So as some of you know (from when I Twittered about it), J is going to NYC with a few friends to see a concert and to visit a friend who just moved out there. He's going in mid-August for 4 or 5 days. He's got the flight for free (his parents had some airline credit that they aren't able to use before it expires), and he's staying with his friend when he's out there. In order to pay for his concert ticket ($300 !!!) and his spending money, he's trying to liquidate some of his possessions on Craigslist.

It makes me want to go somewhere now. I know I'm going to Alaska in August, but I'd love to get away with a few friends somewhere cool before our Big Trip. But unfortunately most of my friends either 1) don't have the money (either are in debt or trying to save), 2) are in school, or 3) would rather go with their partner instead, or at least as a couples trip.

The timing is off. When I was getting out of debt, all my friends were still freely spending money and going into more debt. Now that I'm out of debt and I finally have extra money to take fun trips, my friends are now trying to pay off their debt. Or save for a wedding or a future child. Or retirement. Or they're unemployed b/c of the recession.

But, it's okay. I'm realistic. Even though I really really want to go on a fun trip, it's not really smart to be planning more trips when I've already got such a big one to look forward to. I need to concentrate on saving my money, and hoarding enough cash so that I'll have something to live on once we get back. Nothing would be worse than coming back from such a huge, life changing experience and having to stress out about not having any money to live on.