With Thanksgiving next week and Christmas right around the corner I've found myself more solemn about the holidays this year. Being in a committed relationship we split holidays between our families. It's hard to make the time spent with each even, it's difficult because my family lives 6+ hours away! Which is even more difficult when you're trying to save money for vacation in March & your car isn't the greatest. I'm not sure our car can make the trip, especially since it needs a bunch of work done. So we are trying to figure out a cheap way to travel. Possibly barrow a car or maybe see if my Dad would drive us there & back (he travels for work so he may be able to schedule something to be near our area). Plus, everyone keeps asking what I want for Christmas! I truly don't know what to say. I don't really need anything. I could use some extra money to help pay for our upcoming trip, but most people don't like to give money. I could use a new car! Although, I wouldn't expect that from my relatives 😉 So I'm working on my Christmas Wish List and so far it's not very long. 

Last night I was on the phone with my Mom, talking about all of this. Mainly stressing about how in the world we can even go see my family this year. I understand that they all miss me, believe me I miss them too! But when I'm being complained to about how little we get to see one another and how spending MY money on a vacation is wasteful when it could be used for a new car or rent a car because this problem will just keep happening until then... Etc, etc. It does NOT make me feel excited for the holidays! I am twenty-three years old. I have lived on my own for almost four years. I'm pretty sure what I spend MY money on is no longer any of my parents concern. So what if I go out to eat every once & awhile or I post on Facebook about my boyfriend spoiling me with something?!?! We make pretty good money. We aren't always the best at saving, but it's been almost a year since we were living paycheck to paycheck! I think we deserve to spend our extra money how WE see fit. It really irritates me that my family acts like I don't wish to see them more than 1-2 times a year. It's expensive to travel! Is it wrong that my savings are going to a vacation with my boyfriend that we have been planning for over a year and a half? That he has also been paying off on my engagement ring? That we are also working hard to pay off my student loans and credit card debt?! We are trying to move forward in our relationship & make a better life for ourselves. I feel like my family doesn't understand this. A new car is not a priority because ours works fine for what we need it for. Traveling to see my family is something I would LOVE to do, but not at the expense of ruining our car or not going on our long time coming & much needed vacation! I feel like our gift this year could be money to come down or rent a car, but they don't seem to like that idea. I'm at a loss as to what they want from me. I just feel as though I'm not treated as an adult and it's truly irritating!

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated!