Okay look at it for what it is:
1)An OPPORTUNITY to visit a part of the world you may never get to again.
2)A short-term debt. Yes to have paid in cash would've been better, but if you hadn't been doing the rapid paydown on the car you'd of had the cash yes? So, you're just a little behind on being out of debt for 2a)an OPPORTUNITY that many would say is once in a lifetime.
3)A Learning Experience: a)culturally b)financially c)geographically. World-trekking is not to be taken lightly. Looks terrific on a resume.
3b1)Would've been better to be in a place to pay cash.
3b2)Did I shop for the best price on the ticket?
3b3)Could you have found a less expensive way to get there? And learned more 3A)culturally? Taken an ox cart perchance? I'm kidding here, I've no knowledge of what alternate means of transportation are available, but perhaps there is some way to get there that would've been cheaper.
4)Now let's face it - you've done it, so stop beating yourself up about it - learn from it, and most of all ENJOY IT and wring every drop of goody you can from the experience. And apply all that you learn from this experience - the debting, the shopping, the actual going - to all your future travels.
4a)In relation to all of the above can you do something educationally while you are there that enhances your career? can be used to take the trip off your taxes?
You can use this line of thought to rationalize your expense or you can use it to think of some practical ways to make the side-trip pay off for you in the long run. Yes?
