First holiday as a single mum - panicing!

AnnieD_2 · 14 June 2009 at 7:03PM

Hi,
I separated last year from my husband after 20 years so this year I've had huge adjustments with lots of ups and downs. In July I'm taking my children 10 and 15 to Majorca for 2 weeks for the first time and I'm getting nervous. It's feeling like a huge responsibility right now with everything on my shoulders.

We are self catering. There is a small shop and resuarant on-site and some restaurants nearby. I'm not going to hire a car so any supermarket trip will require taxis. Obviously I'll stock up with basics but as a single mum I really need a break too so I plan to eat out as much as possible because I really don't want to be shopping, catering and clearing up. I have been careful over the last few months with this in mind so that I can splash out a bit on holiday.

My main questions are, How much currency should I take? Can I put most things on my Mastercard?

Any help and advice from those of you that have been there done that would be gratefully received,

Thanks,
Annie x

Magnolia · 14 June 2009 at 8:12PM

Eat junk for the week - crisp sandwiches and the like - something cheap on alternate days and then go out for a meal the other days. I am afraid that is what we do and we are an old married couple who are tight as a ducks ...........errrrrrrrrrrrr............... you know what I mean

KonkyWonky · 14 June 2009 at 9:18PM

Rather than spend on your mastercard have you considered opening a Nationwide Flexi Account?

It is basically a current account with a debit card but if you use the card abroad within the EU they give you the official Visa exchange rate when calculating. This rate is much better than what you can ever get if you change hard cash. The drawback is ofc that it is basically a bank account with a debit card so you do need to have the money in the account ie no borrowing like a mastercard. You also don't need to worry about carrying around a lot of hard cash, you can use the card at point of transaction or lift money from the ATM's.

Hauptmann · 14 June 2009 at 9:21PM

You should be able to use your bank debit (e.g. Maestro) card in local ATM machines - although note that your bank will apply a small change (typically 1.5% of what you withdraw) - so don't make lots of small withdrawls. The upside is that you tend to get a decent exchange rate.
Beware of on-site small supermarkets since they tend to pitch their prices rather high! Look out for a local Lidl/Aldi if you are on a tight budget and use the opportunity to each plenty of fresh fruit and veg (which tends to be relatively cheaper in Spain than UK).

Quackers · 14 June 2009 at 9:28PM

AnnieD wrote: »

Hi,
I separated last year from my husband after 20 years so this year I've had huge adjustments with lots of ups and downs. In July I'm taking my children 10 and 15 to Majorca for 2 weeks for the first time and I'm getting nervous. It's feeling like a huge responsibility right now with everything on my shoulders.

You've just got pre-holiday jitters. You KNOW you can do it...and you'll be fine.

I bet when you went as a couple you were the one who did most of hte organising anyway - you just didn't realise it

You'll probably find somewhere nice to eat withing the first couple of days and be able to stick to eating there - that may make you feel more comfortable maybe.

Its hard work adjusting to things like this after spending so much time with someone isn't it?

But its a new adventure & I'm sure you'll come back raring to book your next family holiday.

Have fun

:D

choccyface2006 · 14 June 2009 at 9:38PM

I was in exactly the same position last year, I took my daughters aged 15 and 9 to Majorca on my own too!

I was nervous, we'd been on holiday as part of a family for 3 years running this time we on our own...we had a GREAT time, nothing went wrong, we didn't miss our flights or transfers, we all made loads of friends (even though I got quite ill while we were our there) We did it, and you will too. Its okay to be nervous but there will always be other people in the same position and don't worry about asking for help if you need it.

I agree with others, open a Nationwide Flex account, take a smallish amount of cash as exchange rates will be better once you are out there (I budget about £750 for two weeks if half board, much less for AI and we always come home with plenty)

If you want me to send you my super-duper packing list, PM me your email address.........good luck............and relax............you'll be fine and you'll love the freedom...

Sarah xxx

pretzelnut · 14 June 2009 at 10:15PM

Take you r time there's no rush. I always panicked i'd get lost in the airport or miss the transfer bus and i used to rush everywhere in a fluster, but no i know just to calm down cos they will wait.

You'll really enjoy the break. I always pack a few things from home to get me through day 1 till i find the supermarket. Biscuits, mini cheddars or pringles, chocolate, box of cherry bakewells, bottle of ribena, couple of pot noodles or cuppa soups (in case im to ill to go out) some tea bags and mini UHtT milks that i rehome from service stations.

I only ever take cash so i cant comment on the mastercard issue but others have given you some good advice.

Have a fabby time - you will be fine.

pavlovs_dog · 14 June 2009 at 10:29PM

look out for 'menu del dia' at the local eateries - menu/meal of the day, which are probably the cheapest way to eat out.

old_motters · 15 June 2009 at 7:04AM

I don't have any suggestions but I do wish you a fantastic holiday. I'm sure your kids will love it and you will too once you see that it's ok to relax!

cjj_2 · 15 June 2009 at 9:47AM

Most important dont forget a really well stocked 1st aid box. I took my 3 kids on my own when they were about 6, 11, 12 (so you will be fine honest). D got ill and if no OH in middle of night you carnt just nip out for paracetamol. I had everything I could possibly need & more and got through it. She was soon better and we had fab time. The only thing I was really nervous about was I took them on train to Barcelona. When I got there I thought what the hell I have I done, I was paranoid I was going to lose someone because the place was so unbelievably large and very busy. I didnt stay long because it would have been an absolute nightmare if we had have got split up in such a large city, not speaking the language etc.

AnnieD_2 · 15 June 2009 at 3:56PM

Thank you so much for your replies. I'm very emotional at the moment (combination of reasons) so I'm finding it hard to think straight.

So with that in mind please bear with me here!

Will I get stung for charges if I use my Mastercard out there? Or Maestro for cash?

Can I open a Nationwide Flex account straight away? And do you mean that it's just an account that I put cash in and then can draw on via the ATM as and when I need it with less charges than the others?

How much cash should I take?

Are travellers cheques still in use or am I showing my age!!

Thank you for your help and your patience. I'm usually a sensible person but can't get brain in gear right now so please feel free to state the bleeding obvious lol

Annie x

First holiday as a single mum - panicing!

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