Taking a holiday when in debt?

ms_london

tesuhoha wrote:

I dont think its such a good idea for girls to travel alone and you will enjoy yourself much more if you have a companion.

Disagree with that & it seems that a lot of people also share the same opinion. Obviously in terms of safety you will need to be careful, but no more than anywhere else. I will apply the same rules when I am travelling that I apply here - let people know where I am, not wander the streets at night alone etc etc.. I think that travelling alone can be a very rewarding experience - have done it before in the past and have met so many great people!! ((plus I have been on holidays with friends in the past and wanted to kill them after a week, but perhaps thats just me :0)) xx

ms_london

sparkle_monkey wrote:

Thank you Hester, you said it perfectly. I know the lightbulb's not happened because I'm trying to reward my partial debt repayment with spending more money! I'm hoping I will feel better in the UK as I'm just quite isolated here. Japanese people definitely DON'T talk about financial concerns.
Tesuhoha - thanks for your suggestion, unfort my friend is on a sabbatical and has to be back at work before I will be able to afford to go.

Its natural to want to reward your hard work with a treat!! I think if you want to go, do, but if you are in two minds about it, perhaps wait until a time that suits you better. If you go when you are debt free, if you want to visit another country before you come home, or stay away for an extra month or so, it doesnt matter!

freebird65

Also have to disagree with it not being safe to travel alone as a female. Quite the opposite in fact. Of course you have to take basic safety precautions, but in Asia for instance lots of locals look after you....in India I frequently got "adopted" on trains and looked after by entire families who insisted on feeding me and leading me safely to my destination....it's part of their culture I guess and was great for meeting the locals. I always loved travelling alone....it teaches you a lot about what you're capable of and you frequently travel with other people....and move on alone when you've had enough of them.

Your friend won't be upset - just explain the situation to her and that you can't manage it right now.....she'll understand!

tesuhoha

ms_london wrote:

Disagree with that & it seems that a lot of people also share the same opinion. Obviously in terms of safety you will need to be careful, but no more than anywhere else. I will apply the same rules when I am travelling that I apply here - let people know where I am, not wander the streets at night alone etc etc.. I think that travelling alone can be a very rewarding experience - have done it before in the past and have met so many great people!! ((plus I have been on holidays with friends in the past and wanted to kill them after a week, but perhaps thats just me :0)) xx

Sorry i only said that because im worried about my daughter. Shes 19, a student, and going to Thailand for a month. She is travelling with one of her flatmates, a male (a platonic relationship) and i wouldnt like it if she was going alone but I did not intend to insult anyone's independant spirit.

sparkle_monkey

Unfortunately I can't ask my dad that - mainly because of my own conscience - he's waited long enough for his money!

beautifulgorgeous_2

Discuss your plans with your Dad and see if he s ok for you to travel on "his" money. Try asking at work if your ticket has to be direct to London. If you could show them that your option need not cost them any more, is in fact cheaper or that you will pay the cost difference then you may be able to negotiate. booking now should be cheaper and in my experience businesses often don`t buy the cheapest option just the easiest.

beautifulgorgeous_2

Post crossed!!

tesuhoha

just see how much you can manage to pay off by August and then make the decision. Or do you need to make it before then?

sparkle_monkey

beautifulgorgeous, it's quite funny and extremely anti MSE but the Japanese government (who are paying for my ticket) won't buy a cheaper ticket, they don't want to save money because it's against rule 23 subsection A of the big handbook ; ) I tried suggesting it but this idea was rejected. Stupid or what? I'd be happy if they just gave me the extra £1200 for my trip - that's a good cause ; )

beautifulgorgeous_2

I sometimes think that big business try to be the opposite of MSE and spend the most. I could save them a fortune esp on travel and hotel acc with a little research.