Dave 311,

Do what many of my clients do...plan a trip about 1 1/2 year in advance and put down your deposit to hold the dates, then pay in clumps of cash as you get them...Christmas bonus, tax refunds, etc...

2nd mortgage the house, find the wife a good street corner to work...whatever it takes...

All good fun aside, try the pay in clumps method...It works and softens the hit.