Compromise
Posted on 06. Jul, 2010 by Kirsty in Blog, Saving
I have only two more weeks at work! YAY!
I have only been at work a month, but it is my birthday/graduation next week and then in three weeks time I’m heading to Devon with my parents for a final farewell. This is brilliant for me, however Poi (who started work around 4 years before me) still had another 4 weeks to go!
Whilst both of us are counting down the days until we get on the plane to Beijing, recently we have been chatting about what we may miss whilst travelling, the conclusion: friends and family. We’re incredibly sociable people and whilst we are away everyone else will be getting on with their lives, one of our friends will have had a baby whilst others will be moving on up the career ladder. It’s scary to think life will be moving on without us, we’ll miss out on the group gossip or that brilliant night out and who knows what else.
No More skiing holidays...
That saying, we know we’re incredibly lucky to be planning the adventure of a lifetime. However it has made us realise we want to spend as much time as possible with our friends and family before we leave. The problem is whatever we do, can’t cost the earth because – we are saving! It’s a difficult limbo to be in, we can’t say yes to a weekend bender because the money spent would allow us, for example, to travel Cambodia for a few weeks.
So the word of the day: compromise. This is a difficult thing for two twenty year olds who love to go out drinking with our friends. It has been difficult to snap out of the normal ‘living for the weekend’ mode, which has been our routine for so long. Blowing £50/60 each a weekend is too much, but it is hard to persuade friends to stay in all the time. Most don’t really get the come round and ‘do nothing’ thing.
Our friends are also our biggest enemies, they are constantly asking us to do things, and convincing us it will only cost us a small amount. Both of us hate missing out on things and before recently would end up being persuaded to do little things like go for a fry up, or pub lunch which then soon adds up. I think sometimes they find it difficult to understand as it’s never been us to say no and there not use to it.
...More house golf
We know we are doing the right thing going away on this trip and nothing could change our minds about that but so often it’s hard to say no. Both of our lives evolve around friends, we want to enjoy the time we have left without blowing the budget. How have you managed/managing the last 6 weeks before a trip and the compromise that comes with it?
An English couple travelling China and South East Asia since August 2010. 
Caz Makepeace
07. Jul, 2010
I know exactly how you feel. Craig and I love to party as well, and I hate missing out on a night out with your friends. Anything for fun.
To be honest, I can’t say I’ve ever really limited myself. If I wanted to go out I did and just never worried about the money. I always seemed to have enough.
Just limit it to one night a week or fortnight, look for drinking nights in where its much cheaper. Beers in the park, happy hours, boxed wine (goon for when you go to Oz)
Just keep your eye fixed on your goal, think about those two weeks in Cambodia and it will make it easier for you to say no. Just don’t flat out deny yourself or you might start resenting your dream.
Always remember that you will have plenty of fun nights out with new friends on the road.
Poi & Kirsty
07. Jul, 2010
Yeah that’s what we are doind, but it did take a long time to get to this point. Back in March/April time we knew we should be saving, but travelling was still quite far off and so the temptation of a weekend bender won.
Now we only go out once a week and have to chose which night sounds the most fun.
Kirsty
Ian [Eager Existence]
07. Jul, 2010
I found that by giving up alcohol, I saved SOOO much money.
I still went to parties, I just didn’t spend up big on booze.
I had to restrict eating out with friends at restaurants though.
Poi & Kirsty
07. Jul, 2010
Yeah, I gave up alcohol for my finals and it saved me so much money. I think giving up the alcohol is easier than going out for meals, but for Poi it is the other way round. He would much prefer to spend his last tenner on some beer than some food!
(at the moment we’re doing neither!)
Kirsty
Eli
07. Jul, 2010
Yay, house golf! Kirsty, I’m right there with you and Jen and I have been fighting the urge to do our usual dinners out and late night beerfests, but the saving of money is the most important thing. Your trip is really coming up quick!
My biggest saving revelation has been…Peanut butter sandwiches! Wierd, huh?
Andi
07. Jul, 2010
This is definitely a difficult situation. You just have to accept the fact that your friends and family just can’t understand how important it is to save every penny right now and that by saying no has nothing to do with them and how much you care about them. Make sure to bring them back a little present when you return.
I’m a July baby too! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
ayngelina
07. Jul, 2010
Don’t cut it out just cut back.
Allocate so much money each week and stick to it by choosing what is the most worthwhile. That way you can still see people, but still feel like you are saving.
Erica
08. Jul, 2010
Or just have one beer instead of [insert number here].
Luckily there are some quality cheap beers here so I don’t miss out too much. I try and only go out during Happy Hours or specials in general. Just eat at home before you go out!
Emily
08. Jul, 2010
You’re very right–leaving behind friends and family is SO hard. And they definitely can be frustrating when they tempt you to spend money that you’re trying to save for travel! But you will appreciate them so much more when you get home and have spent some time away from them. And they will all be so happy for you when you return from a wonderful adventure, even if they don’t act happy about it now