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.
This is fantastic! I will be rooting for you to reach your goal. As it turns out, my husband and I are going to Paris this summer for my best friend’s wedding. It was a completely unexpected opportunity – I’ve never been and didn’t expect to ever get to go – but things have (miraculously) fallen into place so that we can go. If I enjoy it as much as you did, maybe we’ll start saving upon our return in order to bring the whole family one day!
Yeah for having a friend getting married in style!
What a great goal! You’ll be making so many memories and learning so much.
Are you teaching the kiddos French? I’ve reviewed some lovely starter books and in the comments to this post there is a link to great low-key ways to study French. http://anniekateshomeschoolreviews.com/2012/03/review-the-kids-can-press-french-and-english-word-book/
I’m looking forward to all sorts of frugal travel ideas over the next two years! My husband may be working overseas in 2014, so we may be out there too!
I have insisted on adding French to the list for the next two years. Ann Kroeker has some great tips here: http://annkroeker.com/2012/03/10/do-it-yourself-french-13-language-acquisition-ideas-for-the-easily-bored-non-sequential-or-add-learner/ I’ll be checking out your post, too.
That will be a memory they never forget. I would love to take our kids on one international vacation before they all leave the nest as well.
WHAT a great goal! I love it!
What a wonderful idea! We have our 20th anniversary coming up in 2013. I hadn’t thought of taking a big family trip to celebrate. Now my mind is whirring!
PS: Your comment “PS. I apologize in advance for any excessive postings about France.” – first laugh of the morning!
Please don’t apologise about excessive postings on France. I’m a big Francophile having lived there for 7 years. To make it the most affordable possible, have you though of a home exchange. Whenever we go long-distance we do this and it makes a real difference to the budget- you can even set up several, spread around the country? Good luck with your plans!!
We probably won’t do a home swap since we don’t own our home, but we are looking at renting apartments.
That’s a great dream to have and I have no doubt you’ll achieve it.
I can’t help thinking that you could use this blog as a way to help you get what you want. Perhaps just finding one more advertiser or advertising spot will help you get one step closer to your goal.
Anyway, thanks for hosting Frugal Friday again. I’ve just linked up to my Top 10 Homemade Beauty Gifts For Mother’s Day. Perhaps pick something out that you like and let your kids know 🙂
Daisy
Our 10th anniversary is coming up in 2015. And, since we live in LA now, making Hawaii a mere puddle jump away, we’re saving for a 10th anniversary vacation there.:)
What an amazing dream! I look forward to your postings about France.
OH WOW! What an amazing big dream! I also love that you’re teaching your kids to dream big dreams.