Booking a holiday when paying off debt

ilovelondontown

I’m having a ridiculous moral dilemma this morning.

Husband has announced that he want to go on a summer holiday, where? Doesn’t matter, he just wants some sun. I’m currently on a money saving - DF mission, which is going really well and I’m ahead of target.

We can “afford” to go without reaching to new lines of credit and keeping up my monthly payments to all my debts but with my new money saving mind-set I don’t know what the “rules” are about booking a holiday when you’re in debt.

I fear I may get flamed for this but what are peoples thoughts?

timetogrowup89

I've booked a holiday using the money that I usually use to make overpayments.. So I still paid at least the minimum to debts.

I have also taken on overtime to pay for holiday spending money..

I would say go for it, everyone needs a break at some point! Just try and get a good deal. If your husband is happy to go anywhere sunny, then just boo time off together and try to get a last minute cheap deal?

ilovelondontown

Thank you timetogrowup89.

My thinking was we'd save up and see how much we have by the time we want to go (September) that way we wouldn't be commited to something we couldn't pay.

I think for my health and my sanity we need a break. I actually suggested we do something here in the UK but it turns out it wouldn't be much cheaper!

OneLife_OneShot

We booked a holiday for 10 days for Portugal I am going next Monday, we booked the flights well in advance and used booking.com and pay the hotel when we get there, gave me time to work hard and put money by for it. Everyone needs a break now and then.

timetogrowup89

Sounds like you already have it planned!

I feel like I really need a week of not thinking about saving.

(Not sure if you are allowed to name companies on here..) but I have heard that icelolly.com are good prices for short breaks abroad.
Haven't actually used them myself tho..

Hope you find somewhere great (and cheap lol)

Tomm20

timetogrowup89 wrote: »

I've booked a holiday using the money that I usually use to make overpayments.. So I still paid at least the minimum to debts.

I have also taken on overtime to pay for holiday spending money..

I would say go for it, everyone needs a break at some point! Just try and get a good deal. If your husband is happy to go anywhere sunny, then just boo time off together and try to get a last minute cheap deal?

^^^^^^^ This

Since our light-bulb moment we have actually been able to afford to go on holiday without getting deeper into debt.

Since sorting our finances out we actually overpay around £500.00 per month. We take one months over payment and "reward" ourselves with a cheap holiday.

It took me a long time to get my head around "extending" the time until we are debt free, but we both work and think we deserve a break.

Go for it but remember to set a limit for the holiday and spending money. Don`t forget extras like airport parking fees, transfers ect.

:beer:

OneLife_OneShot

I agree I set a budget as well, I have some emergency money in the bank should I need it on holiday but don't think I will need to use it.

ilovelondontown

Wow thanks guys. I was actually expecting a lot of stick for wanting to take a holiday instead of plunging more money in to paying off my debts.

I make vast over payments wherever possible so I can easily take a month "off" and still be ahead of my original DF date.

I think just working out the praticalities of it all are next, like conisme said, I almost feel like I need to book something, just to give me the incentive to work harder at saving to go away.

Wow, just the thought of getting away makes me go giddy!

timetogrowup89

ilovelondontown wrote: »

I think just working out the praticalities of it all are next, like conisme said, I almost feel like I need to book something, just to give me the incentive to work harder at saving to go away.

Wow, just the thought of getting away makes me go giddy!

I booked with a local travel agent and they let me pay a deposit to secure it, because I felt like I just had to book something to know that I would be getting a break.

The final payment was due 8 weeks before I leave but I cleared it much sooner by reducing my overpayments to other things.. Maybe if you look for something like this then you will have the incentive to save for something that you know you are getting?

OneLife_OneShot

I paid off a good bit of my debt this year and once I get back on June 20th thats me working for the rest of the year and nailing my credit cards finally.

timetogrowup89

conisme wrote: »

I paid off a good bit of my debt this year and once I get back on June 20th thats me working for the rest of the year and nailing my credit cards finally.

Ooohh if you get back on 20th June, you must be going away soon