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Do I go in debt to take my family on vacation?

My parents have rented condos on the beach in California in Sept. for all of the family. My family was planning on going and had saved up the money to go. A few weeks a go a little neighbor girl fell in my backyard and jammed 3 teeth up into her gums. Her parents are coming after us to pay the dental bills ( not using their insurance at all) through our Home Owners insurance. Our deductable is BIG, and to pay it we have to dip into our vacation funds. It doesn't leave enough for plane tickets. I hate credit card debt, but am thinking about using one to buy the tickets. We have been trying to teach our kids about finacial responsability and staying out of debt. My kids already know about the trip and have been saving every penny they get to go. WHAT DO I DO??

Public Comments

1. yes

2. It is ok to be in debt, as long as you dont default. in fact, its good for your credit.

3. I would pay the little girl's bill first and then see what I can do about vacation. If you go on vacation without paying the bill, you will be thinking about it the whole time you are suppose to be having fun.I never understand people. Why would they expect you to pay for their kids mistake?That's like you can't have anyone on your property, for fear of something happening. I would pay the bill myself and not invite the child or her parents to set foot in my yard again.

4. First of all, if you're being sued by them and not their insurance company, it might mean two things. One, it's a "double dip", where they're being reimbursed by insurance AND you. Double dips are illegal in most states. If their insurance paid them, their insurance will pursue you for reimbursement in which case I suggest you settle rather than go to court. Two, it may mean their insurance didn't cover the accident, which means they consider it the girl's fault rather than yours and can be used to your advantage in court. Discuss those possibilities with your insurance provider, and maybe a subrogation lawyer as well.

However, if you really have to pay this money, I think the responsible thing to do would be to wait a little longer on the trip. Use the opportunity to teach your kids about the responsibility of taking care of "needs" before "wants". This gives them the chance to save a little more (or spend a little bit of their savings on a treat for themselves, since they'll have more time to save again). If your kids see you do the right thing in a hard time, it will speak volumes to them about responsibility.

5. though one, iwould probably goin debt because i wouldnt want my kids to be disappointed because of an accident. and the ignorence of neighbors that aren't to neighborly. that is the chance you take when you let your kids play in someone elses yard besides kids will be kids . i hate to say this because it is not the child fault that the parents are doing this, but i wouldn't have the child back over the parent are sue happy. you only live once we are only here for a short time so go on the trip and enjoy yourself and being with your family because tommorrow is not promised to us. HAVE FUN!