Help - can't afford to go on holiday that is paid for, what can I do?

missC

Hi there

I'm new to the forum and prompted to join due to a particular problem I have at the moment.
I have booked and paid for flights and accomodation (seperately) for my 4yr old daughter and myself to go away next month.
However, last week my company announced that they are in difficulties and as I am just bank staff my hours have been significantly cut.
I am currently working towards setting up as a childminder so am not overly concerned about my financial situation in the long term but my immediate situation means that I simply cannot justify going away and spending money when I may not have a job to come back to. Things are going to be tight enough for the next few months without the extra costs that travel involve.
I have contacted the agents that I booked my flights with and I would not get any refund at all but I could change the names on the booking for £120, and I also listed the holiday on ebay but the listing was removed because of the rules around being ATOL registered to be able to sell flights.
Does anyone have any advice on how I could possibly make any money back from this holiday?
Thanks

NickyMouse

Hi,

Sorry about your situation but If it was me, i would still go. You have sun, sea and I assume sand (depending on where you are going!).

You don't need to spend a great deal when you are there, you still have to eat even if you stay at home.

You can still have a great time with your daughter and a break will probably do you the world of good (time out just to enjoy with your little one:p).

If you're not going to get any money back, go and enjoy yourself, I would;)

Dawn

globetraveller

I also think you should just go. You say you have paid for everything. What type of accomodation do you have?

mintymoneysaver

I agree. You're not going to save much more money being at home. You'll have to have spends while you're there but at home you'd have gas, electricity, petrol to pay for.

McKneff

Life's too short, get yourself gone, worry about things when they happen, not before.

missC

Thank you for your replies
I would love to go, the only thing is that I still need to pay for my daughters passport (i know, I know I'm cutting it fine!), plus transfers and insurance. These things alone are going to be over £100.
I had originally budgeted a small amount for food etc on the holiday as we are self catering anyway, but given the fact that my wages at the end of this month are now not even going to cover my rent and bills, I just don't see it how I can do it.
I have looked at selling a few bits and bobs that I have but even then, any money I make will need to go on topping up my income to cover cost of living for the next couple of months.

zzzLazyDaisy

Something similar happened to me in the past. In the end I took the holiday, but did everything I could to ensure that spending money was kept to a minimum, including using local supermarkets to buy drinks and provisions for making picnics, and taking my child's bucket and spade, and beach ball with us in the suitcase.

All a child wants is sand and water, and some quality time with mum, to have a great holiday. As others have said, you have to eat at home anyway, and if your work does dry up, it might be a while before you get chance to have another holiday.

missC

oh and also the travel to and from the airport is going to be about £40. If I stay at home I would probably, realistically, manage on about £60 for the week including food and petrol...

miche8

I'd still go as its all paid for and theres no way of getting your money back- you'd still be spending money in this country, are you able to cook where you are staying? then you could cook simple cheap things, pasta etc, i find my family eats less when its hot, if theres a freezer you could make homemade ice lollys, you daughter would love playing with her mum all day by the pool and on the beach. Do make sure you take out insurance though, don't try to save money by not, i think we paid about £12 for 4 of us a few years ago. I also take biscuits, and cereal in my suit case, take a big bottle of drink when you go out to save buying one.

missC

thank you all, you are good at twisting my arm!
I may have to borrow the money for the passport and transfers if I go. I'm just so worried about spending anything thats not absolutely essential, not knowing if I'm going to even have a wage soon.
This would be the first holiday I've had in years, its just all come at such a bad time, its seems easier not to go.

dtaylor21184

Could you not sell it to a family member or friend your gonna lose the cost anyway I'm sure someone would take it off ya hands bear in mind they have to pay the costs you mentioned and transfer of name fee so they might not be able to give ya any money for the holiday on top of that. Other wise it's a waste really