Why is there so much pressure to go on expensive holidays?

**purpleprincess**

I've been away on my own and loved it!! Absolutely loved it!! Go for it! Why not!

PaleScene

Commiserations dinkylou, the hardest bit must be feeling left behind, but you're being responsible - if you can't afford it, you've more sense than to go.

I agree with the other posters who've said that you can take a break from things and it's often enough to still get that relaxed feeling - whether you chat up latino boys , take a British break or even stay home.

I'm a bit too experienced with the latter - even though I think it's still better than working! - as OH just doesn't like leaving home much. I once planned out a Eurocamp holiday for over two weeks for less than £300 at which point OH admitted that he doesn't like being in places where he can't understand the language or culture, though he's quite hard to shift in the UK as well! I might have another bash at planning something that just takes us away from home.

My Dad's favourite bit (allegedly!) of a holiday is planning the whole thing :rotfl: but I can relate to that a bit - I'd love to know I was going somewhere, and that would include feeling prepared having made sure I could afford it.

Sorry - this is very waffly!

ms_london

PaleScene wrote:

OH just doesn't like leaving home much. I once planned out a Eurocamp holiday for over two weeks for less than £300 at which point OH admitted that he doesn't like being in places where he can't understand the language or culture, though he's quite hard to shift in the UK as well!!

My mum was like that when we went to Northern Cyprus last year. Grrr!!!. She would not stop moaning. The heat, the food, blah blah blah. She might as well have stayed at home!! ((I sound like the adult!!)). The holiday was for 2 weeks but they ended up going home after the 1st week, so I stayed and had the 2nd week on my own - it was fab, I loved it!!

Went out with the locals, met their friends, went to local bars (rather than those full of english people), went to a local footie match - it was great fun!!

Aaahhhhhhh. xx

Dr.Lou

Hi Dinkylou,

I hate that question too.....but people are probably just asking to make up conversation.

I do love travelling/ holidays....but over the past few years, have really gone off flying and all the airport security checks, customs, immigration etc. (I put it down to one bad experience) so this year I would like just a simple cottage holiday in the West Country.

You could say that you don't like flying anymore (make up a reason), and suggest a break in the UK to your friends. There's loads to be seen if you think about it!

I also wouldn't worry too much about it, soon when you are DF you can do as you please with all the money you will have in the bank.....your friends may be spending like crazy and gaining debt all the time and not realise it until thier situation becomes really out of control...at least you are doing something about it now and doing really well by the look of things!

Broken_hearted

I have to dissagree I love my holidays and it's good for the children to see other cultures. The only holiday I hated was a Libra one that they messed up as despite being asked and reassured that wheelchair assistance was booked and the hotel was accesable, it wasn't but I am taking them to court in June. They treat us like dirt and their response to our complaint was slanderous.

vyvyan_2

At the risk of sounding like an old fogey I think holidays are now perceived as something that is needed and deserved, rather than wanted. Expectations have grown with as to the destinations too. All part of consumerism indeed but I like to think just how many of these holidays are saved for or paid up front, as opposed to on the never never.

fairylights_2

Chin up dinkylou! It sucks when you can't go anywhere and everyone else is. We are (shame shame) having two holidays this year. I'm taking OH to Montreal for his birthday pressie. He's been out of Europe once on a family holiday and I've never been further afield than Greece. I slaved my guts out working extra in the autumn and spring to get the debts gone and save enough to go, just the two of us, for his 30th pressie. The other holiday is a villa in France with my parents for the wedding anniversary in the summer. £50 crossing courtesy of Mr Tesco, and the week's villa rental will be about £200 - for all four of us and my parents too is pretty good.

I genuinely think big trips - the ones you're saying others are going on - are things to really relish and look forward to. Most people will just slap it on a cc or loan and not think about the cost, but at this point when you're so aware of your circumstances you wouldn't enjoy a trip like that for concern of what your repayments would be when you get back.

Why don't you work out what your overpayments/repayments are and where you'd like to go. Then the first few months after you get debt free pay that money into an account and plan where you want to go. It'll give you a target of what you're aiming for (besides general debt free ness) and then you can simply tell people you're saving for your trip of a lifetime. You could get cheap flights and stay somewhere relatively cheap but beautiful ... and you never know ... by the time you're debt free there might be someone to share it with!

aimme13

would so love a holiday alone (just dont think the kids would understand)!! that and getting someone to look after them for 2 weeks while im laying on a beach in a far away land .....oh now im starting to dream!........anyway i know im very lucky as this year we are of to usa for 3 weeks :j :j :j .....yes i know look at my sig. :eek: :eek: but...........
My brother moved there last year so we will be staying with him and his family (will cost nothing) :j
He has 2 cars so we can use 1 (free car hire) :j
and the kids have had no b'day or xmas presents from him for a year, so he has been putting money by instead and thats disney land paid for :j :j
lastly the kids had a small xmas present from grandparents and had money towards the trip :j :j
so although it is still a great struggle for me to save and we will be selling anything that doesnt move in the house!!! it has to be worth it....Then come September i will be throwing any spare cash at the debt.....but for now i feel its too good an opportunity to miss out on.

ms_london

vyvyan wrote:

At the risk of sounding like an old fogey I think holidays are now perceived as something that is needed and deserved, rather than wanted. Expectations have grown with as to the destinations too. All part of consumerism indeed but I like to think just how many of these holidays are saved for or paid up front, as opposed to on the never never.

Completely agree. However, if the holiday has been saved up for, then it is up to the individual where/when/how long they go for? Mind you, I put a holiday to Ayia Napia (I was 21, can you blame me!!) on my Barclaycard (ouch!!) and was still paying it off how ever many years later!! Oooops!!

ms_london

Does anyone else find it depressing that we only get 4/5 weeks off a year & the rest is spent working???!!!!!!!

I know its an obvious fact, but there has got to be more to life!! :0( xx