Spoiling My Girlfriend with a Dream Vacation
As I approach two years with my girlfriend, I realized we’ve never taken a vacation together. With our long-distance relationship, we usually spend our time off visiting each other. But this year, I wanted to surprise her with a luxurious cruise – something she’s never experienced before. The idea of lounging by the pool, watching the waves, and savoring delicious food seemed like a fantasy come true. However, cruises often come with a hefty price tag, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per person per night.
The Challenge: Making it Affordable
Determined to make this dream a reality, I embarked on a mission to find an affordable option. I scoured the internet, comparing prices on various vacation planning websites, including Last Minute Travel, Cruise Critic, and Costco. I was shocked to discover that prices for the same cruise could vary significantly, with some websites offering the same interior room for $1,039 and others for $649. To avoid being tracked and having prices increased, I used incognito mode on my browser.
Side Hustling My Way to Savings
To accumulate the necessary funds, I ramped up my side hustles. As a regular side hustler, I normally do photo shoots, art modeling, and occasional theater gigs. However, I knew I needed to save more, so I increased my workload. I negotiated with my photographer to shoot more frequently, added an extra art modeling session, and landed a lucrative theater gig that paid $450. These extra efforts put me well on my way to affording the cruise.
Picking Up Extra Shifts and Cutting Back
In addition to side hustling, I picked up extra shifts at the club where I work. Although it was exhausting, I reminded myself of the fun my girlfriend and I would have on the cruise, which motivated me to push through. I also implemented a spending ban on personal appearance expenses for 30 days, saving around $100 that I could allocate towards the cruise.
A Windfall Bonus
When an unexpected $600 windfall came my way, I decided to treat myself and my girlfriend by putting it towards the vacation fund. This finally allowed me to purchase the tickets, making our dream cruise a reality.
The Countdown Begins
With just a few days until our departure, I’m excited to experience the cruise’s amenities, from dance classes to live performances. I’ll be tracking my expenses to see if it’s worth every dollar. Stay tuned for a follow-up article on the real cost of our dream vacation.
About the author: Mandy Pura is a 22-year-old with two Bachelor’s degrees, trying to figure out her next move. By day, she’s a health-conscious coffee lover, and by night, a stripper. She enjoys circus acrobatics, mindfulness, and vegan cuisine.
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