We are two friends (and housemates) Kate and Eric. We move through the world very differently. So submit your queries, problems, questions and musings to get both of our unique perspectives. Our qualifications: Someone asked us to do this.
Inquiry:
Hi Eric and Kate! I’m currently studying abroad, and my housemates are going on a spontaneous trip tomorrow to a nearby city. The only problem is that train tickets are about $80, and I’m not sure if I want to spend that amount for a day trip. If we go in a few weeks, the tickets would only be about $20, and we would be able to plan ahead for the trip. I don’t want to feel like I’m missing out, but I also want to think about my budget. What do you guys think?
Eric:
While I don’t know your exact financial situation, and how close you are with these housemates, here’s what I do know: FOMO can truly drain the spirit, but I think overpaying for a trip you dislike is even worse.
Seeing as you have the whole rest of the semester to go and explore this other city, and a $60 discount due to time, I think you should wait it out. I personally find large-group travel headache inducing and somewhat embarrassing (like, why are so many of us being loud on this train in a foreign country?). Think about it this way, by letting your housemates go ahead without you, you’ll be getting boots on the ground and any recommendations they have. You like to plan ahead, now you’ll have the whole internet’s advice, plus the intel of your housemates. Yes, you will likely miss out on some moments of group bonding — and that sucks — yet the thought of overpaying for a seven hour group trip is enough to keep me at home.
When your housemates get back, ask them to recount their trip, listen and learn about their time. You’ll get to hear about all their group bonding, all the while having not spent a cent!
Kate:
I think you should go on the trip tomorrow.
Studying abroad is a time to challenge yourself and explore new places. I believe that going on this day trip will be very rewarding for you. You will be able to explore somewhere that you really want to visit and can bond more with your housemates.
Spending a lot of money when you could be spending a lot less in the future is a hard decision. But I think in this case being a little spontaneous and outgoing is warranted. It’s easy to feel isolated studying abroad and I think going will avoid that issue for you. I think the fun you will have on this outing in the larger group and avoiding feeling left out is worth the extra spending.
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