This is a trip/financial advice question.

There's a Danish concert I would love to attend in late November 2007 (Thanksgiving weekend, to be precise), and I would love to attend! Financially and honestly speaking, I really can't afford it.

It's close to my birthday (about 10 days prior), and I was given an idea of having a birthday party in mid-November and ask for money in lieu of gifts to get some money for my trip. I also want to get a part-time job.

I borrowed money from my mom recently, and I will pay her back in small amounts. If she found out about this trip, she would not trust me! Plus, I am going to need some starter tuition that'll be recycled (long story) for my entrance to the university for Spring 2008 towards my Bachelors.

Any recommendations? :(

You may not like it but....hold off on the trip and try again in a few years , when you can afford it.

I think you should wait until you can afford it, Mona. I know it's not what you want to hear, but it just doesn't seem like the right time. I think your mother would be upset, and justifiably so.

I know it's not a relative, but last year, our tenant's roommate moved out. My husband and I lowered his rent for six months because he couldn't swing the full rent alone. I heard that during this time, he took a trip to California. I never said anything to him, but this happened in July/06, and it still sticks in my mind. Loaning and borrowing money brings out such strange dynamics and feelings in people.

You owe your mother money, you'd have to get money in the form of birthday gifts from your friends, you've got tuition on the horizon. This trip just doesn't seem feasible now.

Thanks for your advice, Mikado and Janice. I was hoping to get any kind of realistic advice.

I have to agree w/ Mikado and Janice there, too. You need to think realistically. This trip is a luxury that costs quite a bit of money, not a necessity. As your situation stands right now, you can't afford luxuries like this. If you went on this trip to the concert, you'd be playing financial catch-up for quite a while, and your mom would be pissed if she found out about this. It's just not the right time- you'll need to wait a while. What's more important right now? Food, shelter, paying off prior debts... things like that.

I know - being a responsible adult sucks sometimes. Great things like this comes along and you really want to do it, but you can't. :(

Thanks, Allison.

I would tell my mom about the trip. I would not actually hide it from her. I would just let her know about the situation I mentioned above and discuss the early birthday party idea.

Yeah, being an adult bites monkeys at times. I have never been to Denmark, so this was a great incentive for sightseeing, the concert, and meeting up with international friends I wouldn't otherwise see. :(