So I wasn't sure where else to post this and I'm still sure not to do. My mother recently got engaged to someone she's been with for 5 or so years now, and I'm generally happy for her despite not being involved in the engagement and having to find out through the grapevine, so to speak. She sent a group text to the family after the fact saying that they were getting married in Vegas in about 8 weeks and basically expects me to go. After discussing going with my SO, we decided that it's best he doesn't go due to having to take time off of work and his recent switch to a new job that has a probationary period, as well as the resulting paycut he had to take when switching jobs.
-Estimated cost for flights to and from Vegas ranges from $300- $400 as of now which I realize may fluctuate.
-They have already booked their hotel - my aunt and uncle paid for their hotel as a wedding gift and they are staying at a 4 or 5 star that is decently expensive ($180-250 per night x 3 nights). My aunt and uncle and a few other close family members and friends are also going, and as far as I know they are staying at the same hotel.
-I don't think I would stay at the hotel but have looked at some that are in pretty close proximity that have ranged from $110-150 per night x 3 nights.
-Because my SO is unable to go, I asked my best friend to go with as a sort of vacation and to be able to reduce cost a little bit. She has to figure out some details first to see if she is able to go, but if she isn't I don't see myself being able to afford everything alone.
-My mother and I aren't really speaking as of now due to the engagement ordeal. She did reach out once asking specifically if I could go and I told her cost was an issue. Her only response was that it may be cheaper to fly out of one airport that is a little further drive but that's not an issue. She later said that they may be able to help with part of the flight cost if needed. I'd rather not have her help because frankly I'll never hear the end of it.
-I'm a college student with debt and I work a seasonal job that will be starting soon. I haven't had any time to save up for this unexpected trip and will only have about a month's amount of pay that I could try to save up. I did get a kickback check from my student loans that I really would like to use on living expenses and not a trip, as I can assume that's the dumbest way to use it.
Should I keep researching, try to find the cheapest options and use whatever I can save for the next month? Should I tell my mom to fuck off if she's not going to help pay for more than a flight without her trying to guilt me? I'm trying to find the best possible option financially and I feel like if I don't make an effort to go it will put a further strain on our relationship.
Submitted February 06, 2017 at 01:13PM by buckapotamus http://ift.tt/2kKV8ke
