This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.
Jo, the little sister of a close friend, announced her wedding this summer. Little did we know, it would be a destination wedding.
The celebration of Jo’s engagement was filled with joy and excitement. It was during this event that we were introduced to a game called Flippy Cup for the first time.
Flippy Cup, a party game where participants face off across a table, involves flipping plastic cups in a race against opponents.
Table of Contents
The Unforeseen Twist: A Wedding Overseas
As the festivities winded down, the revelation of the wedding’s location stunned us. Instead of a local affair, it would be held in Hawaii—a destination requiring an eleven-hour flight.
The realization of the destination added a new layer of complexity. What was initially perceived as a quick trip within the sister states turned into a substantial financial commitment.
Overcoming Budget Constraints
Upon learning about the destination, we both looked at each other and started laughing. As you can tell, we were not ready. However, the financial implications soon became apparent.
The prospect of shelling out thousands for flights and accommodations seemed daunting, especially considering the current economic climate.
Despite the budgetary concerns, the idea of embarking on a memorable trip resonated with us. It had been a while since my wife and I had a vacation together, making the opportunity enticing.
Fortunately, uncareful spending had accrued a sizable amount of credit card reward points over time. A ray of light appeared in the midst of financial anxiety with these points.
However, the redemption process proved to be more challenging than anticipated. Despite initially appearing promising, the transaction hit a snag due to insufficient points.
Undeterred by the setback, we sought alternative avenues to mitigate expenses and ensure attendance at the wedding.
That being said, I had the urge to contact the bank; hey, you never know. But I also realized these reward points do not carry an expiration date, and this will not be our only trip. For now, I won’t let it stress me and will move forward with the plans we’ve made. We’ll find a way to make it work, whether it’s through leveraging other rewards or adjusting our budget accordingly.
After all, the most important thing is celebrating Jo’s special day and making cherished memories with loved ones. So, despite the initial setback, we remain optimistic and determined to make the most of this opportunity.
Our Plans
Did you know there were roughly 132 Hawaiian islands? Within the known islands, we’ll be heading to Honolulu. The place with the least average rainfall between these designated islands. That’s a plus for those of us who grew up on the Caribbean island of Haiti.
We were always told that Hawaii is very expensive and advised to carry cash because, at any moment, we might come across pop-up markets that do not accept cards—this is what we expected.
That being said, we plan to stroll along the beach, visit some local stores, dine locally, and definitely try something new. Our main focus will be on spending money on food and a souvenir as well.
Bottom Line
Jo’s upcoming destination wedding in Hawaii has brought about both excitement and unforeseen challenges. Despite initial concerns about budget constraints, my wife and I remain determined to make it work. We maintain an optimistic outlook, looking forward to forging enduring memories with our loved ones and seizing the chance to explore Honolulu and its surroundings.
Have you been to Hawaii before? How was your experience? Do you have any tips or advice that we should know before going?
Let me know in the comments or via Instagram
**Valuable Resources I Use Daily:
Empower offers a free account to assist you in managing your net worth and investment portfolio. Your asset allocation and portfolio performance are so obvious and easy to grasp that I can't get enough of them. It's an excellent tool for anyone keeping track of their investments.
Robinhood is a platform that does not charge commissions. You can start investing with as little as $1 in stocks, ETFs, and REITs. It's simple to operate and navigate. Sign up now to receive a free stock.
Gio founded TheGrowthFocusedGuy in January 2020 because he was fed up with debt.
His mission is to document his journey to Financial Independence in order to motivate and inspire others to get out of debt and begin building generational wealth.
