How do you foresee these complications being resolved?
MsHdog: Spend the money on your kids, your wife, and then, if there is any left, yourself.
Me: Spend the money on myself.

MsHdog: (Underlying Core issues) Keep our finances under control, don't do things frivolously, appreciate me and acknowledge me for the sacrifices I have made, etc.
Hdog: Get my self esteem and power back on track. Get away from the Nice Guy Syndrome. ETC.

Is the trip the only way for you to "focus on making your needs a priority?" yes it's something that sounds fun and in all honesty I don't see a single problem with it AT ALL but then again I am not your wife \:\) I think there are plenty of ways for you to focus on your needs without weekend trips and any $$.

The flip side is that if you don't go on the trip, not going still does not resolve the underlying issues your wife brought up with unhappiness about the idea of the trip. You will still need to meet those head on. And by discussing them who knows, maybe the trip can become an option.

Just some of my thoughts anyway. Take them for what they are worth \:\) Like the Sundance Kid told Butch "You just keep thinkin' Butch. That's what you're good at."



But what is happiness except the simple harmony between a man and the life he leads? ~Albert Camus