Are we the only couple who can't afford a holiday?

JoolzS

DH and I have had three holidays in the 18 years or so we've been together. Part of me would love to travel more, but the other part of me really loves the fact that I remember every single detail of those three holidays. We have been to Rome (unforgettable), the Yucatan (wow, that was expensive, but worth every penny), and a tiny greek island (cheap holiday and fun).

I grew up during an age of "travel at all costs" and my mum kept nagging me to travel. I still remember a Cosmopolitan article that was entitled "But I don't want to travel!" and that was how I felt. I don't want to backpack or stay in a tent. I don't understand anyone who goes on a package holiday every year - I've done one package holiday as an adult and I don't need to do another. I don't see the point of paying a fair amount of money to fly to another country to simply get better weather. I burn after 15 minutes in the sun, I don't like flying, so I don't see the point of simply "going abroad".

I did supress my fear of flying and my ridiculously white skin to go to the Yucatan a few years ago. That holiday was horribly expensive (for us), but we got to see many of the Mayan ruins first hand and it was worth every penny. Rome was everything we'd imagined, and more. The greek island - enjoyable, but probably wasn't worth the expense - although I did get a kick out of the restaurant owner who had the guts to tempt people into his restaurant with the tag of "No chips!"

I don't see the point of going on a holiday just because it's the time you get off work. There are a few places in the world that I want to visit and I'm hoping that DH and I will be able to afford them during our lifetime. I'm just glad I've got to visit two of them. Two weeks at home with my DH is a holiday to me. I don't work so it's nice to get him to myself. Unfortunately this year he was offered two weeks working as a roadie for Bruce Springsteen so he's off doing that instead of being at home - I think I can forgive him :-)

Julie

stressymum_2

Nope, you are not the only one who can't afford a holiday or rather, would prefer not to spend your hard-earned money on a holiday this year. We have always had 2 holidays each year but as we are concerned about the long-term security of my husband's job, we thought it would be sensible not to spend the £1-3K that you need for a holiday, whether abroad or in the UK.

The plus side is, we are still debt-free apart from our mortgage and we get to enjoy the bumper scorching summer weather in the UK (fingers crossed!). We plan to do days out around the country with our 2 boys (aged 9 and 12), have lots of home-cooked BBQ and al fresco meals, invite friends (those who are around), put our garden and garden furniture to good use, and bring out the paddle pool to stay cool. I am quite excited by the novelty of it all to be absolutely honest!

Risingmoon

We thought we couldn't have a holiday this year until we discovered Youth Hostel Association vouchers available with points from Tescos. Now we're taking our 4 kids to a Cumbrian YHA for 3 nights in August... for nothing but the cost of the petrol to drive there! We have our own room and everything... the kids think it's hilarious that we'll all be in bunk beds!

fatpiggy

I bought a horse (yep, very non- MSE!!!) in 1995 and since then have had one week's holiday. I think I just pay for my vet's holidays. I didn't have "fancy" holidays even before this though, only once abroad, because that is how I was brought up. I could just about now afford one having become DF (yayyyy!) but like other posters, don't fancy going on my own - I spend more than enough hours alone as it is and singletons pay through the nose for the privilige which I refuse to give in to. Unfortunately though, I have developed the habit of not taking much time off as a result. Now if I could sell my annual leave...

RobbieD_3

This won't help if you have no money but if you have a low budget, all is not lost.
Firstly, if you don't have school age children - don't try to go during school holidays - it will cost between 30 and 60% more.

Secondly, Shop Around & Shop Around & Shop Around - Check everything and make the internet your friend. There are a huge amount of very low budget holidays available.

Third, if possible, holiday with friends - you get to share the cost.

Fourth, be as flexible as you can when it comes to the destination.

Fifth, don't just look for package holidays, you will nearly always get a better deal if you make your own plans.

Look at flights/train tickets/ferry deals - in the current financial climate almost everyone is offering sales. Get it right and P&O will take a car and up to 9 passengers to France for around £50. Use skyscanner.net to search for cheap flights. Use google to search for accommodation both in the UK and abroad and check out all the local directories - cottages in Devon, Villas in Spain etc etc.
There are certainly bargains to be had on very decent holidays.
Some examples of what we have done as a family of 3 in recent years (all during school holidays too - our daughter is only 1 but my wife is a teacher!!).

October half term - Austria - 5 days
Easyjet flights - £140
All inclusive 3/4* Alpine Hotel £65 per night - even included the booze
Car Hire - £110

Total £510

Easter Holiday - April 2009 - Mallorca - 7 days
Easyjet flights - £180
Villa in Puerto Pollenca £250 (Shared with friends)
Car Hire - £70 (shared with friends)

Total £500

Summer Hols - Aug 2008 - Devon - 7 days
Petrol - £70
Cottage Rental - £180 (shared with friends)

Total £250

So like I said - this won't help everyone - it won't create disposable income but all of these were during school hols. I'd say knock 30-50% off for other times.

ThinkingOfLinking

Hi OP!!

I've never had a holiday but would dearly love to see the world. I understand the frustration you feel when it seems everyone and their dog is going away bar you.

However, I had my first ever break last week; thanks to this site, I won some tickets to Glastonbury so I went away and had a great time.

Can you not afford something like a camping trip or a youth hostel?

Also, I'm saving up Tesco Clubcard vouchers to use towards a holiday next year...I have £40 worth in my possession at the moment, and this is a single person with no kids, who doesn't smoke, eats little meat and buys little alcohol. I expect another £40ish worth of vouchers to come in August's statement. Every little helps.....

Also, try mystery shopping; I've been offered flights all over the world...or entering competitions to win holidays etc...

Callisto

Unfortunately we can't afford a holiday at the moment, but I'm going to try and Ebay some stuff to raise money for a UK break later in the year as OH is ill and it will do him good to have a change of scenery and I've just got bogged down with work. I've only been abroad once, five years ago, all other holidays have been camping, static caravan or youth hostel in the UK.

Mrcow's 'collect memories, not possessions' I completely agree with, but first I need to get rid of the stupid possessions I bought as I thought they would give my life meaning... It's taken me several years to realise I don't need most of what I own, here's hoping I can raise enough cash to have a new holiday memory to add to my collection.

melorablack

My mum hasn't been able to afford to go abroad since sometime in the early 80's and I have only ever been abroad twice in my life - once for my 17th Birthday with my OH and the second time he took me to Paris to propose to me , we never had holidays when i was a kid so I don't miss not having them now.

blueguppie

We have not had a holiday abroad since 2001 when I was pregnant with my youngest. We have had some fantastic caravan hols tho with Haven. All the children needed was a beach and a pool and they were happy for hours. Finding a holiday for a family of five is as frustrating as holidaying on your own because we, too, have to pay out for supplements, many places cater for a family of 4. Caravans really are our best option. This year the children are staying with their grandma and we will spend the rest of the school hols having days out. There is certainly something to be said for coming home to your own bed!

System

Maybe next year we might get somewhere, Problem we always hit though is my summer holiday are set, 2 weeks from 12th July, these are when 90% of people take there holidays over here, and as my OH works in a supermarket and its a busy time she can't take it off.