Free vs Saving Up?

keyaira04

 MissusD1116 's last post had me wanting advice for my situation. 

My spiritual parents are planning to gift FI and I our honeymoon location. They have a timeshare in TX (Piney Shores Resort), so we would just use sone of their time. But I am reading such bad reviews on Yelp, Google, Yahoo, etc. I have been stressing about this for a week or two if I should stay with this gift or look into a Sandals or Carnival honeymoon. Being two young professional not long from graduate school (well, he is still there), free is awesome, but not if its going to be a awkward time. FI stressed me out even more last night with the thought of finding the money for a honeymoon in our budget. He also will not go to Mexico and wants to stay on US waters. As far as what we want, I think we would like each other, just a nice room, a good bed, some good food, and some water to dip in would be nice. I would love somewhere with art, jazz and museums, but that might have to wait for our 1st or 2nd anny trip. 

I'm asking Yelp-ers who reviewed in the place in the last 8 or so months to give me some feedback about their experience with their timeshare there. Here is one of the messages I received back so far: "I do enjoy my timeshare at Piney Shores, now taking my honeymoon there, I would not. It is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, not a lot of civilization around if you know what I mean. Yes it is close to the Woodlands, which is very nice, but it's not exactly honeymoon romantic. I'm not try to put it down, I got the timeshare because I like to get a quick getaway in and be able to use their accommodations elsewhere for vacations. There isn't much to do at the resort, they haven't even gotten the pier going with the water sports together yet. I would suggest the Sandals resort, you will have a much better time.  Save Piney Shores for another day. I hope this helps you out a little bit, don't want you to be disappointed with your experience. Best Wishes!"

I'm about $2,500 or so under budget (max $10,000) at present time and with 13 or so months out, I can make many changes. This was my cushion money, though and I liked the idea of having that money for any surprises.

Ladies, what do you think. Should we stay with the free honeymoon? Start looking and saving for a low-cost honeymoon? Any advice? 

Thank you ladies in advance. 

M1ssJ

hmmmm.... Im torn because you said just outta grad school which means loans are coming due.... which means save money. but if FI want to stay in the US you can have a lovely cheap getaway to Cali or Miami.... I would say yes for under $700

20pearls16

Well Sandals will put you over $2,500 easy. I am looking for a short 3-4 day trip too. I found Miami and Puerto Rico for under 1K for two. Also (this can be a little tricky but worth it) see if you can trade locations. I have a timeshare in FL that I rent out all the time. If they belong to an exchange company you can trade and go where ever you want.

staten2012

20 pearls has a good suggestion. My parents also own a timeshare and there are ways they can "bank time" or whatever with other resorts outside of their "main" resort, if that makes sense. Perhaps ask your spiritual parents if they can still gift you the timeshare but at a different resort. I think that would be my first step.
If that's not an option, I'd say save the free resort for another time (like the first year anniversar getaway) and take the $2500 and have a nice vacation here in the states. Arizona, Las Vegas, Wine Country California, Florida, New Orleans, and Savannah are all nice locations in the US that offer ambiance, romance and are EASYYYY on the wallet.

footballwife77

I agree with pp's if you can trade then do so. Otherwise i suggest take the free vacation. You'll have MANY years to make it up. Maybe take a fabulous re-do honeymoon/graduating present to the both of you guys once things have settled down and both of you are out of school. Good luck!

MissusD1116

If you absolutely just can't get with the free trip, and can't transfer, I agree that there are other stateside places to go where it's not so expensive. FI and I absolutely love Hot Springs!!! I've been in the summer and the fall and both times are great! Also, don't forget about the groupon getaways.

happe2gether

MissusD!!! I agree with you about Hot Springs. I LOVE The Arlington Hotel for their great bathhouse services. It is definitely a nice getaway. In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_free-vs-saving-up?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:8fa47d3a-c989-4654-8d6f-71aad0aff09cPost:3c43f153-bab4-40f1-911c-49d78dde6048">Re: Free vs Saving Up?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you absolutely just can't get with the free trip, and can't transfer, I agree that there are other stateside places to go where it's not so expensive. FI and I absolutely love Hot Springs!!! I've been in the summer and the fall and both times are great! Also, don't forget about the groupon getaways.
Posted by MissusD1116[/ QUOTE]

RealHappyGal

If its free vs nothing for now, take free.  If you can spare the cash for something better, do it.  But, I'd take the timeshare and even if there is nothing to do .....Im sure you guys will find "something to do" 

mejai1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_free-vs-saving-up?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:8fa47d3a-c989-4654-8d6f-71aad0aff09cPost:8a461627-54b0-4c4a-8b13-7f1e7cccd3bd">Re: Free vs Saving Up?</a>:
[QUOTE]If its free vs nothing for now, take free.  If you can spare the cash for something better, do it.  But, I'd take the timeshare and even if there is nothing to do .....<strong>Im sure you guys will find "something to do" </strong>
Posted by RealHappyGal[/QUOTE]
<div>
</div><div>LOL... this is true... but... it's your honeymoon. Piney Shores doesn't sound all that romantic, but i'm not familiar. But, you are right to have some cushion $ in your budget because a bunch of little stuff comes in at the end that you hadn't thought about. </div><div>
</div><div>PPs are right that there are a number of options that could be affordable. People mentioned stateside... what about Canada? Montreal or something like that? </div>

joneka

my mom and dad have a timeshare at Piney shores on lake conroe..i love it...it is secluded..its like camping...they have cabins and condos...with your own space..its a very pretty property..you dont have to leave if you dont want to...its like a mini house...but if you want to shop you have outlet mall in conroe or the woodlands mall...or you can go into Houston...red cat cafe..downtown restuarants...the only sucky thing about trading is black out dates..but they do have other resorts in galveston..montana..and others..aww we didnt get a chance to have a HM because of work but this wouldve been a nice mini moon..but I have to put it out there like a pp...its not romatic like the sandals resort..theres no beach...and I dont remember any water sports the last time I went...we swam, but the people that I saw riding a jet ski..brought their own... Its not alot to do on property except make a baby..lol..but if you cant go all out to where you want..its a nice getaway

Yolie1098

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_free-vs-saving-up?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural Wedding BoardsForum:400Discussion:8fa47d3a-c989-4654-8d6f-71aad0aff09cPost:3c43f153-bab4-40f1-911c-49d78dde6048">Re: Free vs Saving Up?</a>:
[QUOTE]If you absolutely just can't get with the free trip, and can't transfer, I agree that there are other stateside places to go where it's not so expensive. FI and I absolutely love Hot Springs!!! I've been in the summer and the fall and both times are great! Also, don't forget about the groupon getaways.
Posted by MissusD1116[/QUOTE]

I LOVE Hot Springs too, next time we have to get a boat house. 

keyaira04

Thank you ladies. You have all been so helpful! 

Thank you for the advise of trading the location: NEVER thought of this! There are a few resorts we can trade, with 3 having Yelp reviews. They are not rated very high, but at least they are options like going to CO or IL, which would save money on airfare. The one in Fraser, CO looks promising with a hot springs and a jazz fest two weeks after our wedding date. I will ask my Spiritual parents about this trading possibility. 

And you are also right that we could do a make-up in a few years, which is what my MOH did. 

THANK YOU KNOT SISTERS!

MissusD1116

@ happy2 Yes! We had a bad experience at the Arlington, mostly because the folks next to us was cussing at their kids all night and the floor we stayed on was the one to the pool so it was a lot of noise at odd times. @ yolie We will get us a boat too one day! I had that very thought!

chescam

Just throwing this out there but groupon has very good deals under the getaway section. Some are also all inclusive. The ones to the DR, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Belize and the Caribbean are really inexpensive. There are tons of US deals too. Go with your gut feeling about the reviews. You don't want to be worried on your honeymoon

MrsSmith2Be02

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/cultural-wedding-boards_african-american-weddings_free-vs-saving-up?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Cultural%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:400Discussion:8fa47d3a-c989-4654-8d6f-71aad0aff09cPost:469e9825-2472-4c5c-acb4-94caa8eb3fc7">Free vs Saving Up?</a>:
[QUOTE]  MissusD1116  's last post had me wanting advice for my situation.  My spiritual parents are planning to gift FI and I our honeymoon location. They have a timeshare in TX (Piney Shores Resort), so we would just use sone of their time. But I am reading such bad reviews on Yelp, Google, Yahoo, etc. I have been stressing about this for a week or two if I should stay with this gift or look into a Sandals or Carnival honeymoon. Being two young professional not long from graduate school (well, he is still there), free is awesome, but not if its going to be a awkward time. FI stressed me out even more last night with the thought of finding the money for a honeymoon in our budget. He also will not go to Mexico and wants to stay on US waters. As far as what we want, I think we would like each other, just a nice room, a good bed, some good food, and some water to dip in would be nice. I would love somewhere with art, jazz and museums, but that might have to wait for our 1st or 2nd anny trip.  I'm asking Yelp-ers who reviewed in the place in the last 8 or so months to give me some feedback about their experience with their timeshare there. Here is one of the messages I received back so far:  "I do enjoy my timeshare at Piney Shores, now taking my honeymoon there, I would not. It is kind of out in the middle of nowhere, not a lot of civilization around if you know what I mean. Yes it is close to the Woodlands, which is very nice, but it's not exactly honeymoon romantic. I'm not try to put it down, I got the timeshare because I like to get a quick getaway in and be able to use their accommodations elsewhere for vacations. There isn't much to do at the resort, they haven't even gotten the pier going with the water sports together yet. I would suggest the Sandals resort, you will have a much better time.  Save Piney Shores for another day. I hope this helps you out a little bit, don't want you to be disappointed with your experience. Best Wishes!" I'm about $2,500 or so under budget (max $10,000) at present time and with 13 or so months out, I can make many changes. This was my cushion money, though and I liked the idea of having that money for any surprises. Ladies, what do you think. Should we stay with the free honeymoon? Start looking and saving for a low-cost honeymoon? Any advice?  Thank you ladies in advance. 
Posted by keyaira04[/QUOTE]

While I didn't read the entire post, my idea would be use the free and save up for a really big anniversary trip.