Story submitted by Kristen
My husband, a Navy Submariner, is deployed. On submarines, communication is extremely limited — no phone calls, IM’s or Skype sessions. We get email, but we go weeks, even months, without it. But there is one upside – port calls!
In the past, I would fly out to meet him in port, and charge up a storm to get there. This time, I made a goal that if the chance arose, I would be prepared, pay in cash and not touch my savings.
How I Did It
When he left, I:
- Shrank the grocery bill and shopped in my pantry.
- Ate out less, and split meals with friends.
- Grouped errands together to save gas.
- Read books when I was bored instead of shopping.
- Worked longer hours so I could go home for lunch.
With only one person home, these small changes added up fast!
The Goal
Soon I learned he would port in Singapore. I cringed. Singapore is expensive!
I researched tickets, studied exchange rates, read about cheap/free things to do and sought advice on prices for everything.
When ticket prices dropped, I bought them straight from the checking account. Then I bought travel insurance that covered military cancellations. If there is one thing you learn in the Navy, it’s that the schedule is written in the sand, and the tide is coming in fast! I wanted to be covered in the event of a change.
The next big purchase was the hotel. I watched every day, and when prices dropped, I paid in full, saving me $220 per night! I chose carefully – free Internet, breakfast and drinks in the room, none of which is common there. It was also strategically located by the transit system, the cheapest way to travel.
Then it was budget crunch time. Meals, drinks and events are all more expensive in Singapore. And, I wanted to be able to shop for unique items.
For the first time, I successfully used the envelope system! Every time there was money leftover, I put it in a jar. Two days before the trip, I took the jar to the bank and had $250 for traveler’s checks!
A Great Trip Plus…
When it was time to go, I had $3,000 for food, taxis, shopping and sight-seeing for eight days and two people. But we didn’t spend near that much; I returned with an extra $1000!
Some may think this is too extravagant of a trip. But to see my husband, touch his face and talk to him, it’s worth every penny. To do it all with cash, stick to a budget and come home with wonderful memories and leftover money too? That is icing on the cake!
I should be clear – I’m not a mom, unless two big black dogs count. I read MoneySavingMom because the advice is practical, and the stories are motivating. Someday, I hope to be a mom. For now, it’s just me and the dogs, waiting on our sailor to come home safe! ~Kristen McDonald
Have you saved up and paid cash for something — large or small? Submit your story for possible publication here.
Kristin – you rock! Thank you for sharing your inspirational story! And thank you for the sacrifices you and your husband are making to serve our country.
I’m in awe! and so INSPIRED! You go girl!!!!
Wishing you all the best and praying for a safe and SOON return of your husband!
Thank you for your sacrafices and your husband for his as well. Thank him for protecting and serving our great country! God Bless you both!
This was a really inspirational story! Thank you to you for the sacrifice you are making for the good of our country. And an even bigger THANKS to your husband, for keeping this country safe for me to be able to raise my children! God Bless you both…our military personnel are always in my prayers!
That extra cash will make a nice start to your next trip, and you being able to do this now will help you so much, when your hubby is home safe and you are ready to start your family!!
Kristen – That trip wasn’t extravagant at all! What a wonderful testimony to saving and hard work!!
So glad you were able to see your husband. You should keep looking for opportunities like that BEFORE you become a mom because it’s much harder with little ones. 🙂
Thank you to your husband for serving and you for keeping the homefires burning!
Congratulations on your wonderful vacation! The ability to form wonderful memories like that will carry you through your long separations. Thank you to both you and your husband for the sacrifices you make.
Wow!! I was so moved by your story Kristen. How fabulous that you made your plans and had the motivation and dedication to keep saving for your trip! And it had to feel so much more rewarding to come home afterward with money still in your purse toward your next visit. Thank you for marrying a military man, they need wonderful wives who will travel the ends of the earth to meet them! And thank your husband for his willingness to sacrifice so much of his time to keep all of us safe, we sure do appreciate it!
Thanks to Kristen for what you and your husband do for our country!!! We couldn’t enjoy the freedom of reading MoneySavingMom without you. Hope you get to go on another adventure to see your husband soon!!
Thank you all for your responses. They caught me off guard, and brought tears to MY eyes! I never forget that this life is an adventure, and I’m thankful for it. But sometimes I do forget how different it is, and these comments made my heart swell with pride for my husband, and other military families. It’s an amazing thing to feel appreciated. I can’t wait to be able to show him all these supportive words! Thank you all for the kind thoughts – they have lifted my spirits so much!
And to all the prior and current military members and spouses who responded, thank YOU! 🙂
Thank YOU for sharing, Kristen! You have no idea how many lives you’ve touched through this article. And a huge thank you to both of you for your sacrifices on behalf of all of us in America!
Thank you for a wonderful story, and thank you to your husband for serving. I am a proud American, and am grateful to you who make this the greatest country in the world. Thank you for sharing you husband so we can be free.
Wow, amazing job. You should sell your travel assistance services. Thank you for the sacrifices that you and your husband make to serve our country.
Thank you for the sweet story. It brought tears to my eyes.
What a wonderful story. And like other posters have said, I wouldn’t consider this trip to be an extravagance at all. I can’t think of anything more important and special to spend your money on.
I try to take my daughter on at least one trip a year. I only pay cash — I haven’t used a credit card in years. In 2009 we went on three big trips, and this year we’ll get in two — a 10 day road trip through Oregon last summer, and now we’re planning a trip to the Boston area in November. I’ve done that ever since she was a baby, and she’s now 10 and a great traveler. Our trips are good, quality time, and we have great memories. For us, people and experiences are more important than things.
Travel is one area where there are huge variances in prices, and therefore lots of opportunity to travel on a budget. It just takes research and planning.
How awesome!
love love love!!!! Thank you for sharing, and thank you to your husband for serving!
Kristin, you are so brave to go to Singapore by yourself. Good job! I met my Navy husband in Slovenia several years ago when he pulled in to port and it was so worth the trip. Well done paying cash and coming home with some still in your pocket.
Crystal, you have the best blog followers ever. I love reading everyone’s comments and they sound so supportive of our military.
I agree, Jen! They are amazing!
Forgot to say, I also think this is the best/most inspiring “We Paid Cash” story yet, although I have loved the whole series! Keep them coming 🙂
May God bless you and your husband. I dont blame you one bit for doing whatever possible to visit him. What a supportive thing to do!! Please hug him for our family.
From a Navy combat veteran herself, I think this story is very touching. Even after all I’ve been through, I believe submariners and their family sacrifice even more than others in the armed forces. That lack of communication must be heart-wrenching. To go anywhere to see each other is not something I would say is extravagant at all, just a sign of true love and support. I think any sailor/soldier away from home would LOVE to be able to see their family and sometimes it’s amazing to get to see a new place together, but most importantly, it’s amazing that you were willing to save up and willing to go (yes oddly enough, there are spouses out there that will not go overseas to meet their military guys/gals, I’ve had it happen to friends of mine). And of course, thank you both for your service!
Not extravagant at all! Thank you and your husband for all the sacrifices you make on behalf of our country.
This has to be my favorite “We Paid Cash” story yet (and I love the whole series, by the way). It’s amazing what some strong motivation will do for the ability to save money! Well done. Maybe next time will be Hong Kong–and that’s just as cool a place!
What an awesome story! Anyone who is married and especially anyone who is military would agree that your trip was NOT extravagant. So glad you got to see your sailor and I hope that he is able to come home soon. Thanks for serving our country alongside your husband!
Wow, what an awesome accomplishment! That is discipline!
And “extravagant” is different for every family right? This trip was right for your family and that’s what counts.
Thanks for sharing!
From a fellow Navy wife, I applaud you! It’s really hard to have to be completely self-reliant when our men are away, but it’s heartening to hear that you stayed motivated and didn’t give up or feel sorry for yourself! We have a deployment in our near future and I hope to be as successful as you were in meeting up in port. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I realize how much I take my husband for granted. Don’t you dare worry if someone else thinks your trip is too extravagant! You did an amazing thing! You held yourself accountable and showed your husband a wonderful gift of love by doing all that sacrificing and planning to make that bit of time together be efficient and special!
Make sure your husband knows how much we appreciate his sacrifice for our freedom, and at the same time tell yourself how much we appreciate you for the sacrifices you make too!
Wonderful story! Thanks for sharing!
Amen and thank you to your husband for his service to our Country, and for your sacrifice and service as well being a Navy Wife. No price can be put on the time you had with him. I just wish that there were 90% discounts across the board for all military families – or better yet, free!
My older brother was a nuke in the Navy, my youngest brother is still serving as a Seabee, my two brothers-in-law are National Guard and Air Guard, and my best friend’s husband is Air Force. I’m so glad you got to visit your husband! Please tell him thank you for serving!
Kristen, I don’t think that was extravagant at all. I would pay all that and more to spend time with my hubby.
Next time you should ask around. I know I would chip in $20 for a military wife to get to spend some needed time with her hubby. Maybe others would too.
What a sweet story – thanks for sharing.
awww, that’s so awesome! that trip doesn’t sound extravagant at all. you gotta do what you gotta do when you can see your husband. i have several friends w/ military spouses and i know it’s hard for them too. awesome that you paid cash too 🙂
Kristin, this is wonderful! So happy you got to see your hubby. My husband was deployed to Iraq for a year and we got to meet in Germany half-way through. It was AWESOME and worth EVERY penny (we also paid with cash!).
😀
Alicia
Wow, you are such an inspiration!! This is money-saving and preparation at its finest! Way to go!
Renee
LOVE this! What a wonderful thing to save up for, I’ll bet you made him the proudest husband onboard. 😉
My best friend is a Navy wife as well, stationed in Hawaii right now on shore duty. Your story touched my heart as I know what she goes through when her husband is out to sea. I think it’s amazing you got to visit him in Singapore and also that you paid cash! God bless you!
I loved this story! I, too, am married to a submariner, who is getting ready to deploy for 6 months in a couple of weeks. I have been using money saving mom to help me save money on groceries and other purchases for over a year now. At first it was just to help us get out of debt, but now we are working on a savings plan. I have 2 children and no chances of getting a baby-sitter for them long enough for me to visit my husband in a foreign port, but I have already begun a vacation fund for when he gets back! Congratulations for being able to save up enough money to visit your husband. Kids are great, but it is important for you to take advantage of the time you get together before you have them.
This is so touching – big thanks to you and your hubby for your sacrifices!
Your marriage is one of the most valuable things in your life. I with everyone else in that what better way to spend your money.
God Bless you and thank you for sharing your delightful story.
What a great story–I’m so glad you were able to spend that precious time with your husband! And I’ll just add my voice to the others saying your trip was not at all over-the-top. If you’re paying your bills and giving something to those in need, what’s leftover is yours to do with as you wish. Personally, I can’t think of a better use than enabling an otherwise-separated husband and wife to be together.
Thanks for you and your husband’s sacrifice. In no way should you feel guilty, and what a blessing these trips will be to your marriage and future family!! Thanks for sharing and inspiring. I thank God He blessed you in return for your discipline and sacrifice. 🙂 There is no price tag that can be placed on your time with your man, and you’ve done it the right way!!
Gratefully, Betsy
Congrats! My hubs was a USN man as well but not a submariner (nuke carriers). I well remember those years filled with his deployments and how we survived the separation thanks to the glory of email and rare 2:30 am phone calls (the time zones always favored him, not me!). I also remember feeling so badly for my friends who – like you – were married to those submariners because it was so very, very hard on them to have virtually no communication for months at a time. A lot can happen when the guys are at sea.
I, too, was a “mom” to (2) dogs during those years – we’ve got (3) children now that we’re civilians again and just (1) dog.
Great story and thank you to your husband for his service and to you for your sacrifices as well. 😉
My favorite “we paid cash” story so far! Thanks for sharing it! 🙂
This has been my favorite one so far. As a military wife with a husband that is gone right now this made me cry. I’m going to start saving so we can take a family vacation when he gets home next year. I will use your story as inspiration. Thanks for sharing.
What a precious story!! Military stories like this always bring tears to my eyes. I am SO very thankful for all of the selfless men (and women) in our armed forces who protect our country so well. I can’t imagine being apart from my husband for months at at time. I’d pay whatever was necessary to see him, too!
I’m glad you got to visit! I’ve always wanted to go to Singapore! Thanks to your husband for serving our country!
I am also a submariner wife. My husband is an FT2 and we have also saved to visit during port calls!! GO YOU!
Thank you
Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us! When you save, plan, and work as much as you did, nothing is too extravagent especially being with your husband! 🙂 (and what a trip to remember!) Thank you for you and your husband’s sacrifices while he protects our country!
I also am not a mom but love and glean so much from this website.
Agree with the others…best story yet!
What a wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing. Kids or no kids, your story was inspiring and uplifting! Good for you for taking the hard road to achieve something so very important for your marriage!
This has to be my favorite “We Paid Cash”. My eyes are tearing up. Thank you for sharing and many thanks to you and your husband for your sacrifices.
Kristen, your story left me in tears. There is nothing extravagant about seeing your husband. My husband and I would go a month at a time without seeing each other when I was a grad student and he was a musician, and I remember just how painful that was. I can’t imagine going months and months, with limited communication at that. I bet you made your husband one very happy man 🙂
I would say this was more than worth the cost! Congratulations.
Congrats! The Lord used your discipline to bless you and your husband. I had goose bumps reading your story. What an inspiration!
I am not sure what happened to my paragrahs. Sorry for the run ons.
Congratulations! I am so excited that you were able to see him! Being a military wife is hard–I know! Thank you and your husband for your service! Saving that way will be an invaluable tool for you to share as you one day raise your children! Be proud of yourself–we are all way proud of you!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story. I am not sure why you feel your trip was extravagant. It was not! You should be proud of what you accomplished and what both you and your husband sacrificed to spend an amazing week together. You will never forget all the wonderful things you got to experience TOGETHER. What will you remember in 20 years; going out for dinner or going to Singapore?! The memories will be with you for a lifetime.
I am currently saving for a trip to Antarctica. We will not go until the trip is 100% paid for. We are planning to go in 4 years. Most would feel this is extravagant or a waste of money, but this is something that is important to me. Some people feel cable is important, others feel going out to eat is, others have nice furniture and homes that look like models. I personally believe traveling is the most important thing so that is what I spend my money on.
Congratulations once again on an amazing trip and paying cash! Thank your husband for all the hard work and sacrifices he has made for our country.
So you actually just made me cry. I spent 6 months away from my husband (a continent apart) and it was just awful. Sooooooooooooooo worth it to travel and have a GREAT time seeing the sights. You’ll never, ever regret it. And one the kids will come along and there will be school and basketball and maybe you won’t always to be able to fly to Asia at the drop of a hat. I’m so glad you were able to take advantage of this now!
To see your husband, I don’t think taking $10,000 would have been too extravagant! Your story made me cry. Thank you so much for sharing your husband with the rest of the country – for serving us by allowing him to serve us. I’ll be praying for the rest of his tour to fly by!
I’m not a mama yet either, but the info Crystal shares is good for anyone who wants to live more frugally – parent or not.
(Isn’t Singapore fabulous! I’ve stopped there twice on the way to work at an orphanage in India. It’s a very unique and beautiful country.)
Great story!
I’m glad that you added that you were not a mom yet either- neither am I! I am encouraged to see that other people besides moms can use this advice to get ahead. 🙂
this was a beautiful story!!! very inspirational =)
Such a sweet, adorable love story. Thank you for sharing!
Fabulous story. Thanks for sharing.
Not extravagant at all. What else is money for, but family?
Very inspiring story. I loved reading it!
Wow! Thank you for your story and thank you to your husband for serving!
I was also moved to tears by this story. Amazing and well deserved. Not at all extravegant when you can afford it! Congratulations.
This is the BEST thing to pay cash for! Material goods will fade away, but the memories you made will last a lifetime. Congrats!
Great story! I am not a mom either (unless my cats count), but I love this blog because it inspires me to spend more carefully.
A trip like that must be priceless! And now you have $1000 saved for the next port of call. Way to go!
Aww, your story made me tear up too! What a blessing to be able to do that AND get such great deals.
Kristen,
What a wonderful way for you to see your husband & congratulation on saving it all up! That’s amazing!
As a side note, thank you to your husband for his service to our country; and a HUGE round of applause for being a military wife. It’s a hard, thankless job!!! I was very lucky, I met my husband when he was a drill instructor for the Navy, and he retired after our first son (together) was born. I never had to go through him leaving, but he almost had to go a week before our wedding!
Not too extravagant at all! My sister was an army wife, so I know when you get the chance to see your husband, you go, no matter what! I loved your story.
Awesome, Kristen!
A dear friend’s son just graduated at Great Lakes last week. The family may need this one day 🙂 There is nothing extravagant when it comes to military family separations-I lived in Jacksonville FL for a time. How wonderful you were able to share Singapore. Way to go and many blessings!
Oh man… this story totally made me cry! What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing this. 🙂
great post!! my husband is also a navy submariner!! also on deployment… no port stops this time though!! your trip sounds amazing!
Yeah!! Absolutely awesome idea! Glad you were able to visit such a fabulous place and share it with your husband now. It is much more difficult to do with children. I hope you do something like this again and I look forward to finding out your next exciting port of call adventure as well–and how you financed it. May God bless you, your husband and all the other service families out there.
This is my favorite story so far. What an awesome, inspirational thing to do. You should be so proud of yourself!!!
Kristen, what an amazing story! Congratulations on your saavy savings, and I am sure that you will both remember your trip with fond memories when you do have those children you are waiting for! God Bless.
Congratulations! Thank you both for your sacrifices for our country.
What a great story! Thank you and your wonderful husband for your sacrifice and service. God bless.
What an inspiring story! My favorite part was that you saved hard and then didn’t bat an eye when it was time to spend the money. Sometimes it’s difficult for we savers to enjoy spending after we’ve been saving so long, but you balanced it perfectly. All the practical steps you listed were great and I had fun imagining that money jar slowly filling with your hard-earned dough. I hope you two had an INCREDIBLE time! I’m sure your husband was the envy of all his friends when you showed up in port to meet him – and with spending money to boot!
I am so glad you were able to see your husband! I can’t even imagine what your life and days must be like. And to get the trip of a lifetime together…BONUS!! And paying cash with money left over? DOUBLE BONUS! Thank you so much for the sacrafice your family is making for us! May you be blessed!!!
I am so impressed! Just look what a woman motivated by love can do!
Thanks for sharing.
Kristen, that’s awesome. I’m so happy that you were able to do that. Being able to see your husband face-to-face is priceless, but paying for it with cash like you did is such a blessing, to you and especially him. Save that $1000 for next time! 🙂
Good for you! What a great thing to save for. Singapore was one of my favorite places to visit (I was sent there on business for 3 weeks a few years ago). And I’m guessing you are probably already saving up for your husband’s next port call!
Your story brought tears to my eyes……you both are sacrificing so much and I want to say thank you! God bless you both.
Wow Kristen, that is such an inspiring story! I am glad that you were able to make all those sacrifices to be able to see your husband and take such a wonderful trip. This was just the pick me up that I needed for today. Thank you for sharing and for the service that your husband and you give to our country!
Great story! Thanks for sharing.
A big thank you for all the sacrifice your family is making so my family can have the freedom we have. It is not taken for granted! I think this story is wonderful and I am sure your husband was very proud.
What a wonderful story! A big “way to go” to you for all that you did to make it happen, and a big “thank you” to your husband for all that he has done and is doing! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you both for your sacrifice for our country and for sharing your story. I shared your story with my husband. There were tears in his eyes also. It is a great source of encouragement and inspiration for us. I think that your not being a mom is what makes Money Saving Mom so special and such a great success. All of us can join together on this website and learn and share regardless of our backgrounds or current situations. I have been a single mom and a graduate student, a professional mom, and a stay at home mom; however, I have been an avid follower of the blog/website through it all. The information stays in the back of our minds and it surfaces just when we need it as the seasons of our lives change. Thanks to Crystal and to all of you who contribute.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your story, Kristen. Wow and way to go. What a blessing to pay for something that significant in cash!!!
What a terrific story! I could just see that money jar filling up slowly, but steadily, until it was time to go. I hope you both had an INCREDIBLE time! One of the most inspiring things about your story – to me – was that you knew what you wanted, you saved for it, and then you didn’t bat an eye when it was time to shell out that hard-earned dough. You just spent and enjoyed, something that’s often difficult for “savers” to do. We like to hold onto that money, but your story shows the perfect balance. Plus, travel is one of the most fun things to spend on. Thanks for a great story!
Your story brought tears to my eyes! I think it was $ well spent and I’m sure your husband was touched!!
I am so happy you got to make this trip to spend a wonderful time with your hubby. You both deserve it!
I am crying!!! This needs to be a Hallmark movie…LOL! It is so precious, and I am proud of you. It may sound crazy since I don’t know you. Our men in uniform sacrifice so much for us, but really their families can sacrifice just as much! I am proud you were able to make that trip. God bless you and your husband! Only in America. : )
Great story Kristen!! I don’t have kids, but I visit the site daily as well for all the practical advice! 🙂 Most of all, thanks to your husband for his service on behalf of our country, and thanks to you for supporting him so he can go! We pray for our military, and that includes your hubby. So THANK YOU!! Blessings and thanks for the financial encouragement! Well done!!
I cannot thing of one thing better to spend your hard saved money on than a trip to see your military husband. Thanks so much for all the sacrifices you and your husband make to keep us free!
Oh! And thank you for serving our country! May God bless the two of you!
Thanks Crystal for posting this! Kristen… I almost cried when I read this! My husband travels for work and my heart breaks when I go periods of time without seeing him and chatting with him. Sure, you spent a substantial amount of money on a trip, what you did was invest in your marriage… and you did this utilizing cash you have earned and worked hard for! Good for you! I wish so much that I learned these principles before my husband and I became parents… or were married for that matter. You and your husband are on a WONDERFUL path in your marriage… I say keep up the good work and kudos to you for traveling and nourishing yourselves and your love for each other! It will pay off more than you can imagine! 🙂
Congrats to you! You done an amazing job saving….and that trip didnt sound extravengent at all. You cannot put a price on time with the ones you love. I am happy for you and the time you were able to spend with your husband. With that mind set, you will make an amazing mother one day. My prayers are for your future family and that your Navy Mariner comes home safe everytime. Thank God for our military and their families.
This story is so sweet & inspirational! It gave me chills! I don’t think it is too extravagant at all! I am so happy for you! Congrats on the trip coming from free money due to your smart spending! Thanks for what you and your husband do for our country!
I think this was my favorite story. I’d say it takes even more self control when you are trying to budget/save by yourself because there is no one there to hold you accountable. I really commend you. Oh, and I hope you had a fantastic time with your hubby!
Your story was awesome and definitely inspirational. But I’d really just like to thank you and your wonderful husband for your service and sacrifice. It takes special people like you to do it and my family is grateful for yours. God bless you both.
What an inspiring story. It gives me hope that I too can make expenditure cuts in my household. It’s a bit of concentrated work but definitely worth it. Look at your result! Congratulations!
How inspirational, Kristen! No way is it too extravagant of a trip if that’s what it takes to see your husband (in fact, I would have been secretly happy port was in such a cool place!). We have 3 kids & hadn’t vacationed ever as a family (were working Dave Ramsey’s plan) until last year when we went to Disneyworld using only cash, then NY in the Spring for my bro-in-law’s sudden baby shower, & this summer, we went to Yellowstone & Coeur d’Alene, ID (to visit my sister finally after she moved 2 years ago)–all on cash! Don’t trips feel so much more relaxing & enjoyable when you don’t have a giant credit card bill to come home to? FREEDOM!
Oh, how inspiring! Bravo!
I don’t think that’s extravagant at all! Congratulations on being that disciplined and being able to spend some wonderful and much deserved time with your husband!