Saving up, warming up and going up up up!

[utenlov]

It's no surprise that after my first visit in Jan/Feb I was smitten, bitten and a new story must be written! Oh, how I wish I could go back this instant. But alas, work, money and all things homely are keeping me here for now. Instead I will make do with what Norway has to offer at the moment. And it's not too bad! Sizzla is playing on thursday, but due to work I'll miss out on that one. But then it starts, Oslo Irie Easter Festival! It will be all things reggae for the whole week and I don't have to be at work. I've got my JB, my rum cream and Oslo is currently in a heatspell I have never before seen the likes of. (Albeit I do find it scary when I think of the big picture) To think that I might even bring out my good shoes during easter. Ah, I'm warming up here. And planning! It will take some economic twisting and tightening, but I will return next winter. It will be my stop smoking prize! Yep, I finally did it, 8 days without cigarettes and counting! So now maybe I will be the one bothered by smokers on the beach instead of being the botherer ;) I will do things differently next time, or at least that's what I'm thinking now. I won't have the same budget so I will need to find cheaper accommodation, but that seems to already be working out. I will miss the sight of the beach as the first thing I see when I open the door, but I figure it will still be there after breakfast! And I'm hoping to have three weeks instead of two. The flights will basically be the same as I really like the direct flight from London. I'm not a big fan of airports and everything that goes with it so London is by far easiest for me.
But before I'm back in the pardoxal paradise I will enjoy watching my own city turn into the beauty that is summer! Cause in my book, nothing beats Oslo in the summer:D

[Rando]

That's righteous, dude! :-)

[canuk cpl]

Congrats, on quitting smoking, I am going to give it a try too. I want to try a month in Negril, next year and it sure would help pay the tab. Cheers!

[Guirigay]

Rock it Utenlov, that is great! Your first drinking adventures and particularly bars may be difficult, they were for me at least. If you backslide just get back on that horse, you'll get there for good eventually! Sounds like our heat wave has spread your direction. Time for some crazy cliff diving!

[BrenJaLee]

Congrats on quitting smoking. Starting today, put the amount of money you would have spent on cigarettes into a "Jamaica Jar". As you see the Jamaica Jar funds growing you can be proud of your accomplishment of quitting and see your trip to JA that much closer.

[marley9808]

I agree with BrenjaLee...first congrats on quitting smoking. My last cigarette was June 10, 2009!
I started putting the money I spent every week on cigarettes into a savings account, by the time my wedding came around in October 2010, I had $2000 saved, and that was the money I used on our trip! Had a GREAT time too!

Good luck, keep up the good work, you can do it!

[cdn_79]

I really enjoyed reading your first trip report, glad to see you'll be writing another :)

[JnJLuv2Travel]

High five! I am hoping to quit as well. To think how fast our trip jar would fill up if both hubby and I quit! THAT is my motivation! Oh yeah my health too blah blah blah

[tfw73]

You certainly can save a lot of money that way! Jamaica can be just as addictive ;)

[MoFromMonroe]

Husband and I quit about 16 years ago (both chain smokers). I figure the savings is at least one trip a year to Jamaica. We can now do two trips!

[LLAP]

utenlov
Congrats on everything. If you put your mind to it you can do anything. Whether it's saving for a trip or quitting smoking. The key is put your mind to it. You've got to want to do it. What ever IT is.
I quit smoking in Jan 2001. It was tough but now I am really glad I did. A pack of smokes in NY is around $10.00. Now if my wife would quit.

[JnJLuv2Travel]

You certainly can save a lot of money that way! Jamaica can be just as addictive ;)


It is! This will be our 3rd trip in a 14 month period. I just can't get enough or seem to want to go anywhere else.

[Kevin, PA]

Hope to see you there again!

[utenlov]

Thank you all for cheering! Still doing good!
I have some things I need to sort out before the actual saving can commence, but I have layed out a plan. I'm not known to be the one who's good in the economics and budget department, so I think the level of pride felt when I actually manage it will be sky high. I mean, the feeling of managing something that you never managed before is quite exhilarating. I had that feeling when in January when I finally just went on my lifelong dream solo trip. I will probably have to look at pictures from Negril every day to keep me from spending my money elsewhere, but that doesn't really sound to bad. oh, and I can absolutely, under no circumstances, go into a shoe store.

[utenlov]

Hope to see you there again!
I sure hope so too!