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anyway, I'm dead set on going to England this winter to see if things work out in person between me and Nathan and just to enjoy my first transatlantic winter holiday... really, any winter holiday out of Texas. yes, I'm going to freeze my ass off, but it's worth it.
Hopefully I will have some sort of job to have spending money in college and when I go (oh, and I will stay with Nathan when I go, or other friends, so I don't have to worry about lodging). so I think I have three options:
1. Buy it with my own debit card. Problem: my mom can still see my checking statements. I opened a joint account with my mom because I was still 17. I can't go and transfer to my own account without her consent and being there at the bank when I do so.. so yes. If she saw +/-$600 gone to some online airline site before I had a chance to tell her, she'd go NUTS. I'll tell her in November, when I've well paid it off and everything is pretty much set. My aunt said she's going to have a stroke when I do tell her. bleh, deal, lol. I can't refund tickets online, and I'm of age, I can do what I like. This is out of my own labor and money.
2. Get a credit card. I'm 18, and I can do that. It's just not a very safe person for someone like me... I love shopping, but I will definitely use it sparingly for this situation. If it comes down to this, I might just have to. Can anyone recommend a good place to start off with? Low interest, etc.
3. Get someone else to buy it for me, and I'll pay them back well before I leave. I have a good friend who could possibly do that, but I'm not exactly clear on how that works, since the person paying is not the one traveling... and..? Clarify, please!
thank you for reading, and thanks again in advance for your comments and advice!
[x-posted to
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brits_americans & loversfaraway] 
Deleted comment
July 16 2005, 09:30:10 UTC 6 years ago
thanks, I'll definitely look into that and keep it in mind. thank you again!
July 16 2005, 09:30:41 UTC 6 years ago
When in a foreign place the two most valuable items you have with you are your passport and credit card. Provided you've still got those you should be able to get yourself home whatever happens to your other possessions.
It is usually possible to get someone else to pay for you, especially if you're doing it far enough in advance - they'll be more concerned about fraudulent card use so if it's bought and paid for far enough in advance that shouldn't be so much of an issue. Security is the other one but once again, they'll have enough time to check you out if it's bought far enough in advance.
July 16 2005, 09:35:41 UTC 6 years ago
yeah, I've been abroad a lot (Southeast Asia) but never to Europe. It's a little backward, because everything costs more there, not less. and I'm already appalled by the exchange rate, even if it's dipped a bit, it'll probably be back up by Christmas time. and that already makes me wary.. won't buy too much aside from necessities and a couple souvinirs or something nice.
I have my US passport in good condition, and I always have my debit/Visa card on me.
yeah, but I'm just afraid that if I find a cheaper fare a little later on, that'll suck. oh well, risk I'm willing to make. thank you so much!
July 16 2005, 09:44:05 UTC 6 years ago
July 16 2005, 09:45:54 UTC 6 years ago
July 16 2005, 13:12:30 UTC 6 years ago
July 16 2005, 23:16:40 UTC 6 years ago
July 16 2005, 10:54:00 UTC 6 years ago
And I'd recommend getting your own credit card. If you're worried that you'll use it irresponsibly, well, this is a good time to start learning how to manage money wisely. :)
Have a good trip!
July 16 2005, 23:17:32 UTC 6 years ago
still considering the credit card, thank you! I'll let you guys know how it went :D
July 17 2005, 03:50:24 UTC 6 years ago
July 17 2005, 05:11:57 UTC 6 years ago
July 16 2005, 10:58:01 UTC 6 years ago
So tell your mum you're going to do it, or do it and then tell her you have.
You can't very well go around making 'adult' decisions if you aren't going to actually act like an adult (and you can't expect to be treated like one if you're sneaking around like a naughty kid)
July 16 2005, 23:19:00 UTC 6 years ago
July 16 2005, 14:46:30 UTC 6 years ago
If so, I've been in the same situation as you, but in the reverse. I was the guy over here in England, with the American girl wanting to come over and visit me. I don't remember how she raised the subject with her parents, and got them to agree and support her decision to come over here. A few things helped though, such as I wrote a letter to her mum to introduce myself properly to her - seems a little weird I know, but I think it helped a lot.
The result is that, after many trips now for both of us back and forth, we are now getting married over there in September this year, before settling back in England (initially).
I'm sure the guy you're going to be visiting is a nice guy, and everything will work out the way you hope, and the way it did for us. Do be prepared though for the two remote possibilities that either you don't get along as well in person as you hoped, or that he isn't a nice guy after all. If you know people over here already that's great, so you can go and stay with them if you need to. Good luck, and I'm sure you'll have a great time, and it'll be the start of a great stage of your life. :-)
As for your question - as others have said, having a credit card is very useful when travelling abroad. I would certainly go for that option if you can, and will be sensible with it. There is no problem having someone else buy it on their credit card and you pay them back, but do be aware that the ticket will likely be charged for when you buy it, rather than when you travel.
Pete
July 16 2005, 23:22:51 UTC 6 years ago
my mom knows of Nathan, they've never really properly spoke, but she's seen him on webcam and walked in on me talking to him loads of times. she sent off packages for me and even buys me calling cards so I won't call long distance from my cell phone and kill the bill.
:D and I'm happy for you!
yeah, we've both discussed before that it'll be weird the first few days and that of course we act a bit different offline. I have other friends I could ask to stay with if anything falls through. thank you so much again for your advice!
yes, still heavily debating with myself over a credit card. good luck to you and your fiancee! it's lovely to hear of success transatlantic relationships!
July 17 2005, 08:02:09 UTC 6 years ago