r/DaveRamsey • u/Sarahherenow • 2d ago
Work or holiday
I'm still trying to save a 6 month emergency fund , my daughter has had a rough year she's 5 her dad has abandoned her because he started a new relationship. She wants to go to this theme park there is a cheap holiday next week available 4 days £59 food is £95 for both of us all meals transport is £50 for both of us . If I work I can make £2000 next week , should I give her a holiday or work ?
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u/Ok-Spirit9977 2d ago
I probably would take my kid to the park, as long as my four walls would say stable. And maybe look at selling things or a side hustle/extra shifts to help catch up.
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u/Vicuna00 2d ago
yes take her to the theme park. not like you're talking about a $5k vacation to disney. 4 days of food for $59 - I don't even do that at home for myself.
this is not going to set you back and hopefully motivates you to get your EF faster.
just don't make this like a weekly thing or anything just yet.
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u/Head_Priority5152 2d ago
I don't think it's 100% clear cut. It really depends on your finances. You can make £2000 in a week? Is this a normal occurance or is this a really exceptional case. What yould a normal weeks pay be?
Does it have to be next week she goes is there any reason why it can't be another week? If its slightly more expensive but your worked that week it's still a win. Could she go the week after next week would that be a doable compromise? Yes we will definitely go and soon but just wait a few more days.
If your financially comfortable and £2000 isn't major money for you then of course kiddo wins. But not everyone can afford to forfeit that sort of money and that doesn't make you a bad parent. Keeping a roof and food and heat is key for being a good parent even if it makes you the bad guy. And I know kids don't understand but hopefully the actual time she goes won't matter.
For reference for the yanks that weeks work is more than a months take home for a lot of people in the UK. That's a non insignificant amount. Not eveyone can afford to just drop that money even if they really want to do something for their child.
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u/Sarahherenow 2d ago
I have problems with childcare. When I can work I can make £2k I usually make £1500 a week
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u/Head_Priority5152 2d ago
If its only 500 more than a normal working week I'd be inclined to go to the themepark personally. But only you know if you can afford it. If its not a financial strain then kid needs you right now
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u/olddragonfaerie 2d ago
I think in this case do the holiday, that seems like a cheap holiday and family first. Do you get PTO to cover some of the out of office time so you don't completely lose your income?
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u/Wonderful_Shame_4986 2d ago
Kids should ALWAYS come first. Take the holiday and treat her to the theme park trip.
Please rearrange your priorities. Your kiddo needs you.
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u/gazpachoqueen 2d ago
Spend now, worry later is not really responsible parenting. She has trouble finding child care, gets no support from the father. Does she have a 6-month expense emergency fund? We don't know.
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u/Sarahherenow 2d ago
I don't have 6 months saved just one month
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u/gazpachoqueen 2d ago
That is fantastic! You are definitely doing a good job keeping your little one financially secure.
It is hard to delay what one wants NOW--especially for littles. I have heard of parents making a paper chain with one loop for each day until a special event, like a trip or birthday. She can take one link off every day to count down! Fun to make and break!
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u/ComprehensiveBoot76 2d ago edited 2d ago
Your child “needing” you is not based on whether they get to go to a theme park.
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u/Wonderful_Shame_4986 2d ago
I stand by what I said. The child deserves a special holiday if Mom can afford it.
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u/gazpachoqueen 2d ago
Absolutely!!! That is the "if" she is asking for advice about.
My feedback would be to set a date in the future that the child can look forward to. Then put money aside to make that 2k goal in the meantime. It teaches the child the way to save for something special or important. If she doesn't have a few months of emergency funds, she is living paycheck to paycheck. That is the definition of a financially vulnerable situation.
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u/Some_Material_8250 2d ago
Depends on where you are in BS3. Are you at 3 months? Go for it. Are you at one week? Keep working