Dear Nat: I’ve been planning to go to Cancun for spring break with my friends. We have the tickets and everything, but my parents still don’t know about it. They’re really strict and I’m sure they wouldn’t let me go. My friends and I are flying out of Portland, my home town, so my parents are going to notice when I pack up and leave. Should I just leave without saying where I’m going or lie or tell them I’m going somewhere they would approve of? I have to go on this trip without my parents finding out!
— Seeking Non-Parental Spring Break Fun
Dear Seeking Fun: Whoa! Hold on a sec! Do you honestly think your parents, who most likely can detect alcohol on your breath the minute you walk in the house, won’t be able to see right through a lame lie about why you’ll be away for a week? The first idea you’ve been contemplating, leaving without an explanation, would surely set your parents’ nerves on fire. They’ll assume you’re doing something incredibly unthinkable, like joining a cult or porn modeling, and they’ll spend spring break wallowing in worry and fear. Your second tentative plan, telling them you’ll be in a tame location for a week of wholesome activities, won’t exactly fly once they find out you were actually drinking half-naked on the beach. They might just decide never to trust you again. And, worst case scenario, if they don’t know where you are, they won’t be able to contact you in case of an emergency.
How about calmly presenting your vacation plans to your parents and seeing how they feel? Tell them Cancun is a common spring break destination for college students, and you’ll be going with people you know and trust. Explain the crazy stories they may have heard about teens escalating to drunken madness in Cancun does not mean that everyone who travels there goes nuts. Give them the idea that you intend to relax, spend time with friends and keep out of harm’s way while in Cancun, and you might gain their approval.
And if they absolutely refuse to set you free for the week? Well, you could go anyway. But then who knows how ugly things might get when you return home. So anticipate how badly your parents could hold this decision against you before stepping on the plane. If you can picture your family relationships becoming extremely wretched as a result, it’s time to decide if a week of carefree, youthful fun is worth sacrificing two lifelong relationships. If you want my opinion, I’d say it isn’t.
Dear Nat: I’m going on a road trip with some friends for spring break, and I’m low on cash. What are the best ways we can save money and still have a good time?
— Poor Road Tripper
Dear Poor Road Tripper: Kudos for choosing a road trip in the first place — it’s a travel method that’s definitely friendly on the wallet! Gas will be your primary expense, so I recommend keeping your tires at the proper air pressure to score the best gas mileage. Bring some extra emergency cash, but leave your credit cards and checkbooks at home so you won’t be tempted into a vacation shopping spree. Treat yourselves to the greasy, crispy, rich (and cheap!) tastes of fast food and pancake diners. Scour travel guides for the cheapest hotel rooms, and even if there’s a bunch of you on the trip, share the smallest room available — the coziness will lead to complete bonding, which is what road trips are all about!
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