*There are pictures in this post and may be slow to load on your phone*
I visited New York City over Labor Day weekend with my mom. It was the first mommy/daughter vacation that I’ve had with her in YEARS!! It was a phenomenal (and slightly stressful) trip. We had a few travel related hiccups, like the 5 flight delays flying from Washington Dulles to New York City-a 40 minute flight. There was also the 2 hour flight delay on our return home and the longest Super Shuttle ride ever to an airport. The Super Shuttle ride took so long and made so many detours I thought we would end up at his house for dinner.
In April I wrote a post about deciding to embark on a year long No Spend Challenge. I had looked at how much money I’d already spent on clothing and realized there were so many other things I could be spending my money on. I was frustrated with my debt repayment, lack of travel and just general lack of progress dealing with my life.
This trip is a direct result of spending aligned with what I value. I value spending time with my friends and family. I was able to provide an amazing experience for my mom and I that we won’t ever forget. I was able to do this with cash. Because I went to NYC I was able to reconnect with one of two of my friends who lives there and to solidify a friendship. I value experiences over things.
What did we do?
- We ate Bibimbop in Korea Town (super tiny Korean Town!) The one in L.A. is the Real McCoy.
- We went to Times Square at night.
- Walked to the Empire State Building-beautiful at night.
- We walked along the Highline
- Took the free ferry to Governor’s Island and rode bikes around the island. New Yorkers are the worst bicyclists EVER!!
- We walked across the Brooklyn Bridge
- Ate lunch in Bryant Park with my friend
- Walked along the Hudson River
- Saw the Giant Bull on Wall Street
- Went to Chelsea Market
- Went to the U.S. Tennis Open and watched Novack Djokovitch play (world #1) and Li Na #6 vs. Jelena Jankovic #12
Yes, we did this from 7:00 p.m. Saturday until 1:30 p.m. Monday. How did I make this an affordable trip?
- Stayed at a funky hotel. No, not funky gross. Funky as a little outside the ordinary. We stayed at the Jane Hotel. The cool thing about the hotel is its history and the size of the single and double rooms. This is the second time that I’ve stayed there. The rooms are minuscule think 12′ x 12′. Really. The rooms were fashioned after rooms on a boat. Each bunk has its own flat screen t.v. and they provide lovely french bottles of water, robes, and slippers. The cost was $135 a night. The total was: $315 (freaking taxes!) The Jane has a lovely french style restaurant as well. It’s located in the Meatpacking district and two blocks from the Highline. **Do not stay on the 3rd floor. There is someone who lives there and is a chain smoker**
- Cash is king! I paid for the whole trip-cash. I gave my mom $200 in spending money and $200 for me. The trip was my treat which was why I gave my mom spending money. Check out Mochimac’s post on Filial Piety 101. I made a comment on that post that explains how I treat my mom/family.
- Pre paid is always good! I paid for a couple of things before I arrived in New York
- Super Shuttle-if anything went wrong I would still be able to get to the airport!
- U.S. Tennis Open-I purchased those tickets in April or May.
- I had a budget and I basically stuck to it.
The cost:
- Flight-$545
- Mom-$200
- Me-$200
- Hotel-$315
- US Open-$160
- Misc/Meals/Biking/Book-$300
Total: $1720
Again, I paid for most of this trip months ago and all items were paid in cash. So, I owe nothing on this trip!! Quite frankly, this trip was priceless and my mom was so happy. It was wonderful to spend time with my mom, keep working towards my goals while staying mindful of balance during debt repayment. I have been doing a series of side hustles and will be amping up on those again. I should note that I spent more than I had project in April.
Again, these are the things that I’m doing to save money.
- No Shopping
- I bring my lunch
- I brew my own coffee and bring it to work/brew at work
- Stopped going out as much
- Don’t own a car-using my ECO Pass=free transportation
- Using my sh$t-using up all of my body product before buying new stuff.
- Use the library.
- No cable-I get my DVDs from the library 🙂
- Working the side hustles. Have you read my post about cleaning Super Poo. Nasty.
Overall, it was a wonderful trip. I don’t regret the money I spent and am so blessed to have an opportunity to spend quality time with my mom.
When you’re spending how do you stay aligned with your values?
In the air
The Empire State Building from the Highline
Grass along the Highline
Morning Americano
The Meatpacking District
Cool Sculpture Park-There a ton of little figurines and pennies in this park
Carousel-Governor’s Island
Lady Liberty
U.S. Tennis Open
About to watch Novak Jokovitch!!
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You did good. 🙂 That’s great that you gave your mom spending money along with paying for everything in cash. I’m glad you two had a good time. Thanks for the link back 😀
I really connected with that post when you wrote it. I’m continually amazed by the way people talk about their parents and the way that they treat their parents shocks me sometimes. It was a wonderful time and I am looking forward to our next trip together. Hopefully it won’t be as intense.
You did a lot of the same things as I did when I was there! That’s great you got to spend that time with your mom, and didn’t got into debt doing it!
I love NYC. I am at the point where I’ve seen most of the touristy things and am looking forward to discovering the hidden treasures. That will be next year’s trip to the U.S. Open-I’m hooked!
That is awesome! Looks like a wonderful trip too. Kudos to you for the preparation and I’m sure your mom appreciates what you did. It is the wonderful memories you shared together that counts more than the trip and the treat.
It was an amazing time. I am now planning the next trip. This trip really reminded me of how important it is to spend time with your family.
You did good girlfriend – and I do the same when I take mum out on a trip. She pays nothing when she has me around!
I can’t wait to hang out with you next April xx
Thanks Ush!! Moms are the best-even when they make you crazy:) See you in April. I can’t wait.
I LOVE NYC and miss it so much. It was great living there and so glad I had that experience. Chelsea Market, Highline and Bryant Park are some of my favorite things too. I cannot wait to take my mom on a trip someday. I want to take her to Europe because she’s never been!
I am very seriously thinking about buying an investment property in NYC in the next 5 years. I love, love, love that city-I just can’t live there full-time. I am also taking my mom to Europe the goal is to take her in 2015.It would be her first time there too. Make sure to take Iceland air for the free layover in Iceland!! Everyone is doing that in Denver now that we have a Iceland air.
Shall we buy one together?? :):)
That is a thought! There are affordable properties…it just depends on what your willing to do without…