Need motivation to just do it..

Wrenny,

If you are looking for a place to reconnect and find one another again, I cannot think of a better place than Couples! There are no distractions, no worries! Every moment is spent with the one you love...relaxing, talking, eating, drinking, exploring.... it's amazing. My hubby and I just returned from our first stay at CSA (April 18-May 2). We have been to Jamaica 8 times prior, all at Sandals Resorts, and we both agree that this trip was one of our best ever!

As far as the cost.... I'm always amazed at how much excess spending I do throughout the year. The little things do add up. Sit down together and figure out where you can make a few budget revisions (and these are just suggestions..)....reduce trips to Starbucks (or just get coffee/tea (not the fancy stuff) and save the $ and calories, watch the spending on take out food, maybe commute to work, sell items on ebay, set up a trip registry on line, whatever you need to do. We cancelled our cable and I did my shopping at Goodwill! It all adds up!
The moment you book the trip, your journey begins!
Best of luck whatever you choose!!!! Cheers!
Jennifer

Luckily we stumbled on a great travel agent 8 years ago to plan our Honeymoom and she told us about Couples. It was her place of choice for any honeymooners or couples. I trusted her and went with it. Here we are 8 years later still using her and and still so in love with Couples... we go almost every year. We just can't stay away. If just sucks you in! LOL

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gonegril

OK So I'll be the Killjoy....for many Americans we're still in the throes of a recession....And given what's cookin' with Greece and the Euro, I'm thinking our European brethren might be in a similar situation....Sure, things are looking up, but for those of us who work on straight commission or who are in jobs that are influenced by market fluctuations, a vacation abroad might be a great thrill, but maybe not a great reality right now....I'd say look at your own bank account and financial situation - why would you listen to people on a message board (who obviously love Couples), when really what it's all about is what can you and your loved one afford, not only now, but if you're putting this on credit cards, can you afford whatever the interest is if you don't pay it all off at once?? Do you have a mortgage? Do you want one? Do you have kids? Do you want them?

People might say live for now, but some of us have had to learn over the last few years what that "live for now, pay later" philosophy can do to the credit rating....

Do what makes the most sense for your pocketbook....you're still young - if it doesn't work out for you this year, you still have next....and if you need to recharge your batteries, how about something closer to home???? Those of us who've been in long term relationships know how much fun it is to experinece those "lean times" together - it makes for great stories and great memories....

Love and happiness whatever what you choose....

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Boy, talk about a fly in the ointment. :p

Hehehe, j/k of course. And it just so happens I agree 100%. As you mentioned, what gives your advice some added juice is the fact that the OP and his better half are only 26. They're still pups for cryin' out loud. They have a lifetime ahead of them to do all sorts of fun and whacky things.

Secure the financials, get the house in order, then play to your heart's content.

gonegril, yer my kinda people. Good to have folks with your common sense hanging around here.

There are a lot of ways to lower your cost as you can already see. Definitely figure out a way to go, but don't financially strap yourself as this will just add more stress and take away from your vacation. Here are a few tips/ideas....
(1) Find the resort that speaks to you from your research. Whether it is CTI, CSA, CN, or CSS, you will love it. That I know for sure!
(2) Once settled on a resort, book the least expensive room category. We have stayed in several different levels and I can assure you that each is magnificent. Plus, you don't spend THAT much time in the rooms anyway.
(3) Decide what your budget will allow and book for that many nights. Trust me, even three or four nights down there will be wonderful for you. I always say anytime in Jamaica beats great time here.

And probably most important.......Book on the Love-Away-Plan. THis allows you to book through the Couples website with a $100 deposit. Then, each month, they draft your account for $100. You have the option to set it up to draft more if you wish. We particularly like this as we never miss the money as it is gone before we know it is there. Then, when the balance is due (45 days before travel), we don't owe but a nominal amount. It is much easier to write a check for $1000 or so than it is for $3000, if you know what I mean.

From reading your post, I can tell you have put a lot of time and effort in already. The best advice is to go slow, think it through, and plan carefully. If you do this, then it will all work out for you.

Best of Luck!!!

Wow, I don't know how some of you guys are so lucky to get to Couples so cheap! This will be our second time, and both times were about $5K (both times at CSA in Garden Verandah Suite for 7 nights & 8 nights, respectively). Our direct flight from Charlotte (NC) to MBJ this time is about $1100 (RT total for 2 people, not including checked bag fees). 8 nights in the GVS room is about $3000 (& we booked with the FILA 2010 special last year, I think). So, without any tipping or other spending $, there's over $4K right there. I've monitored the airfare rates since we booked (in 7/09), and they've stayed about the same (actually it's gone up considering we booked before new baggage fee rules went into place).