Holidays whilst still in debt

yung

bride2be2006 wrote:

Lucky you!! What on earth did you move to this god forsaken country for when you could be there!!!

I did not have a choice I joined the Navy

Have a dhal puri or three for me

will do I like them too.

PercyPig

I definitely think if you can save for it, you should go. Just because we are dealing with debt doesn't mean we have to wear hair shirts and eat dry bread The majority of my debt was built up by going on holiday on credit. For the first time ever, I am going away at New Year and have paid for it not on credit and I already have the spending money saved up. It feels good.

I hope you do save up and have a fabulous time :j

poppy_f1

when i was deeply in debt i felt that i had deprived myself of that much (nights out etc) that i desereved a treat

themaccas

This is one that I have blown hot and cold with since my LBM. We had a camping holiday to Cornwall in July, it was fine but a week in a tent was not really my idea of relaxing holiday, however it was all we could afford and the site, petrol and food cost around £15 for the 5 of us so it was very good value. Since we came back we have managed to pay a lot more off our debt and I had another 'LBM' and thought that actually I was bloody happy with our DF date and decided to ease off the extreme moneysaving. Consequently we have decided to book a holiday to NY in March for 10 days for the 5 of us. We have been able to afford this by - Saving 2 months rental income from our house we let out which has paid for the flights. OH will be receiving backpay amounting to £1700 this month (substitution pay from April) and that will pay for the accomodation. All our spending money will be earnt extra (see my sig) and our airport parking will be covered by tesco clubcard deals.

Becoming debtfree is not only about paying back your debts as quickly and efficiently as you can but also LIVING within a budget, thinking outside the box and having a life at the same time whilst being comfortable with your DF date.

What I am saying is I think you should save up for the holiday and go, you need to LIVE and you will find it will spur you on to think of ways to raise extra money towards the holiday so long as you feel happy about it all. If you think you will regret it and continually beat yourself up about the decision then I would say not to go and wait for your DF date.

Good luck with whatever you decide
hugs
x

HairyHandofDartmoor

I am saving £100 per month to go on holiday next summer (that is for 5 of us to go to France). It will mean the debt is paid off a bit slower, but the kids are getting older and we don't have that many years left to take them on holiday with us.

If you need a holiday then I would go for it. As long as it is a controlled decision not an impulse of the moment, and it will not put you further into debt or even stop you paying off debt, then go on holiday and enjoy!

lil_me

We did without whilst getting back on our feet and things paid off, was much nicer going this year (ok so was only in England) but without the sleepless nights. Hoping to maybe go abroad next year. I feel it is better to deal with the debts first then enjoy what you have, but each to their own.

sideshow_matt

We went to Cuba last year, even thought we were in debt. We went through the same should we shouldn't we dilema. The whole thing cost us £1500 quid, including all spending. We had such a great time, that when we came back we attacked the debts with gusto, in an aim to be able to go again. We didn't get to go this year, but will be going again asap.

For me, I found that if I hadn't have gone, I would have spent on other stuff, trying to make myself feel better about depreving myself.

lil_me

I suppose maybe the other difference is I am not used to going on holiday, had 2 days in Paris and 6 in Lanzarote so not exactly had many holidays to loose out on. Never been abroad since the children were born.

climbgirl

Well, it's your decision after all and themaccas is right - it all comes down to whether you want to bring your debt free date as close as possible or if you can live with being in debt for that much longer.

Having said that, in my opinion spending what amounts to over 10% of your total debt on a holiday is a waste. Sure, you've saved it but that's a lot to spend on a holiday for one person if you're carrying that much debt. Why not go somewhere a little closer to home and spend a bit less than that?

You say it's the holiday of a lifetime and I'm not doubting that it'd be fantastic. But it's plainly not a "once-in-a-lifetime" thing, Goa is always going to be there.

Like I say, it's your call ultimately. But personally I think it's an awful lot to spend on a holiday when you've got that amount of debt.

crawley_girl

I think the whole point of this site is to save money and to be savvy with your money... albeit by using as many methods as possible eg. quidco/ vouchers/ codes etc etc.

Don't beat yourself up over a holiday. I went to Crete in October but I budgetted for it and paid for in cash, instead of whacking it on the credit card and ending up paying 3 times the cost in interest etc.

Only you can make the choice and to be honest, I did feel guilty about booking it but soon got over that!

If you want to go, budget for it and save for it. We all deserve a treat now and again.

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls