Holidays

SpagBol

Last time we went abroad together was honeymoon 7 years ago! My passport expired soon after and my sons don't have them. We camp for a week once a year in the UK and then stay with friends or have them here throughout the year to feel like we get away or have sufficient "change is as good as a rest" type of a vibe. We are lucky that we know people in nice "holiday destination" places and have a friend with a caravan that we can borrow or go with them every so often. We have done the Sun deals before too. These are all very good value if you take advantage of free things to do (beach etc) and eat much as you would at home (BBQ, spag bol, soup etc and not too many ice creams!) so you aren't spending much more than your normal weekly shop anyway. Unfortunately it is easy to get sucked into spending lots in the bar or amusements though so we prefer camping where we just treat ourselves to a bottle of wine and chill!

cottonhead

Its reassuring to hear how many people will go without a holiday abroad and shows that you can have a cheaper time and still have fun in the UK. Might look into camping - hubby has wanted to go for ages and I think it could be really fun snuggle up in the evenings in the country somewhere !

RAS

I think people need to separate out "needing a holiday" which is not necessary from "needing a break" which is very good for one's mental health and add in "enriching our children's lives" and "enriching our own lives" both of which separate this with and without spare money and probably contribute to the higher educational opportunities and health advantages associated with disposable income.

I met someone today who has not been to the local city (16 miles) in over 20 years. She may not actually want to go that much but for very little or no cost (she may have been an OAP) she could access things that are different to those in her home area.

Holidays can be very stressful; organising them, travelling and dealing with new things and sometimes unexpected events. A break from the normal routine may be less stressful and if combined visits or activities that stimulate us or relax us, could be more beneficial than a holiday costing lots of money.

I do like to see the sea a couple of times a year and my commuter pass allows me free travel on a few weekend buses into the hills. And there is nothing wrong with two legs or a bicycle.

rising_from_the_ashes

Last "proper" abroad holiday was in 1999.

I've had the odd day trip to York or Newcastle but TBH I can't afford them - now I am debt free, it is a new goal to be able to have one (have a friend who lives abroad and an open invitation to visit) but it just keeps falling down the priority list as stuff for the house has been neglected for so long, these are now turning into "must do's" and must be dealt with first.

Currently only £10/month is going into the holiday fund so we're still looking at years .... and years!

If I didn't have the pets, then I could afford a pretty decent holiday every year but for me, having the pleasure they bring for 52 weeks of the year is much more important than one or two weeks lying in the sun.

paulwellerfan

i have at least 2 holidays abroad every year.
i earn the money and i work really hard.
so i feel i deserve them.
as soon as i come back from one i am planning the next.
it gives me something to look forward to.
i am booked up for cuba in feb.
by the way i dont have any debt ( other than my student one) which i will be paying for the next 25 years.

katsu

We took an overseas holiday this year. The last time we went overseas was over 6 years before. We have had short UK camping weekends every year with friends, but we just weren't in a position to afford anything more.

I agree with RAS that it is a really good idea to take a break from work and from normal routines, spending quality time with those you are close to. That can be satisfied with day trips, time at home with a change of routine, it doesn't have to involve expensive holidays. I really enjoyed our holiday this year because it was all funded from savings - we did treat ourselves a bit but we were still moderate on some things - a couple of nights somewhere nicer and the rest in budget accomodation for example.

I'd like another holiday sooner than 6 years but I recognise the need to save for it first, our house also needs work etc. I think foreign holidays each year are probably not realistic for most families.

Northern_Princess

Holidays are really important to us. We normally do one long haul and 2 short haul a year as well as a couple of city breaks. I live from holiday to holiday looking forward to them.

Cynical_Monkey

paulwellerfan wrote: »

i have at least 2 holidays abroad every year.
i earn the money and i work really hard.
so i feel i deserve them.
as soon as i come back from one i am planning the next.
it gives me something to look forward to.
i am booked up for cuba in feb.
by the way i dont have any debt ( other than my student one) which i will be paying for the next 25 years.

Student debt is still debt - not judging you, just clarifying.

Personally, I have a week away every year with the in laws - We tend to go to Guernsey or Jersey where the weather is good, the people are nice and things aren't too expensive.

Every couple of years though, we tend to have a proper holiday of sun, sea and sand - Last year was Dubai and even though we ended up spending in the region of £8k for 10 days, I actually have no regrets.

Much like paulwellerfan, I work hard and added to that, it's a high pressure job that leaves me at melting point almost daily - I need to escape from reality or I'd end up killing someone

Swans1912

Northern_Princess wrote: »

Holidays are really important to us. We normally do one long haul and 2 short haul a year as well as a couple of city breaks. I live from holiday to holiday looking forward to them.

Sounds like my wife

BlushingRose

Mr BR and I had a holiday last summer, for 5 days, in the UK paid for by my parents (well they paid accommodation).
That the first holiday we've ever had since we met, and we wouldn't have been able to have that, had it not been for the family. We tend to have a day out here and there instead of a holiday.