# You've been given $15,000 for your Honeymoon. What do you do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 21, 2005, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183 "2005-06-21T11:10:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/21 "2005-06-21T18:30:25Z")
Is a honeymoon defined as BOTH of us? Because I could take one hell of a trip all by myself on that money. Bus Wife, if she isn’t home watching Law & Order reruns won’t be happy at all, so her share buys her a nice TV, comfy chair whilst I go blow the lot on somewhere sunny with cheap hookers and gambling… Ok, seriously? Asia, South Pacific, and Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/22 "2005-06-21T19:11:20Z")
Well, we’d have to go to China to visit relatives, but with a favorable exchange rate and relatives to mooch off that shouldn’t cost to much. Spend a few days in Japan just to say I’ve been there, swing down to Sydney and say G’day to my uncle and cousins who have previously offered to let us stay at their place at the harbour, gratis no less. After that it’s off to Europe to vist (not in any particular order) Amsterdam (canals, tulips, Van Gogh, hash, what’s not to like?), Paris (very romantic, good food), London (with side trips to visit a few cousins, Scotland & Ireland), Germany, Spain, Egypt, Rome. Back over to “our” hemisphere; Hawaii, Alaska, Las Vegas, Mexico, Vancouver, Niagra Falls and then back home in time for football season. Thanks Unca Ivan! ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/23 "2005-06-21T20:15:03Z")
I’d buy a woman, first. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/24 "2005-06-21T20:18:55Z")
Put me in the “pay off debt and buy a house” club. Although maybe set aside $1k and have a really nice trip to Sequoia or Yosemite. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/25 "2005-06-21T20:19:54Z")
Depends on my mood… option 1 - Buy 2 economy tickets to Cairns in Australia, and work with a boat rental/chandlering company for a 2 week chartered boat with scuba equipment. I am thinking a small power boat for simplicity because mrAru is not an accomplished sailor and I wouldn’t want to run into problems and be the only rope sailor around…they have a number of companies that will charter you a boat, and supply it with foods and beverages. It would be wonderful - we could head to one of many small deserted islands and drop anchor, swim and scuba around, lay on the beach and enjoy being alone for 2 weeks. option 2 - if feeling urbane, 2 economy tickets to : New York - great museums, concerts, incredible selection of foods, theater, did I mention incredible places to eat… or San Francisco - great food, the SF opera, museums, Ebisu [did I ever mention how much I like sushi?] or Berlin [I have a good german buddy who we would co-opt to be a translator] - food, museums, kicky bars and cafes with live music, more music, more food, and incredibly friendly people [can you tell I love germany?=)] option 3 - pampering - economy tickets to Japan, and a week in one of their hot spring health resorts that is also known for food. massages, soaking in thermal springs, quiet and peaceful relaxation, and excellent japanese spa cuisine. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/26 "2005-06-21T20:22:33Z")
My 15 grand dream honeymoon would be a Trip to WALLYWORLD! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FlightlessBird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cdc98d/32.png) [@FlightlessBird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlightlessBird)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/27 "2005-06-21T20:52:49Z")
> [@](#): > > Charter a nice sailboat in the Mediterranean and stop all over the place, Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, The Canaries, etc. How much would this cost? cause damn, that’s the best idea I’ve seen! ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/28 "2005-06-21T22:22:45Z")
Depends on what ports we’d actually stop at/how long we planned on being on the boat and what kind of boat. Personally I’d want something between 40 and 50 ft. No crew, no guests, since it’s _ahem_ our honeymoon, and at least 3 weeks. Something like [this](http://www.charterworld.com/index.html?sub=yacht-charter&charter=sun-odessey-ds-131) would do, and it’s about $3K/week. 3 weeks is $9K. Add airfare, provisions, and spending money for our various destinations. Viola. The perfect $15,000 honeymoon. Now all I need is a Rich Uncle Ivan. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2005, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/29 "2005-06-21T23:59:29Z")
First, I’d buy a husband… StG ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/30 "2005-06-22T00:48:41Z")
I’d go to Antartica. ---
**Author:** ![Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7cd45c/32.png) [@Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glory)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/31 "2005-06-22T01:06:47Z")
First class air fare to France, [cooking class in Provence](http://www.patriciawells.com/cooking/provence.htm) (mmmm [foooood](http://www.patriciawells.com/cooking/provence-class-schedule.htm) , stay in elaborate hotel, possible sea side excursion while in France. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/32 "2005-06-22T02:56:00Z")
I don’t know whether I’d do the sailboat thing… I get seasick. ☹ The unlimited-layover ticket described by **DMark** sounds good, but I’d make it a pair of round-the-world tickets. Assuming my hypothetical new bride was from far away or overseas, we’d definitely stop in at the rellies’, wherever that might be. Otherwise, its’s the bargain-basement IYHF/Pasporta-Servo/camping/museum-hopping/landscape-seeking/canal-exploring/art-appreciating/music-listening trip right around the world (with the occaisional five-star break). Of course, if someone gave me USD 15k as I am now, I’d have to start by _finding_ a wife. ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/33 "2005-06-22T12:06:54Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > Sorry Uncle Ivan, it’s a gift. Real Gifts have no strings attached. It’s mine to do with has I please. If Uncle Ivan WANTS me to have a honeymoon and only a honeymoon, he buys non-refundable tickets and puts me on plane. > > I may need the $15K for a house, a business plan more than I need a honeymoon, which is fleeting. Either give trust me to know what’s best for me or don’t; but don’t give me a gift and dictate what I do with it. > > That’s not a gift…it’s blackmail. Hijackable enough for a [Great Debate.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6287996#post6287996) -Tcat ---
**Author:** ![Walkabout](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/46a35a/32.png) [@Walkabout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walkabout)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/34 "2005-06-22T12:27:05Z")
OK, I have to take the vacation, I only have a month, where do I narrow it down to? I think I’d have to take: A week in New Zealand; A few days in Sydney; A week or so going up the coast from Sydney to the Blue Mountains, Brisbane, Cairns, snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef; Fly over to Alice Springs and check out the Big Red Rock; A week in Perth visiting the cousins I haven’t seen since 1970. Of course, first class all the way in order to go through all of that $15,000. Alternately, I’d figure out an intinerary for traveling through Japan and China. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/35 "2005-06-22T12:43:54Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > The first thing I thought when I read the title was to have a $3000 dollar Honeymoon, and the put the rest into an investment. Yes. invest it. So, 40 years down the road, you’ll have a lot of money to spend on…I don’t know…a great trip, for instance…well…no…you won’t be able to travel anymore Seriously, I don’t understand why so many of you are advising to use the money for a downpayment on a house or investment when asked about a trip. Owning a house might be your personnal priority, but it’s not like owning a house is necessarily more important than having a great memory of an exceptionnal honeymoon. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/36 "2005-06-22T14:52:27Z")
Wow, that’s ten times my usual budget for a month of travel. I’m not sure I’m constitutionally capable of spending that much, even with a new husband along for the ride. That said, though, I think I’d have to go to the Galapagos Islands, since it’s one of those once-in-a-lifetime, don’t-have-the-money-to-get-there places I’ve always wanted to see. And spend some time in Ecuador and Peru, since they’re on the way (sort of), and maybe finish off the month somewhere else in the South Pacific. Or possibly I’d just go to Japan, if the guy is of less-than-adventurous inclinations. ---
**Author:** ![barracuda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@barracuda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barracuda)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/37 "2005-06-22T15:42:28Z")
[QUOTE=Seriously, I don’t understand why so many of you are advising to use the money for a downpayment on a house or investment when asked about a trip. Owning a house might be your personnal priority, but it’s not like owning a house is necessarily more important than having a great memory of an exceptionnal honeymoon.[/QUOTE] Maybe not to you. I, for one, \*\*could not \*\* enjoy an extravagant honeymoon/vacation, knowing the money I was spending could have been used to pay debts, start up a business, provide a downpayment on a house, whatever. Also, if I had to take a longer vacation than I had planned, in order to spend $15,000, I’d have to refuse the “gift” - it would actually cost money to not work in order to take that vacation. Was just talking this over with the SO, and some other points came up. If you give a very extravagant gift (as I understand from the context of the OP), and demand that the giftee uses it ALL for one specific thing, regardless of their needs or wishes, that sounds like a real power trip. And how is Uncle Ivan to know if every penny of his gift goes for the honeymoon? I could easily argue for a very nice $2-3000 trip (sending postcards to dear old Unk, of course). I see this as a win, win, win situation: Uncle is happy he’s given me a memorable honeymoon, I’ve had a memorable honeymoon, and I have money for the really important things in my life. IMHO, of course ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/38 "2005-06-22T16:17:29Z")
It’s a “what if” people! Reality has nothing to do with it. The OP asked IF your non-existant uncle gave you 15k for a honeymoon, what would you do. He didn’t ask what would you do if your non-existant uncle gave you 15k for a wedding present, in which case the whole pay bills thing would be fine. Honeymoon, concentrate here people. Besides, not everyone who gets married needs a down payment for a home, money to pay off bills, or money to start a business. ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/39 "2005-06-22T16:17:50Z")
Spend some of it up grading the honeymmon we’re on (in our case, Venice). Then, if I had my way, hiring a car and driver so we could go to Tuscany, hire a villa and explore the villages, that way we wouldn’t have to worry about Italian traffic or the designated driver missing out on the Chianti! Since that would only be a fortnight, there would still be plenty left to pay off my overdraft and some of my student loans. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2005, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183/40 "2005-06-22T16:51:03Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > First, I’d buy a husband… > > StG With a ritch Uncle, and a possible $15,000 honeymoon you wouldn’t need to buy a husband 😉 Those who find the Uncle controling, that may be true, but it may be in your interest to humour him, a 15,000 honeymoon gift may not be the only gift you will get from him. If he is old an inheritance may be possible or saving your ass if you get in financial difficulty. Using his gift in ways other than he suggested without at least getting permission from him would likely cut you off from future generocity. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/youve-been-given-15-000-for-your-honeymoon-what-do-you-do/309183.md?page=3)