Question For You All? Would You Do This?

Question

My friends&I are taking a trip&one of my friends only wants to go and stay for a day and a night. The place we're going is around three hours away, and we're having to take a rental car in addition to one of my friend's cars. Also, my friend wants to have things convenient and doesn't want to stay in any hotels that are not downtown. That's all well and good for her, but for us, the cost of the hotels downtown are very expensive (of course). This hotel is going to come out totaling almost $300 a night for us, and we don't even get to check in until 3 p.m.! So we're paying this amount of money, for a hotel room that we won't even get to have for 24 hours...since we are leaving the following day& have to check out at 12. This is not even taking into account the expenses for the activities we plan to do. I calculated it,&it's going to cost me almost $400 for a one night trip. I want to back out, but don't want to spoil the trip for my friends. Do you think i'm being too cheap?

For the sake of preserving friendships, would you just suck it up and go anyway if you were me?

Answer 1

You are being financially logical, possibly more logical than can be expected of others at your age.

I wouldn't say that they would understand, however. In the harsh world of socializing, you can become an outcast just as easily as you became friends. Even if that doesn't happen, you can remain "not cool" for a long period of time. It has happened to me.


This is would I would do:

Be as persuasive as you possibly can in convincing them to consider cheaper options. Spearhead the initiative if you have to. Do research on that downtown area, and find a cheap hotel that's as close as possible to downtown.

Then, convince them that this is the best option, and that you've thought it all out.

If they reject this, then it is up to you. Personally, I would go, but that doesn't mean you have to. One other factor you have to consider is how much money you have available to spend and how much you'll likely spend in the near future.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

YES, you should definitely go, but only go if you forget all about the money. If you are holding a silent grude about it you'll ruin it for yourself AND your friends. If you don't go they will have a great time you won't be part of and remember. It's not like you go on trips like this every week is it?

There is a big difference in being close to the action if you can park the cars and walk. If you are in a cheaper hotel a ways out and you end up spending a coupke hours in traffic on your short weekend, then you wasted time that you can't get back.

I have had to make that decision a few times, and I can tell you that you will have fun if you just accept that it is the cost of the activity.

By the way, if you are paying for individual rooms, and there is no reservation yet, check out the online travel sites like orbitz.com, hotels.com, travelocity.com, cheaptickets.com, hotwire.com, and expedia.com. Also once you find the hotel you want, go to that hotel's site and see if they have a special. I have saved $100/night on a 7 night stay before that way. Also have upgraded from a 2 star hotel to a 4 star hotel, and paid LESS for the better hotel this way. Very often, you can get a king size bed in a deluxe room for the price of a single in the back with no windows... Takes a bit of time online to play travel agent, but you can save a bundle and get better digs for less. Compare all the sites against each other, and you will find a great price somewhere.

Another option might be to split up and stay at different places since you have 2 cars, but that will kind of ruin the bonding.

$400 is a lot of money, but I am assuming that you can afford it or you'ld never have agreed in the first place.

The art of compromise dictates that you can't always have it your preferred way. Next trip YOU plan and then set the itinerary.

Have fun, or gracefully back out, but either way do not hold a grudge at all!

Answer 3

No I wouldn't go . That is a waste of money . Tell them you don't want to waste your money and if they want you to go they have to plan it for another weekend when everyone is able to go the whole weekend . She know she is wrong for even suggesting a trip for a day . If you do go you guys should just leave things in car and go do your fun and leave . Good Luck if it was me I would back out but do what you feel is best . Stop worrying what others would think of you and how they will feel cause you will be 400 dollars richer then them .

Answer 4

No. True friends would understand that you are unhappy with the situation. My mom has this same problem a lot with some of her friends. She just simply tells them she can't afford to go, can't get off work.... Or that she just doesn't agree with the plans.
From reading what you wrote, I think you would be miserable if you went. Maybe you could tell them you'll try to make the next trip. Take the money you were going to use on the trip & go on a big shopping spree while your friends are away. Or save it for the next trip.

Answer 5

No, you're not cheap. Money doesn't just fall out of the sky, unfortunately. If you can't afford it, or just don't want to blow that much money you're not being cheap, you're being responsible, reasonable, logical, and so on. Your friends, if they don't understand, are being selfish. Let it roll off your shoulders. If they have that much money then they'll be able to afford to make up the difference of you not going. At least you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that you'll have the money you need to pay your bills, necessities, or have it for any emergency that may come up. Trust me, I know it happens. As soon as you get some extra cash, and you think you're getting ahead, something happens, and you'll wish you still had it. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Answer 6

talk to your other friends about the cost and tell them that you may not be able to go but you wish them the best, and that maybe next time you'll have enough to go. Or you can do your own research, find a hotel that is cheaper, or something fun like a little bed and breakfast, besides some of the most best neighborhoods are the funkiest...find one near a university or one with pubs and clubs. Do what feels best for you, but i think you should go and have fun...you only live once.

Answer 7

That is a lot of money. I bet none of them have bothered to calculate the cost, and if they have they probably want to back out too but are just too intimidated. Bring it up, for $400 you could stay in Mexico for a week.
If you are bothering to rent a car you don't have to stay downtown, you can drive farther out and stay for cheep. Hopefully if you bring this up others will agree and you can all change the plan.

Answer 8

I would be honest and tell them how you feel. If they are a true friend they will understand, and if they don't then maybe their friendship isn't as loyal as it should be, seek new friends in this case if I were you. And NO, you are not being cheap at ALL!!! Life is expensive, and if you can't afford it, you simply can't afford it, nothing wrong with that.. It's the truth, so emphasis that to them!! Good Luck!! :0)

Answer 9

NO NOT AT ALL! That is completely UNREASONABLE. omfg. I would try some nogociating, honestly. you still want to go on the trip, im sure..sooo talk to them about this. sounds like your friends are being bitchy about it. going for one night is hardly worth it.. wth are you going to do. talk it out. hope you go & that you wont have to spend 400$. & anyway.. for 300$ a night.. your probably not even going to be in the hotel except to sleep.. sheesh.

Answer 10

Absolutely not. It makes perfect sense to not want to pay for a room that you're barely even going to be in. What about spliting the cost?