Another financial question

[peterj]

I have learnt a lot from my previous posts on this forum but I have one more. Currently me and my gf have 3 years before we plan to love with each other this is due to both of us having 3 years left of uni. When we finish I will be 26 and she will be 23. We plan to hopefully saving during uni live with our parents then go from there. I have car loan debt. My girl want to go on a holiday next year to Thailand. The prob is I am planning on paying off my debt before uni so I can solidly save for our future but I dunno how to tell her we planned this a while ago but I have just decided I want to rid my debt. I feel once we finish uni we will well i will be older than what I would want to be finishing uni but what can I do. What should I do wih this problem

[jIM_Ohio]

talk to gf
its OK to enjoy life and travel
being out of debt is also a good thing

you need to find balance

[Merch]

I agree with Jim. Just talk to your gf. Maybe there is a third option. instead of an expensive vacation maybe something cheaper. I think the key thing is that you need to have honest communication.

[Broken Arrow]

The prob is I am planning on paying off my debt before uni so I can solidly save for our future but I dunno how to tell her we planned this a while ago but I have just decided I want to rid my debt.

While I would normally completely agree with such a plan, the thing is, you're not single anymore. When you are in a relationship, you are in a team. For better and worse, it also means that you alone can't always just decide to do something, no matter how good of an idea it is. (And for what it's worth, I do think debt reduction is a great idea.)

Now, maybe it's crazy to think of it that way with your own debts and with "just" a girlfriend, but communication and compromising is a vital skill in any relationship, and individual debts probably shouldn't be viewed as individual either.

As the other have mentioned, I'm sure you'll find a balance in there somehow.

Finally, there are some seriously gorgeous hotels in Thailand. Wow. Some day, maybe I'll get the opportunity to head over there myself.

[lovcom]

PeterJ, pay off the debt first. Work first, play later.

See if the GF can brainstorm with you to find ways to kill he debt first, and then to reward yourselves with a trip to Thailand.

Going on vacation on credit is not smart, and not a good way to lead into a new marraige. If she complains, this proves she lacks the materity for anything more then just being a GF.

You sound like a smart and sensible young man, otherwise you'd not pose such a question here...stay sensible and keep feelings out of such decisions.

[snafu]

Does GF wish to see family and friends in Thailand? Can you both earn extra money to pay for airfare? Once in Thailand you can manage on $20. a day if you are willing to stay in 3 star business style hotel and eat Thai food.

[zeldo]

Well talk to her. It is important you get this straight, if you are the kind of person that likes to save and she is the kind of person that likes to spend then it could be a problem.

[LuxLiving]

You could both agree to 'at-home' dates for the next couple of years and/or take on extra shifts at work, sell things, etc., to make both of your dreams come true - debt reduction and travel. Hitch up together and pull the same direction, and I'll bet you could do both - IF you can communicate well enough and stay on task.