Holiday dilemma

FatVonD

We're going to a caravan for the May/June half term paid for entirely with Clubcard rewards vouchers.

I like the idea of paying the £50 per week towards a holiday rather than taking a loan, could you persuade your OH to go away during the October half term instead? We've always been really lucky with the weather then.

pukkamum

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Have you thought about going away in the May half term instead of the Summer hols? It might be a little bit cheaper but still good weather at that time of year. In fact nicer for the younger ones not too hot!

We would but unfortunately DH's holidays are fixed and he only gets 2 weeks in summer, in the school holidays!!

pukkamum

pinkshoes wrote: »

I wouldn't enjoy a holiday if it was paid for with borrowed money.

Why not save the £50 a month and then you'll have £700 for a holiday next summer, and you can enjoy it even more knowing it's paid for with hard earned cash!?

This is what we have intended to do for next year but it's this year that DH really wants to get away.

shellsuit

Why not wait till next month, when the summer 2012 brochures come out or the online agents (such as alpharooms/travel republic etc) release theirs.

You could pay a cheap deposit on booking and it could be all paid for next year by the time you want to go?


Obviously, if you really want to go this year, then the only thing is to get a loan, which I wouldn't advise, but then it's upto you and your OH!

Any

How big would the loan be and how long for?

I think everyone needs to recharge their batteries... If he works hard and long shifts you need to think of his mental and physical health as well.

However saying that getting into a loan for 5 years for quick fix is not the answer. Next year or the year after you are in the same situation again.. But already in debt! The problem is not having a debt per se, problem is long term living above your means and increasing it until the bubble bursts.

So if you do go for the loan, it must be sensible!! If it's paid off in a year I would go for it and try to save up some also during the year for the next holiday fix, but if it is long term commitment I would also be worried like you.

In which case I would just pay down a deposit for some holiday and then at least OH has something to look forward to... there is nothing worst then work dusk till dawn with nothing to get up for... (not disregarding the family or anything, you know what I mean... looking forward to something makes everyday life easier!).

belfastgirl23

Well a few things occur to me.

How are things financially at the minute? Could you agree to go if everyone is superfrugal between now and the holiday and see if you can gather up at least a good downpayment on what you need? You could get the kids to sort through old toys books and clothes and carboot/ebay. A good way to get the whole family involved in MS ways

the other thing you could consider, depending where you live, would be a houseswap with another family? Do you have any family members who might be interested? If what you want is a change of scene that is.

I also know that I have friends who just literally find the cheapest holiday departing from where they live and go on it, regardless of where it's to (except if it's somewhere very expensive).

My experience is that these things don't go away and that your DH will probably feel very deprived if you don't do something...if you could just do it with a minimal level of debt that would be the main thing.

As an aside, don't forget the eurozone is relatively expensive at the minute because of the exchange rate - does anyone know of anywhere that the OP might benefit more in terms of exchange rates?

bylromarha

Again, another one here who would steer away from debt for a holiday. Having said that, only you know your circumstances.

Does it have to be abroad? Or on a plane? You can get some pretty cheap flights to Eire with Air Lingus or a ferry to France included in the cost of Eurocamp type tent holidays abroad. Or there are some great holiday flats you and the family can stay in in places like Exmouth - cheaper than a static caravan. When you analyse what your OH wants from the holiday, is it the complete break or the abroad feeling?


My thoughts are

1) How about something like Eurocamp?
2) Do you have any Clubcard vouchers which could be used towards it?
3) Have you thought about taking a cheap flight with Ryan air/BMI etc and finding a cheap youth hostel type place to stay there in a family room?

And has OH realised that if you get into debt THIS year going on holiday, then you'll be paying it off for a while, have nothing to put into a future holiday pot and the cycle will likely start all over again?

Oh, and passports for all 3 kids puts £150 on your bill immediately.

Star1

If your hubby only gets 2 weeks in the summer, he must also get the odd week here and there. Is it worthwhile comprimising and only going away for one week at a time when it's cheaper? x

chalkiesalem_2

if you can afford it why not. We have taken a £4000 loan for our holiday to Orlando in November

Lunar_Eclipse

Depending on how bad things have been lately (bereavements/fatal illnesses etc) I wouldn't do it.

However, if you decide to borrow money for a holiday, would it be possible to increase your mortgage instead of taking a loan? I say that because the interest rate should be substantially lower, although you may need to pay an admin charge for the privilege. If you went down this route, I would still encourage you to pay if off quickly (eg your £50/month) and not let it sit on your mortgage debt for the long term.

Instead of the loan, could you look into boosting your income to pay for the holiday this year? If you went at the end of August, that would give you 4 months to earn money via ebay, babysitting, second jobs etc. Could that work?

Another thought: youth hostels. I find camping is still expensive during peak school holidays in this country. Or I wonder if you could find a cheap self catering cottage. Or a house swap?