How essential are holidays?

carolt

I'm one of those who love holidays - couldn't bear not to have at least 1. That said, in laws retired to sunny Spain, so we have v easy and cheap holidays as we wish - just pay for flights.

For UK hols, camping is lovely - shame the climate is so horrid.

wageslave

You are all making me feel much better about my foibles.

God knows I appreciate it.

I was seriously impressed by the lady who included her holiday in her budget.

I dont think she meant the few figures I scribble on an envelope every month

globalds

I had a month in Malaysia this year .
I Only do this once every couple of years though ..So it kinda equals out.

Mainly because my boss would not be to happy but also because I have been overpaying the mortgage so funds have to be stretched ....To be honest it is the match betting that pays for the holidays ...All the hard worked for cash goes to push the mortgage free day closer .

As far as essential ..No .....But once you do a few they can become so enjoyable that they become part of what you're doing it all for .

penguin83

Im the same as you Wageslave - holidays do nothing for me. I haven't been on hoilday since I was 12 and have never been abroad. I love days out though and would much rather go somewhere for the day and be home to my own bed by nighttime! x x

aliasojo

I used to think holidays were just an expensive luxury that could easily be done without. For me, the money could be better spent elsewhere...paying bills, improving the house etc etc.

However, years of 'all work and no play' has ensured our relationship has been near breaking point several times. We became bored and boring, uptight and stressed out.

I now feel that people do need to invest in themselves in order to remain balanced. I dont think you need to spend loads on flash holidays abroad, but I do think a relaxing break, wherever it may be, is a necessity rather than a luxury. Even if it's only a cheap weekend in rain soaked Clacton. (Sorry to any locals, lol.)

daveyjp

Already booked one of ours for next June and we are counting down the days to our trip away over Christmas.

We work to live and holidays are a major part of our work/life balance. So much Earth so little time!

Errata

A roof over your head and food in your belly are essentials. Holidays are a lifestyle choice.

ess0two

Did'nt bother this year,also fed up with beach holidays now.Booked for New york next year,looking forward to a city break for a change.

lynzpower

Id say holidays are an essential. I could adn have done without them, but I much prefer not to. In the last 12 months we have been to Orlando ( fun) Vegas, Malaysia and Amsterdam. weve also been camping in the Peak District.

Next year we have a wedding to attend abroad, and will probably take our dog for her first Eurp holiday, I quite fancy Sweden/ holland on the ferry. Im also angling for a weeks ski-ing but doubt we will get that.;) too.

I have paid for holidays on credit, of course. I wouldnt now, but then dont need to. We have no mortgage, no kids and no debt, and we save so why shouldnt we enjoy ourselves

Buffy_the_Vampire_Bat

We generally holiday in the West Country a couple of times a year - we budget for doing so accordingly - we argue that some of the moneysaving things we do like dropping down a brand in the supermarkets help pay for our lovely holidays. We do book really nice cottages, but we also make use of things like Clubcard vouchers for days and meals out, Nectar points for money off our shopping while down there, search the net for 241 vouchers etc.

Our big plan is to move to North Devon before we both turn 35 (various reasons for not doing it now which I won't bore you all with now ) but our two holidays a year down there fill the void for now

I would say though, if I had to get into debt to go on holiday, I really would not do it, but that's just me.