Is spending this kind of money crazy?

Ok, so we just spent 4 weeks in Florida. Fort Myers Beach, to be exact. It was wonderful, in spite of the less than perfect weather…we were after sunshine and warmth. Yes, it was sunnier than Wisconsin and definitely warmer than Wisconsin, but we’re picky. It wasn’t EXACTLY what we were expecting.

What were we expecting you ask? Well, we wanted to eat EVERY breakfast, lunch and dinner on the lanai which overlooked the beach and ocean. We probably were able to do that a dozen times. Mornings were just too cool and dinner time was usually too windy…and cool. We did come in to get out of the sun/wind around 1pm every day and that’s when the lanai was perfect.

So, actually, I’m digressing really….the condo was small, but perfect for us. Two bedrooms, so we had a friend with us for one week. And clean. The last two condos we rented were dirty and in disrepair. This one was like a palace in comparison. A small condo complex, 50 units. You step out from the stairway or elevator and it’s just a few steps to a strip of grass where the lounge chairs face the ocean. The beach is narrow, but not too narrow, so that you don’t feel your privacy being invaded. Basically, all you have are a few people out walking along the shore. The grounds were kept immaculate, the pool was big and warm. There was a grocery store directly across the street to walk to for supplies. It’s mid-island and with a rental car, easy to get anywhere. We loved it.

What’s the problem? It’s EXPENSIVE….we spent more than we intended this year, but felt it was worth it when we got there. We were all set to rent it again for a month next year, when I discovered the owner is hiking the price by $800 for next year. At first, my husband said “that’s way too much, we’re not coming back” but as the weeks went on, and we talked, we came to the conclusion that we’ll come back…at least one more time.

A reprieve from winter does wonders for the soul. Walking every morning on the beach, finding special sea shells, watching dolphins frolic, seeing pelicans dive for fish…all special things that can be so rejuvenating. Getting a little color on your pasty, white, winter Northern skin makes you look and feel good. Just relaxing and not having to do anything you don’t want to do is perfect.

We decided that all our lives we’ve been “saving for retirement.” Well, guess what? WE’RE RETIRED!!! This is what we’ve been saving for. We are not extravagant people. We are very simple people. Our money is normally spent on food and home upkeep. Neither of us are shoppers, clothes horses or have expensive hobbies. Our one big expense is vacation. The clincher was when I asked my husband “do you want to enjoy your retirement and vacation once a year in Florida, or do you want to leave your money for your kids when you die?” He said it was a no-brainer.

So, we’re spending our kids’ inheritance. Don’t tell them. :-)