Dream a Big Dream
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Setting goals and dreaming big dreams can be just the right motivation to help you save money and accomplish great things.
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This is my bedside table. Most are books that I’ve read before. A few I’m still finishing off for the first time. Most of them are books that I’m revisiting.
See a theme?
In 1994 we spent our honeymoon (and my 22nd birthday) in France, less than a year after I came home from living a year in Bordeaux. Having spent two consecutive birthdays in France, I was hopeful — and naive — that it would become a yearly tradition.
We haven’t been back in eighteen years!
Life happened. Babies, and houses, and debts. Life.
Dreaming a Big Dream
Over the last month or two, however, hubs and I have decided to dream a big dream: to take our family of eight to France for our 20th wedding anniversary. Our hope is to spend a minimum of four weeks in France in 2014.
- Ambitious? Yes. It will cost a very pretty penny.
- A little bit crazy? Yes. Six children on a European vacation is like the Griswolds on steroids.
- Impossible? Never say die.
We realized that while it will take some time to save up the cash (yes, we’re going to pay cash) and brush up on my language skills, research and plan, it will be a wonderful experience for our kids who will be 16, 13, 11, 9, 7, and 5. The kids will all be young enough to still be at home, old enough to not need a potty every hour.
Plus, we’re just itching to go back.
We also know that saving and economizing is easier — and more fulfilling — if you have a goal in mind.
To save just for the sake of saving ends up feeling rather empty and boring after a time. It’s harder to keep at it if it’s just a few more dollars in the bank. But, if you have something to work for, you have motivation.
So, we’re adding a little fun to our future, we’re planning a HUGE family memory, and we’re adding fuel to the fire of our frugality.
Certainly, it’s a plan to spend money, but it’s also an impetus to save, which is always a good thing.
Today’s Frugal Friday!
Time to swap ideas and inspiration for saving money.
How do YOU save money?
Please remember to follow the Frugal Friday Guidelines or be deleted.
- Post a money saving idea and explain how it is helpful in your post.
- No giveaways or deals posts.
- Recipes are allowed, but you must explain how it saves people money.
- Please include a link back to Life as MOM.
I spent 6 weeks in France (based in Avignon) in 1999, and have never been back, so I’m looking forward to feeling like I’m traveling there again through your trip. 🙂
I didn’t spend a consecutive year in France, but my parents moved there in 1990 so I did several college summer breaks in Paris. It is totally my second home. I watch terrible movies just for the Paris scenery! I always wanna go back even though my parental responsibilities have limited those opportunities.
You go Fish Family! Dreaming big makes big things happen in your life. Yay!! Super excited for you. We have our own plans for 2014, that are a bit more, how shall we say, woodsy. But every bit as freaky. Let’s encourage each other towards courageous living WITH family.
You bet! I ended up speaking with several Europeans over the last couple days and got mixed reactions on the size of our family, so this should be interesting. Can’t wait to hear what you are cooking up. I’m guessing it’s “yurt-like”.
No, in 2 years we are planning to be thru hiking for six months. The yurt comes after that. And after that… our extended European trip when the kids are all teens. And that folks is the 5 year plan!
Also wanted to say part of me wishes I was a classical educator just so I could have met with all you wonderful ladies this weekend. I saw the photo at Heidi’s blog today. How fun!
I hadn’t check to see that she posted something. Fun!
Go for it! Next month, my family (me, hubs, 17, 16 and 10 year old) are spending a paid for week in St. Kitts! I am on a lockdown, saving money right now so we’ll have plenty for food and excursions. It is SO WORTH IT to me!
Hi Jessica-
I just had to tell you that we are currently living in Europe as American expats with our four kiddos (ages 9, 7, 3 and 1). We have been here (Krakow, Poland) since September 2011 and will be here until September 2013. I wasn’t sure what this would be like travelling all over Europe with young kids, but it has been a great experience. France is on our vacation planner for September. We’ve already booked our (very cheap!) flights and hotel. Can’t wait! We’ve been travelling as much as we can while we’re here, and even though our 1-year old won’t remember much of this experience, it has been amazing for the rest of us. I think international travel is so educational….I’m sure your trip will be an amazing experience for your family!
What an amazing dream and awesome opportunity for the kids! I know that you’ll be able to do this!
We need to talk! I can’t recall if I ever told you about my French background, but let me cut to the chase: My French mother–who married an American and settled here with him and raised me and my sister–inherited a house in Hossegor, just an hour south of Bordeaux (where SHE grew up). We and other members of the family use it in the summer, but she also rents it occasionally, in August and in the non-summer months, to friends or colleagues, to cover the upkeep and taxes. It sleeps 8-10, and is a very short walk from the lake, a 10-minute walk to the shops in town, and a slightly longer walk (or bike or car ride) to the ocean. You could rent it for a week or two and explore the countryside and the nearby French/Spanish Basque country! As I said–we’ll talk, if you’re intrigued.
Bien sur, ca m’interest! 😉 We will have to talk….
Basque country! Walking the el camino de san diago is the dream I share with my hubs. Sans enfants sil vous plait. Someday!
Oh, I hope you guys end up back in France for that big day! Dream big—live big!
Hi, thanks for hosting! Today I’m sharing my scratch marinara #1 – roma tomato, roasted red pepper & basil. We are a cycling/running household so we eat a lot of pasta! I was tired of buying jarred sauce at $4 a pop so I set out to make a scratch marinara. I was dismayed when I couldn’t find any recipes that didn’t contain canned ingredients, so I made my own. I buy the overly ripe tomatoes at our local farmers market (usually $1/lb), make a couple of jars of sauce at once and freeze it for later. Enjoy!