Do I keep up this lie? Property nightmare

[dyslexicme]

Please share you views
3 Months ago I was talked into going to Australia by some close friends.
I booked the flight for the 9th Feb. because I thought the sale of my property was going through and I also had a second rental income.
Firstly the sale didn't go through with the first property then my lodgers in the second property decided not to pay their rent and moved out because the flat is full of Damp
(Faulty roof) .I got into a bit of a state and my father witnessed this and he has lent me �1500. Plus given me a bit more. My Mother also gave me money at Xmas in order for me to get out of trouble.
How do I tell them I am going to Australia for three weeks on their money? When I have all these other problems.
They know my difficult situation and I don't want to loose their love and respect.
I am scared if my father finds out about the Australia trip that he will disown me.
There is only one person that knows about the trip and she is threatening to tell them.
I have no money at the moment and I have to use a credit card to live. I owe about �5000 to a decorator and there seem to be continuous depts. arising. I have a bit of work to improve things but that still doesn't help the fact that I would be holidaying my parent's generosity Please help me make a decision.

Do I just not go and loose the �800?
Do I go ,and then lie about where I Am.?
Do I tell my father and risk him having a heart attack! ?

[Susie Strawb]

Personally I wouldn't go. If they have lent you money specifically to pay off debts then that's what you should use the money for. It's not worth falling out with your parents about. I'd rather lose �800.00 than the love and respect of my parents

Hope it all works out for you :)

[jno]

don't suppose you'd get the money back if you cancelled anyway, though it would depend on the terms of the contract. Tell your parents (people don't have heart attacks that easily). Tell them you intend paying them back. Draw up a budget, to include the repayments, and show it to them. Get a grip on your finances.

[LoftyLottie]

Just explain it all to your parents just as you have here, and see what they say. You might be surprised. As a parent, I would say, 'Go ahead, and enjoy yourself'. You were not to know that all this would happen.

[LoftyLottie]

And yes, I agree with jno.

[Ethel]

Don't go - not only have you got to pay your parents back, you owe money elsewhere and your debts are getting worse.

You won't be able to enjoy your holiday, and will be spending money you don't have. It won't stop at �800 - there will be spending money on top of that. If you're using a credit card just to live now, going on holiday is goingt o make it a whole lot worse.

Far better to see if you can get work of any kind, and find buyers for your houses, than go away.

[terambulan]

have your hol....tell a fib won the holiday, or free ticket offered on internet. You have the properties to settle debts when you return.

Enjoy life while you can......could be hit by a bus 2moro!

[LoftyLottie]

I have decided that Ethel is very sensible and I am a risk taker!! Perhaps that is why I am not rich!!

[LoftyLottie]

Yep, that's how I think as well!!

[dot.hawkes]

see if you can transfer the holiday to someone and recoup some of the money, you will have to pay a fee, and actually not sure if u are not too close to departure to do that, does the threatening friend want to go by any chance???

[redcrx]

tell your parents that you made the agreement but that you are now not going, hopefully they will see that as a mature decision and that you are prepared to see out your financial problems and not run away.

Its not as if you booked the holiday knowing that you couldnt pay it, did you.

[LoftyLottie]

What surprises me is that your parents didn't know that you had booked a holiday three months ago. Was there any reason you didn't tell them at the time - are you not a particularly close family?

[Ethel]

It's that decorator I'm thinking of - �5k down while his customer is holidaying in the sun.

[redcrx]

i thought the same thing lottie, to not tell your parents youre going on such a big holiday and yet being able to talk about money problems and ask for help paying bills.

and �5k to a decorator, surely that mustve been agreen whne the property was let and you had funds?

drop the sale price of the property and get it sold asap

[MrBounty]

I cant believe someone with high debts would even contemplate going on holiday - especially after being "helped out" by their parents!

That would be a major insult to both of them.

Plus, i dont think the decorator would be too happy if you haven't paid his �5000.....

Wise up and cancel the holiday - thats the last thing you should be doing right now!

Once all your finances are sorted out, then maybe think about heading off - until then, forget about it!!

[LoftyLottie]

It has made me rethink, Redcrx!

[eash]

3 weeks in Oz isn't long enough anyway. Wait until you have paid all your debts and saved some money then go to Oz for 3 months :-)

[sandmaster]

I wouldn't go. You will be increasing your debts at a time when prudence is important. But tell your parents what has happened. I am sure they will support you - they clearly love you.

[Nosha123]

my father gifted �1000 to myself and my sister for xmas as he inherited some money. He said we were to spend it on ourselves and treat us.. my sister used it to pay off her credit card!
Now I know that in the long term she did a sensible thing - but my point is my Dad was hurt that she used the money for that purpose when that wasnt what he had intended it for.
So - I think your parents would be really hurt to see you go away when they have both been really generous to help you get out of your messy situation!
Australia isnt going anywhere - and you have a whole lifetime ahead of you to go there on day.. just not this time!

I recommend biting the bullet and cancelling the trip! Its the right thing to do!

[sue11]

I completely agree with Ethel and most of the other similar comments. You would be crazy to go to Australia and rack up more debt as you will need spending money. You will simply return to a worse mess and very upset parents as well as the decorator.
You need to think with your head and not your heart. I am sure your friends will understand your financial problems and will be happy for you not to go.
You may be able to sell the trip on Ebay to recoup some money?
As others have said, go to Australia when you have the money in the bank, you will enjoy it much better!
Best of luck, Sue

[jkkerr]

Nosha - your sister did use it to treat herself, only she'd bought the treats in advance!

I understand your dad's point but if you are worried about a debt then I would consider it a treat to suddenly have the cash to pay it off.

Dyslexicme - don't go. Be honest with your parents.