flipping out about money - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 05-21-2008, 07:47 AM

So we're down to crunch time (I leave in 22 days for my Europe trip) and I've been hit with some crazy news. They've been over paying me (aka, still paying me combat pay) for 3 months now and apparently they're taking 2K out of my bank account which will leave me with about 500 bucks in the bank. I get paid 1 more time before I leave and then again once I'm there for 2 days, but they're pro-rating my pay for the additional overpay, so my paychecks have been like not even $400 and that together is my car & insurance & cable bill!

I am flipping out!

I have deposits on all my hostels, airfare is paid, most transportation is paid for with the exception of going to Munich from Stuttgart on the train and going from Cologne to Frankfurt at the end of my trip via train. And of course the Celine ticket is paid for. I'm going to be there 15 days (4 days in London, 4 days in Germany, 4 days in Poland, 3 days in the Czech Republic)... what is fucking reasonable tight budget? I know I'll be hurting in London the most, but I don't know what I'm looking at expense-wise. I was plannign on doing a bike tour of Munich and I think that's like 15 euros, and the tour to Auschwitz and then Jewish Krakow the next day amounts to like 10 USD and that's all I really had organized. I don't eat 3 meals a day normally and I won't there.

Anyway right now I am FREAKING OUT about money. I think I might have to open a credit card just to go! I almost was just not going to go, but I bought that Celine ticket and can't sell it so I'm fucking going, if I have to sleep outside and eat dirt for 15 days.

Any thoughts, advice, etc?

**MeTurk** · 05-21-2008, 08:34 AM

Couchsurfing. You'll lose the deposit but that's small compared to the full cost of the hostels.

You might also get fed, you could even offer to cook the food for them (as long as you can use their food)

I'd recommend it, if you get with good people they can show you how to live cheap like a local.

**ajb3000** · 05-21-2008, 08:58 AM

I also highly recommend couchsurfing. I've had a few guests and always fed them, shown them around town and taken them to the cheap student drinking spots and such. I've also had similar experiences while staying with others. Plus you have an instant group of new friends when you go out.

I don't know how it works in USA but can you not get a low interest overdraft that can be automatically repaid when you get paid next?

**epicballa** · 05-21-2008, 10:55 AM

let me get this straight, they made a mistake and overpaid you, and then they just took it out of your bank account? that seems pretty f'd up.

**Elizabeth** · 05-21-2008, 11:04 AM

wow nicole that sucks!

If you're going the CS route start sending your CS requests now. Make sure you don't overly talk about money and make sure you read about how to write a couch request cuz people can sniff out if you've sent a mass request and whatnot and will deny you on that basis. Try to fill out your profile as much as possible.

You probably will want some nights in hostels b/c 95% of the time you have to leave with your host when they go to work and if u wanna stay out all night you can't.

Instead of taking the train you may want to look for rideshares on the german version of craigslist (forgot what its called at the moment)

**pinknic38** · 05-21-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by epicballa

let me get this straight, they made a mistake and overpaid you, and then they just took it out of your bank account? that seems pretty f'd up.

yeah well that's the way the military does things.

I wonder if there is a way to get a different return ticket, to come back earlier...

**epicballa** · 05-21-2008, 11:57 AM

when i last went to europe i was able to change the date of my return flight for something like a $50 fee. i'm not sure if all airlines allow this.

**aliz** · 05-21-2008, 02:38 PM

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd get a credit card for the trip. You have worked so hard for this and I know you've been looking forward to it for so long, I don't want to you feel like this whole holiday is a burden just because you paid for it and you 'have to' go. Even if you do the whole trip on the cheap, I think having a little bit of credit to fall back on would make it more relaxing when you get back. I've always thought 'real credit cards' (ie, the ones where you spend money you don't have, rather than the credit/debit kind I have) are a terrible idea, but in this case it seems like the solution for you. this way you can at least postpone this freakout until you get back. You really should enjoy this holiday

**pinknic38** · 05-21-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aliz

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd get a credit card for the trip.

I know!!! Thanks, though. It makes me sick to have to worry about money because normally I am very good with my money and always make sure I have some, and reward myself when necessary and this whole thing is stupid. Had they told me in February this would happen, I wouldn't have spent like that! Killing me.

I talked to my mom forever about finances and she said the same thing. This very little pay is killing me but by July I will be back to normal. My only bills are car, insurance, and cable, which all together is like 400ish. Once I'm in school I will have even less because I'm going to be living with my aunt for free the first year. If I end up moving to Hawaii instead of Ohio, then I'll be banking from housing pay and cost of living pay anyway, so I will be able to pay it off in less than a year.

So I went through USAA and opened up a Master Card... I dunno if they take that in Europe - hope they do! I'll have to figure out how I can use it in an ATM. Sigh. Just when I spent a whole year debt-free, now I have a car payment AND a credit card payment. LOL. Oh well, my recent college grad friends are worse off than me so I think I can take it. A good trip is worth eating Ramen and drinking tap water for a few months haha.

Though I am going to try to Couch Surf while I'm in London to cut back a little, thanks for the suggestions guys, I didn't even think about that. I'm not trying to go out there and max out a credit card. And a lot of the things I want to do (like look around and take pictures and see some sweet shit) is free. Just like you said though, this is my big trip and I don't want to spend the whole time worrying about over drawing my bank account. I think I am going to talk to my boss who is good at budgeting and try to figure out some sort of system so I am not totally reliant upon that.

**offhegoes03** · 05-21-2008, 04:42 PM

I usually do not like the idea of spending money that I don't actually have in my bank account, but since you've already invested in this trip, you should definitely enjoy it. It sounds like you are responsible and you will have money coming in when you get back, so go for it. I'm pretty sure Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout Europe.

**pinknic38** · 05-21-2008, 05:11 PM

I don't like to either, which is why I don't have credit cards but this is my reward to myself after a 15 month deployment and I'm not going to give myself 12 ulcers over money.

And it isn't like I'm going to treat it like "oh look, free money!" either. But I would like to live on more than granola bars and water for 15 days haha.

**Canadian Bacon** · 05-21-2008, 05:17 PM

God damn, that's rough Nicole.

Now might be the time to check any military special rates for loans in banks, or credit unions? Maybe you can get some credit ahead of time?

When is the next time you get paid? Can you count on a boost while on the road?

Alternatively you can grovel to your friends or family... I'm sure at least one of them will pity your situation after serving the nation for 15 months... maybe?

Good luck
CB

**pinknic38** · 05-21-2008, 05:21 PM

I can hit up my mom for like 100 or 200 bucks but that's about it.

I get paid at the end of May/beginning of June, then I get paid like 3 days into my trip then not again til like 3 days after I get back. Brutal.

**travelchick75** · 05-21-2008, 05:30 PM

It just doesnt make sense that they take out a lump sum of money just like that, they should at least offer some sort of payment plan or something for the overpayment, what if you had a family and other obligations and all of a sudden your negative 2000 bucks..that sucks dude and its unfair

**maracle** · 05-21-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

My only bills are car, insurance, and cable, which all together is like 400ish.

haha, when I read this in your original post I thought it said "car insurance and cable bill"...and my next thought was Damn, it must be like demolition derby when nicole is unleashed on the streets if insurance is that kind of money!!

If you've never had a credit card before, cash advances cost a fortune! You might see if you can find some small shops or ask a grocery stores if they'll give you some cash back with a purchase. A lot wont since they pay a percentage but who knows, it would be a lot cheaper.

Quote:

Though I am going to try to Couch Surf while I'm in London to cut back a little

Party at Lauren's house!! (birmingham isn't that far...)

**mbo108** · 05-21-2008, 06:38 PM

^^ I agree with that! I would definitely NOT take cash advances on your credit card. Use it whenever you can to pay for things (hotels, meals, bar tabs, Celine concert t-shirts, etc) but dont use it for cash.

Contrary to most people here, I love using my credit card. Now granted, I do have the cash in my bank account to pay it off, but still, three words here: Frequent Flier Milers. I love my United Visa card. I use it to pay basically everything and just make sure I'm vigilant about paying it off. Plus, its always good to have a credit card in your name so you can start to establish credit in your name.

**DC_Jessica** · 05-21-2008, 08:39 PM

I use my credit card all the time for regular payments like my ridiculous COBRA health care. It will be great. Rewards? (Hell yeah Target gift card!!)

And you just need to go on your trip - for the WHOLE time you had planned - and enjoy yourself. You're not an ass about money, you're not going to be like the mornons who put themselves in near-suicidal debt because they had to have a $4 latte a day. You will be good. And like you said, it's a matter of time before you're paid up.

Also, has anyone seen the SNL skit that is about a "program" on finances called "Don't buy shit you can't afford"??

Whups, it was "stuff" but I'm dirty.
http://consumerist.com/consumer/clip...ord-252491.php

**raoulduke** · 05-21-2008, 09:01 PM

Yeah sounds like a credit card is the way to go. Don't let it stop you from having a good time. A little interest on a credit card is just another travel expense.

Also there is a free bike tour in Munich, so you can just be stingy and not tip if you want.

**epicballa** · 05-21-2008, 09:48 PM

credit cards are amazing for people that have the discipline to use them as an extension of their bank account, meaning they only charge things that they currently have the money to pay for. some of the rewards programs are amazing. so far i've been able to get a roundtrip ticket from nyc to la and an ipod by using the cards :D

SGRHewitt · 05-22-2008, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DC_Jessica

You're not an ass about money, you're not going to be like the mornons who put themselves in near-suicidal debt because they had to have a $4 latte a day.

So I totally thought that said.. "You're not going to be like the mormons."

I didn't know the Mormons had a coffee problem. lol