When I booked our trip, I shared that I paid approximately $4,550, which included the following:

• Round trip airfare x 2
• Round trip transportation from/to airport x 2
• 4 star hotel in Paris for 7 nights
• Bus tour, river Seine cruise, tour and lunch at Eiffel Tower x 2
• 2 days hop off/hop on sightseeing bus x 2
• 2 days Paris pass to all museums and monuments x 2
• 2 days unlimited metro and bus pass x 2
• 1 day trip to London with transportation and a full day itinerary x 2

During the planning and prep stage, I spent approximately $125.  I bought an international adapter, a book on France, and a few clothes from Ross.

Prior to leaving the U.S., I withdrew $500 from the ATM and exchanged it for 380 euros at the airport.  This amount included foreign exchange fees.  In the future, I will do this at my own bank to avoid the extra fees.

The day we traveled to London (mid-way vacation), I withdrew 160 euros from the ATM with my debit card.  Shortly after, my bank (USAA) sent a text that read $200.90 US based on the exchange rate for the day.  When the transaction posted to my checking account, it read $202.51 US, including the exchange rate and my bank’s 1% foreign exchange fee.

When we arrived in London, I exchanged a few euros for pounds.  I don’t remember the exact euro-to-pound exchange rate, but let’s just say the dollar is weaker than the euro and the euro is weaker than the pound.  Basically, our dollar is worth diddly-squat around the world! LOL  Needless to say, I spent all of my pounds in one day.

Back in Paris, the euros I had on hand were more than enough for the rest of our trip.  All of our sightseeing expenses were covered, so we only had to spend money on food, drinks, tips, and shopping.  Which reminds me…I used a credit card (USAA) to pay for my shoes that were on sale for 64 euros (reg. 129 euro).  When the transaction posted to my credit card, it read $82.02 US, including the exchange rate and my bank’s 1% foreign exchange fee.  The 1% fee for this transaction will be offset by the 1% cash back I earn with this card.

At the end of our vacation, almost all of our foreign currency was gone.  I came home with approximately 8 euros (paper and coins) and 5 pounds (all coins) as souvenirs.

In total, I spent approximately $5,500 for 2 people to enjoy a 7 day vacation in Paris and London.

• Reservations and Activities: $4,550
• Trip Prep: $125
• Cash Conversion: $700
• Shopping Transaction Conversion: $81

Based on my planned budget, this total amount was as expected.  Besides, in celebration of my daughter’s 18^th birthday, high school graduation, and our first international trip as mother and daughter, it was worth every dime. :-)

I was just sitting here thinking about all the miscellaneous expenses I will incur as a result of these monumental events and other things I need/want as well:

Me

• entire wardrobe (down 30 lbs, only 27 lbs from my happy weight)
• wii fit plus and balance board
• polar heart rate monitor
• glasses
• 1/4 carat diamond earrings
• clear bubble umbrella
• Girlfriends or Sex in the City complete DVD set

BabyGirl

• shoes and accessories for prom
• dress for graduation
• class ring, yearbook, and other senior year memorabilia
• colorful set of luggage on wheels
• mini fridge, microwave, printer, and TV
• dorm necessities

Home

• professional packers/movers
• bedroom set (after move)
• blender/juicer

Vacation

• portable DVD player (?)
• adapter for outlets
• something to carry passport, money, etc.
• pocket-size translator book
• lots of stuff I can’t think of right now

I have an estimated budget for most of these things but not all of them.  When I look at the number I have so far, it’s enough to let me know that I will be bleeding money for the next few months. Ouch!  *passing the collection plate*

Now that BG’s braces have been removed, our annual health care expenses have returned to normal.  We are reasonably healthy so I’d estimate that we spend ~$500 or less in out of pocket health care expenses per year. Although I still contribute the annual estimate to my FSA, I’m learning that the hassle of filing multiple claims for various little expenses is not worth the few dollars in tax savings.  Because of a recent experience, I’ve decided that I’m NOT contributing to FSA anymore.

I submitted a claim on 3/17 that has YET to be paid.  Yes, it is now almost one month later.  The claim was for a health related item they didn’t think was medically necessary.  Hmm…so FSA administrators are MDs now? Hmph!  They denied my claim and told me I had to submit a letter of medical necessity from my doctor.  Ok, fine.

I was not about to pay a $20 copay to get reimbursed for a pending $15 claim.  During one of my normal doctor visits, I mentioned the issue and my doctor wrote a note on her Rx notepad.  It had her name and office information, her signature, my name, date, and an explanation for why I needed the health related item.  I resubmitted the claim and attached the doctor’s note on 3/24.

On 4/9, yes over TWO weeks later, FSA sends me an email that says my doctor’s note was INSUFFICIENT and they will require:

1. “a specific medical diagnosis and CPT code;
2. specific treatment required;
3. how the recommended treatment will alleviate the medical condition and
4. the period of time the treatment is necessary.
5. complete physician information is also required including name, signature, state license number and phone number”

WHAT THE FUGG!

I submitted the claim TWICE. Now they’re making me jump through hoops to get MY money?? I don’t think so!  My FSA account has a balance of ~$260. I need new specs and we both need dental cleanings soon.  I’m going to file those claims, drain the account, then tell them to KMA!

Lesson Learned: Unless your plan has a simple reimbursement process, your medical expenses are consistent or fairly high, and the tax savings are worth the effort, FSA may not be for you.

Is there any way at all you can get a short-term extension on your current lease, even if you have to pay a little extra for a few months? If your current landlord would let you extend for three months, albeit at the new higher rental rate, you would spend a little extra money for those three months, but save yourself SO MANY hours of frustration. I don’t think I would want to switch to that long of a commute or change my work schedule, and being that much farther away from school/activities/friends during the last two months of senior year would be really rough on your daughter. So, given an either/or, I don’t know what I’d do. I would just try to delay for a few months.

This comment made me think about several critical moments for BG.  Moments when being surrounded by friends before, during, and after will be so very important to her:

• Prom Night: the girls will want to oooh and aaaah over dresses, discuss who to go with, play in hair and makeup, couples/groups meet at one person’s house for pictures, etc.
• Award Ceremonies and Parties: now is the time to be recognized for 4 years of hard work and celebrate.
• Graduation Day: she and her friends will obsess about it for weeks leading up to the actual day.
• All Night Grad Party: a party that doesn’t end until 5am.  Yes, I’m a chaperon!  But this is IT for the seniors, so deciding what to wear and who to be seen with are all a part of the last and final impression.

I didn’t fully consider the impact it would have on ME:

• I already hate my commute. Why on earth would I add another hour to the mix?
• I already hate getting up in the morning. Why on earth would I want to get up two hours earlier?
• I’m already not a morning person; some even say I’m evil until 10am. Why make the work environment worse?
• I love my 3 day weekends.  If I went back to 5 days/week, I’d surely resent the situation within a week.

After giving it more thought (thanks again guys), I came to the conclusion that BG’s senior year experiences and my peace of mind were significantly more important than any other negative (reduction in square footage) or any potential benefit (cost savings), even with all other things considered equal.

But…there was still a problem.  Here was the final piece of the dilemma puzzle:

• If I waited until after BG graduated, would a similar opportunity still exist at the exact same price point or greater?  I’d need to save at least $400/month for the move to be worth it.
• If there was a comparable alternative available, would the leasing company honor their current move in specials although I wouldn’t move until peak season when they don’t usually offer any specials at all?
• If I decided to wait until after BG graduated, is my current apartment even available to me beyond my lease expiration?  Once I gave my intent to vacate notice, the leasing office has the authority to lease my apartment and I’d have to go when my lease expired.
• If I decided to wait until after BG graduated, and assuming my current apartment was still available, what would it cost me to stay for an extra 2 months?

Working Out the Details:

• First thing I did was pray.  What God has for me is for ME.
• After spending 45 minutes on the phone with the property manager and being disappointed by all the alternatives that were available for the later date, I was about to give up because there were certain things I was not willing to compromise.  In that case, the other bullet points didn’t matter.  However, near the end of our conversation, he mentioned another unit that had 4 out of the 5 things I wanted and priced $10 higher than the original unit.
• If I moved during the summer peak season, I asked if the move in specials would still apply.  The answer was yes…BUT…only if I commit to renting the apartment by signing a 12 month lease NOW (site unseen) and leaving a $300 holding fee.  The holding fee could be applied to the first month rent when I moved (into the unit being held or a different unit if I didn’t like the one being held after I saw it) OR forfeited if I decide not to move at all.  Hmm…a 12 month commitment and $300?
• Next, I called my current leasing company to find out if my apartment had been rented yet and if I could stay for a little while longer.  Within a few minutes, they confirmed that it had not been rented so I could stay under certain conditions.
• Then, the final question – how much would it cost me to stay on a month to month?  *clutch my pears and exhale* $2,374 for a 1 month option or $2,274 for a 2 month option.  Ooooooooouch!

Final Decision:

• I decided that I am willing to compromise on the one inconvenience.
• After negotiating addendum language that gives me an escape from the 12 month lease commitment, I agreed to sign.  But I’d be out of $300 if I decided not to rent anything from them at all.  That’s a smaller risk I am willing to take.
• After confirming that my apartment is still available for me to stay, I decided that I need exactly 2 months.  Given the second rental option, we’re talking about paying $400 extra per month for two months so that I can move and save $490 per month for the next twelve months (or more).

In summary, I’ve decided to stay in my current apartment for 2 more months and pay an extra $800 for my peace of mind, BG’s happiness, and the overall sanity of our household – all of which are priceless.  A few weeks after graduation, we will move into our new apartment.  Within three months, I will break even – including moving expenses.  The remaining nine months, plus undetermined future months, will be realized savings.

It is amazing to me how so many individual parts fell into place.  And check this out…the total savings will cover the remaining amount I need to pay out of pocket for BG’s college expenses!  Whoa!  I know all of this was only possible by the grace of God.  Because of that, and that alone, I am at peace with my decision.

Thanks everyone!