Holidays - are you really in poverty if you can't afford one?

shays_mum

I just think its a really expensive way to babysit in another country

ALI1973

Oooo I like this type of debate -

I never had a holiday as a child (Dad disabled, mum SAH and 4 siblins to boot) but I cant remember feeling that I was really missing out that much, we never had days out either as Dad couldnt manage them.

Anyhoo, I think some people today EXPECT the same standard of living as the jones next door who both work in high powered jobs have no kids and have inherited huge amounts of money! Why cant we just be happy with our lot?
Im grateful that I can feed and cloth myself and my kids, keep the roof over our heads, and IF we are able to save have a holiday, but even then we really budget and shop around for the best deal. I dont covet my neighbours three weeks in Orlando, a week in Spain (or wales for that matter) would be just as welcome so long as didnt have to get into debt for it.

Thanks for letting me have that ramble!
Love Ali

freebie_junkie

trying to keep with with the 'johnes' is teh single best way to complete and utter sadness and financial ruin!

Fairy_Michelle

My DH and I have been married for 11 years have three children and have never been on 'holiday' since we have been together. We are both scout leaders so every year we take the scouts on various camps and our children go away with their various organisations and take part in summer schemes at the local theatre and local chuches. We are not on the poverty line (yet) but are really not into holidays away from home> I live in the sunny? southeast so why go elsewhere.

SammyD_2

freebie_junkie wrote:

trying to keep with with the 'johnes' is teh single best way to complete and utter sadness and financial ruin!

Agree entirely - when I first moved to London I lived in a "posh" area, and even though I am pretty sure we were doing better than most people I always felt like we weren't quite good enough. The best thing we did was buy a house that was in a cheaper area, an area where most people have incomes much less than ours. Noone minds our 10 year old car sitting outside our house, or that we are not always wearing the latest clothes...and people are nice and friendly, a mix of old people and young families.

And I feel far from being the poor relations on the block that we actually have more than most (although noone would guess by outward appearances). It makes money saving so easy as you do not feel compelled to buy a new car/better clothes/nicer pushchair and you are not made to feel poor by looking out your window every morning at a wealthy neighbour.