Cruise or Furniture?

Hi all,

Some of you know, I am purchasing a condo. I was planning on buying new furniture with my birthday and Christmas money.

Now my mom wants me to go on a cruise with her, and my sister's family (which includes 3 very rambunctious nieces)

I am weighing pros and cons here!

Before I tell you my pros and cons, I want to see what you guys think..

Should I get new furniture for my place (I really do need a new cat-proof couch), or take a needed 7 night caribbean cruise?

cruise!

because, in 10 or 20 years or so, it's something you'll remember fondly, as opposed to some couch...

I vote for new furniture in your home because you will enjoy it every day for years to come. I'm all for savings but you have to have necessities at home first.

Sounds like you might be doing some babysitting if you go on the cruise - tell your Mom you will go if she pays your way.   

I like Swampwitch's idea.

I am on the fence. Is there catproof furniture?

SwampWitch said:

I vote for new furniture in your home because you will enjoy it every day for years to come. I'm all for savings but you have to have necessities at home first.

Sounds like you might be doing some babysitting if you go on the cruise - tell your Mom you will go if she pays your way. :bigwink:  

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that's pretty much what's holding me back.. I love my nieces, but they are way too much. I know I won't be doing any babysitting (I didn't on my last trip with them), but I always feel like I have to do what the kids want, and not me.

By cat-proof furniture, I'm looking for something that does not scratch so easily.. my cats don't scratch the furniture, but their claws do leave marks when they jump on the couch.

Furniture. Look at it this way.....you're buying a new home and you're going to need some things. Not just furniture, but there will be other things, too. I agree about getting your mom to pay your way, if she really wants you to go that badly. You need furniture now....and whatever may come up once you get moved in.

My 2$. It I were a younger person and this was my first home of my own. I would be into the furniture and fixing it up the way I want. If I were older( which I am) I would go for the family experience. No one lives forever.

(Funny side note. I wanted to write ' 2 cents worth' but my keybord no longer has a cent key.  When did that happen? inflation!)

Not a good question to ask me! Since we've been on around 36 cruises, you al l know it's my favorite favorite favorite vacation. Treat yourself to the relaxing cruise and the furniture will come in due time. But of course that's just my opinion. I'm normally a very practical person, but when it comes to cruises that's a different story.

I told my mom that I would rather put the money towards furniture than a cruise. Man oh man she sounded really disappointed and tried hard to cover that she's upset by my decision. I feel terrible now

I don't know what to do!

Curious, where's the cruse going?  Have you ever been on a cruise?

It's a Caribbean cruise- to 4 islands there- i forget which ones. And yes I have been on cruises before- it's been many years. I was at Jamaica last year too

 well it's your decision after thinking long and hard, now best to stick to it... (honestly, if your Mom would be overjoyed by you not joining her you'd be disappointed, right?  just means you've got a good Mom!)

and now: off with you looking at couches and test-scratching them!

Well, doesn't sound like you're missing a trip-of-a-lifetime, so I'd have to say that you made the right decision for you.  Because I'm paranoid and broke, I'd probably put the money into savings for the "unexpected" stuff.  If the money is still there after a certain length of time, then new couch it is!  Again, just saying what my paranoid and broke self would do.

now my niece called me to see if I'm going. How could I disappoint my 8 year old niece?
They are not really pressuring me, but I can't stand to disappoint them, especially my mom. I wish they never asked me. I can't believe I am stressing out over this.

I guess I can keep my shredded worn sad little couch for a few more months and use my bar table for 2 instead of getting a full table for 8. I am just excited to furnish and decorate my new home.

I wish I had the money to do both, then it wouldn't be a second thought.

I am with rogue, how much would it stink if your mom didn't sound a little disappointed? My mom expects us to take all of our vacations with her, and we really don't enjoy it. We like hiking and visiting places that take a lot of walking, and my mom can't keep up. Unless it is at a mall, then she can walk for days.

Personally I would pick furniture today, except that my kitten has me waiting awhile for that.

Peaches, I know all about being broke, I have never been great at managing money. I am very instant gratification.

I gotta go look at new cars now

Draco said:

I told my mom that I would rather put the money towards furniture than a cruise. Man oh man she sounded really disappointed and tried hard to cover that she's upset by my decision. I feel terrible now

I don't know what to do!

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You'll have the furniture long after the cruise is over. 

   ^  This is the answer out of the horse's mouth. You would rather have furniture and not go on the cruise, so l'm sure your family will be happy for you if you explain.

Draco said:

now my niece called me to see if I'm going. How could I disappoint my 8 year old niece?
They are not really pressuring me, but I can't stand to disappoint them, especially my mom. I wish they never asked me. I can't believe I am stressing out over this.

I guess I can keep my shredded worn sad little couch for a few more months and use my bar table for 2 instead of getting a full table for 8. I am just excited to furnish and decorate my new home.

I wish I had the money to do both, then it wouldn't be a second thought.

Click to expand...

Well, you gotta do what's best for you.  Like you haven't thought of that, LOL!  I guess worst case scenario you could buy some pretty throws?

You know, with painting going on, I guess it can be argued that you wouldn't want paint on your new digs.  Hey, I'm working on finding a silver lining here...lol!

Datagrrl said:

 Is there catproof furniture?

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Yes, it is made of this miraculous substance called concrete. Long lasting, scratch-proof but heavy, ugly as heck and very uncomfortable without a very thick cushion.

Draco said:

now my niece called me to see if I'm going. How could I disappoint my 8 year old niece?
They are not really pressuring me, but I can't stand to disappoint them, especially my mom. I wish they never asked me. I can't believe I am stressing out over this.

I guess I can keep my shredded worn sad little couch for a few more months and use my bar table for 2 instead of getting a full table for 8. I am just excited to furnish and decorate my new home.

I wish I had the money to do both, then it wouldn't be a second thought.

Click to expand...

You can disappoint her. She'll get over it. I kind of wonder if somebody put her up to that phone call, to be honest.  And frankly, I'd be very disappointed in my family; they know you just bought a house and need things for the house. And here they are, pressuring you? What's fair about that? The point is, you don't have the money to do both. You've already been on a cruise. I don't see the issue. Stuff for your house? Or cruise? There's no comparison. (Sorry, but you asked)