Hello all!

I am in need of some advice/a second opinion on a matter. I am a medical student who has saved enough student loan money to buy an engagement ring and have around $3,000 left to attempt a getaway over Christmas break to celebrate our engagement.

My fiance-to-be (I hope!) loves traveling as do I. She has been many more places than I and neither of us are the sit and relax type. We love seeing new sights and experiencing cultures in different lights and from different perspectives. I am torn in that I could use some help with destination recommendations for Dec 27 - Jan 1. Most of the places I have found have crazy expensive rates for those dates because of peak travel season. I can get to Europe for about the price it would cost to head to Florida during those dates.

I have looked everywhere from Paris to Puerto Vallarta to Curacao to Iceland without making much headway. Any interesting/romantic/adventurous trips or ideas would be very appreciated!

Thanks to all!

AFAIK No serious med student in the USA thinks or writes this way.

Welcome to FT.

Here's an idea - put the money back towards the principle to reduce the interest on your loans, and instead propose somewhere locally.

This is exactly why I laugh when I see so many of my college friends on Facebook whine about needing "Student Loan Forgiveness" - too many of them wasted their student loan money on things like this that weren't directly related to their education. Big Screen TVs, PS3s/XBox's, fancy sound systems, exoctic spring break trips and other vacations, etc.

If you explain your starting point it would help.

I am not in favor of destination proposals unless she has hinted she wants you to propose - what if she is hesitant or says no?

Well, I had originally included a statement along the lines, "please spare me the lecture on saving my money, investing it towards my loan principle, etc," but deleted it believing no one would honestly feel the need to "inform" me about the error of my financial state.

If I were getting a psychology degree at a mediocre school and paying $35,000 a year, I would appreciate the advice; but, as I'll be a physician making upwards $2-300,000 annually, I am not that concerned about the dent the $3,000 would put into my $170,000 in student loans - especially at the expense of walking away from the chance to do some traveling amidst the hellacious state of medical school. I don't have cable TV, an xbox or PS3, and can't tell you the last time I went out, even to take the girl to whom I plan to propose out to dinner. Save your middle management "you need to invest in your future" talk for your grandkids.

I am starting in Indianapolis and not looking for a destination proposal, but a quick getaway to "celebrate" 1. having lived together for 6 months on the budget we did, and 2. being engaged. My hope is to find a place with a good amount to explore as well as some relaxation.

I hate to do this to OP, but I need to +1 here. Student loan $ should be used for education and living expenses, not going on vacation during a peak holiday window. If you provide us with your home city, we can provide both cheaper travel options as well as possibly creative ways to propose closer to home.

That you've been able to save part of the loan money is nice, but also indicative that too large of a loan was taken to begin with. Use that $ to pay down your loan, and start thinking about how you'll be paying for the wedding/honeymoon to come...

The OP has asked for travel suggestions and has instead been given suggestions on personal financial management. As the discussion is therefore likely to continue to go off-topic to the TravelBuzz forum, the thread is closed. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.