I’m in this strange situation in that I have plane tickets that would allow me to go see a very unique show in the U.S. (I live in Europe) by a music group I really like. My life is currently in a situation where I shouldn’t be taking on any unnecessary expenses, but I would be able to pull off the trip if I do it on a tight budget and still be able to get by when I get back home.
I’m worried that the tight budget and feelings of guilt about the selfishness of the decision given the circumstances and an altered perception about my own judgement would ruin the trip if I decided to go. On the other hand, I’ve always wanted to see this group live, specifically in the U.S., and I love their music.
I feel I can’t really bring this up with anyone close to me, so I’m hoping to get some advice from responsible adults here.
I should probably add that I’m living off savings, and the trip would eat up about a month and a half of living expenses, which shortens my available time of figuring out my life without having to default to a plan B of working minimum wage for at least a considerable amount of time (years—I’m currently 25). What worries me is largely just the idea of making a rash decision like that and how it reflects on my judgement. Making big, spontaneous financial decisions isn’t something I generally do, although I do find it easier to justify buying relatively expensive used items if they don’t depreciate much, for example. Part of it is also facing my family and telling them I’m going on a big trip when that’s probably not the first thing they would expect me or any responsible person to do in my situation. They might think traveling is a better way to spend my savings if I’m going to let them run out anyway, but I don’t know how sensible or likely that angle is at all, and it’s not really their reaction but the reality of the decision that worries me.
I could go on about reasons not to go, such as being alone, worrying about money, about the compromises I’d have to make on the trip, about filling out the downtime, especially on a budget, about losing my stuff and other emergencies, but I still get excited about the thought of taking this opportunity now that I have it.
I wouldn’t do such a thing like this myself but if you don’t have underage kids to support, do it. Life is short. Take up a weekend job and make extra money. Find friends who let you crash on their couch. Stay/eat at homeless shelter. Bring a small musical instrument, perform on touristy places with a tip jar. Instead of eating at restaurants, buy cheap canned goods from grocery stores. Have fun then go back and clean up your act before another trip.
The fact that you are questioning this gives you your answer. There is a tone of concern and guilt in your post that leads me to believe you probably wouldn’t be able to enjoy the trip even if you went.
Throughout the first few decades of my working life, I found that I either had time or money to do things, but rarely both at the same time. As a result, I did most of my traveling when funds were limited.
If you won’t be able to enjoy it because of money concerns, don’t do it. (And you need to be honest with yourself on this.) If, otoh, you feel like you have a decent plan for supporting yourself upon return and you are more worried about what people will say, this could be a great time to do it.
I like that you are thinking about the expense in terms of months of living expenses – it shows that you are mindful of the trade-offs.