anything anywhere.... anytime... delivered to your door within 24 hours... I would go and enjoy the sites, have fun window shopping, people watching. Spend time doing things that don't revolve around shopping, like hanging out in Central Park or go to a museum... or if you do go shopping make it someplace completely ridiculous like bergdorf goodman, where you can feel up the expensive merchandise but not be tempted because the prices are in the stratosphere... but don't go into debt for your clothes.

14 years ago

Meredith1953

Veteran

I haven't been to New York, but I have been to Paris (this last summer) and major cities in Japan, Italy, and Britain. I agree that to have something "tangible" to bring home is nice (other than photos) but it certainly doesn't need to be expensive clothing although with the right budget I could be persuaded. In Britain, I brought back a Duke Wellington carved doll. In Italy I brought back a leather hair comb from Florence. From Japan I brought back an new inexpensive but very pretty kimono. From Paris, I brought back a colorful touristy tote that makes me smile. I tried to spend my budget just on visiting the museums and eating in cafes etc.

With a nice wardrobe - which you definitely have, you should be able to enjoy yourself stress free! Modgirl is right that we have a global ability to shop online now so it isn't like we have to go to the city to buy clothing, even though that is fun!

14 years ago

Classically Casual

Veteran

Hello Harmonica - I have a slightly different perspective. When I used to travel for business, the days and evenings were totally taken up with work-related stuff or preparing for the next day. I literally played hooky in Philly so I could see the Liberty Bell before leaving. But that was the only time I strayed. So if one puts forth their very best efforts into work, who knows it might lead to a bonus/raise/promotion which will be a happy situation for your budget...

14 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I like to buy something basic that I need anyway - like in Paris we bought a wine bottle opener years ago and used it daily for many years until it finally broke. I also bought a cheap $10 scarf at a drugstore because it was frigid and even snowed on that trip (Paris in the snow is magical). In Mexico I bought a sharp serated knife as we needed to cut up mangoes in our hotel room - we still use this knife some 20 years later!

14 years ago

lynne

Veteran

Last spring I had my first chance to spend a day in NYC. Limited time, limited budget; what to do? There are many interesting vendors in Central Park that offer things you won't find elsewhere. I bought a lizard woven from banana leaves and turned it into a pin. My I Love New York tshirt was less than $10 and makes me smile.
Ok, ok, I did get to spend an hour or so and a couple hundred dollars at Bloomingdales, too.

14 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

Perhaps cheesy, and very American, but I collect Christmas tree ornaments when i travel then when putting the up each year with family we recollect about the trips and it is so much fun. I find debt emotionally too stressful and would not choose it just to feel well dressed.

14 years ago

Jilly

Active Member

I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in New York regardless of whether you purchase anything or not. I made a similar trip several years ago with a friend, and was just happy to have some time for myself (as you said) free from family responsibilities! Maybe give yourself a budget before you go to pick up one inexpensive item that you won't need to go further into debt for. That way if you plan ahead you won't be as tempted. Hope you have a great time!

14 years ago

harmonica

Veteran

so great to get this input and perspective from you all! your stories and comments have made me reflect on both shopping, souvenirs and travelling experiences. i'm grateful to you all!

anyway -

@modgrl: yes, internet shopping gives loads of opportunities, but I'm not that fund of it because I like to feel the texture and fit. the whole returning process etc is stressful to me.

@meredith: i totally agree that memories doesn't have to be expensive. years ago I just got a pencil sharpener that is still in use and gives me nice memories of an interesting museum. and the budget i'm referring to is my shopping budget, not cafes, museums, flights, hotel, food etc.

@classically casual: business trips are usually just work for me too, from early rise until late night. going to the other side of the globe makes it a bit different. I'm going to allow myself some extra days (due to jetlag + experience), but will still be working 3-4 hour every day. the differense is that I don't spend any time on family duties, so that makes room for work and fun stuff for me. according to my status in the academic system here, there are no bonus/raise/promotion or any other benefits other than getting more insight and knowledge and getting some more work done

@texstyle: you are on to something here. i didn't put it straight because to me it was obvious. I don't intend to buy stuff I don't need or just wish for. I intend to fill wardrobe holes and it doesn't need to be expensive. BUT the fact is that prices where I live is AT LEAST double of american prices, so shopping on sale in USA could be a great a bargain (that sounds like a shopaholic talking :-))

@lynne: your last comment really put a big smile on my face

@Sara A: yes, debt is stressful!

@Jilly: you are so right!

SOLUTION:
1) I will enjoy all the nice low cost NYC stuff (museums, galleries, central park, tourist sights...) to the fullest
2) I will make an accurate budget before leaving
3) I will make a very specific list of shopping items in prioritized order
4) I will consider and decide upon a LIMITED and SPECIFIC credit amount on certain contitions before leaving. I MAY allow myself that IF I can pay back within one month + extend my SMC/SMB with 2 months (that is until august). The reason is that I originally (since 2010) had a 5 year plan for building a wardrobe. I therefor don't mind paying back some credit (all without interest/rate) for some longer time. It is already in my budget.

So - this might not seem totally right to everyone, but I think this will work for me. The most important thing is budgeting and prioritizing before leaving.

Thank you for helping out with this reflective process!

14 years ago

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