How has the economy changed your plans or affected your relationship with ur No

[singlefather no more]

How has the economy changed your plans or affected your relationship with your Novia , girlfriend or wife ?

I was talking to a guy the other night that does not post on any boards or forums. He was telling me that after many months of chatting and 2 trips to Colombia where he got engaged on his last trip that he called everything off last week because it was getting too expensive to travel and proceed with his relationship...

I was quite surprised that someone would give up so quickly on love and future marriage just because times were getting tight..

Your thoughts and comments..


singlefather no more

..

[Pivery]

  My lady is in Barranquilla and although the ticket prices have gone down somewhat, her birthday is in April and I really want to be there for it. But my finances have gone off a cliff so I'm not sure how I'm going to do this.

My love for her is so strong, that I will swim there from California if I have to. I have no intention of dissapointing her, so I'm going to do whatever I can to make it happen. I also used to send her quite a bit of $ for expenses and for little presents she could go and buy herself on my dime, but lately that has shrunk down as well. She really doesn't care since she didn't ask for the $ in the first place, but this whole downturn sure puts a crimp on me trying to take care and see my lady as often as I would like to.

P.S. Still waitin' for the new link to your wedding pics.

Pivery

[eddomo1970]

I tell you it is putting a crimp in my plans. Was planning on the 2nd trip in September at the latest, now it looks like November or maybe even later. My company has cut all bonuses and 401k contributions for at least this year.

[satori]

Apparently the decline in income is overwhelming the improvement in exchange rates.  Things are getting even worse in SA then they are here in NA.

[lite sweet dude]

Not really for me. I've been 4 times in 10 months.
Lucky for me I'm in Florida so it's easier for me to travel to SA.
And once I'm there, I never spend that much. My gf (from Ica)  is pretty frugal and laid back. She's happy just strolling in the parque or hanging out at her aunt's house. We always take combies and buses in Lima. Once in a while, we'll hit Norkys for some pollo a la brasa. I think it sets me back about 45 soles ($15).
Then when we're in Ica, it's usually off to Huacachina and sandboarding on those giant dunes. Again, a cheap date.
I never feel the need to spend a lot of money and be extravagant.

[eddomo1970]

I know what you mean. My first trip to Barranquilla i spent no more than 600 for the week including hotel and going out for meals twice a day, with company. The plane ticket set me back a 850, total cost of 1450 for 6 days wih my girl.

While that is not alot of loot per se, delaying a trip by 2 months is a byproduct of the economic times we are in. Could be worse, knock on wood.

[utopiacowboy]

It hasn't affected my relationship but it's making me nervous. Toyota is offering packages to its employees to cut the workforce. If enough of them don't take it, layoffs may be coming. Luckily she says it looks like enough are taking the package so we can breathe easier for a bit.