Booking a holiday when paying off debt

MOFSS

hanb wrote: »

A little break is good for you and you can get some amazing deals if you shop around! One of my best holidays was last year - a week all inclusive in a 5* spa hotel (the AI was the best i've had, private beach, free sea kayaking and all sorts!) in Ibiza (not the clubby bit!) for £180pp - the only thing not included in this was airport parking! Such a bargain and because the AI was so good, I only spent a tenner in the week I was there and that was getting a bus in to Ibiza town and some lunch while I was there. It can definitely be done cheaply if you have the patience to look around!

With icelolly - it's great for a guide if you don't know where to go as you can do a wide search and it gives you temperature guides as well as prices but the prices shown get about £150 put on top (whenever I've phoned for a quote) for transfers and luggage.

Treat yourself to a well earned break and enjoy it!

Where did you go hanb? Who did you book through please? Am looking for something just like this for me and my partner but we are saving for a house ATM so needs to be super cheap to justify going :-)

his_missus

I think people need to find a balance between paying off debt and their standards of living and well-being. An inexpensive holiday may mean you will be in debt for a little while longer but the benefits to having a break and quality time with family or friends far outweighs that.

As long it does not put you into much more debt, you should not feel guilty.

Are people in debt not allowed to enjoy life? Should they live solely off value beans and bread to pay their debts quicker? Should they feel guilty for treating themselves to a night out, takeaway, new top etc? Of course not!

Augustus_the_Strong

Go camping! It costs next to nothing if you can borrow the tent & stuff, or else buying it wouldn't cost more than the cost of one person's regular holiday, & then you'd be all set for years of cheap holidays. It's lovely. We are off to Cornwall next week.

catkins

I definitely think you should go on holiday. It's not like you are talking about going on an expensive cruise for a month which could cost thousands.

You have to have some fun and enjoyment in life and no one knows what the future holds. I know too many people who have saved and saved and not gone out or had holidays in order that they could retire early or go on a dream holiday or buy a dream house etc and almost all of them never achieved their dream either through illhealth or dying young.

Gary_Bighitter

It really depends on what type of debt it is. A lot of people don't seem to regard a mortgage as debt which of course it is and therefore those who say you shouldn't go on holiday if you have debt are effectively saying anyone with a mortgage shouldn't have a holiday, which is clearly ridiculous.

If the £4.5k you refer to is the sum total of all your debts then I really don't see that as a problem as you and your husband are in gainful employment. If on the other hand, this is debt on top of a large mortgage, I would at least pay off this portion of debt before considering discretionary spends such as holidays. After all, packing a suitcase shouldn't be a pre-requisite for aiding your sanity - indeed, staycationing can be most enjoyable at times.

001LJ

Get yourself on holiday, but if you do go abroad go all inclusive in a place with a pool and watersports as its unlikely you will spend additional money.

You can get very inexpensive British Holidays (Caravan, holiday lodges.....)

Or beg borrow and steal a tent, BBQ kit, camping stuff and 'rough' it on a bit of farm land (ask farmer first and offer small contribution as site fees.

Have a fab holiday! Every one deserves a treat

GSXRCarlos

By the looks of your signature you're close to paying off one of your debts, consider concentrating on that before going on holiday, sometimes that can be just as rewarding.

Out of interest, who's paying for the holiday, you, him or both?

Riablo

I would agree with others that you should have a well deserved break.

As an idea for a cheap holiday have you looked at trustedhousesitters.com

It depends what kind of break you want, but if you are prepared to look after someone's home and/or pets then you can usually stay in some lovely places compeltely free of charge, meaning you only pay for your transport and food etc.

I was amazed that these kind of arrangements existed. I live in the countryside 45 minutes away from Paris and need someone to take care of my two dogs when we come back to the UK periodically. It was going to cost us a small fortune to hire a housesitter and our dogs cannot go into kennels. A friend told me about this site and we have found some wonderful house sitters who do not charge for their services and in exchange get to stay for free in our home.

We have been so impressed with the arrangement that we are now considering applying for house sitting arrangements in other countries to try to make a holiday affordable for us.

It might be something to consider.

quidsy

enjoy your holiday & ignore the holier than thou's.

If you are paying your debts to your desired level & you feel comfortable with the repayments then have your holiday, there is more to life than living like a monk in order to pay off your debt 2 months earlier.

Don't get caught up in the "born agains" mentality. I consider them similar to born again Christians who are usually so indoctrinated in their new "religion" they can't see or can't accept a life outside of it.

florere

I think it depends on your personality, You are paying of your debt and a bit more which is very good, but I would not be able to enjoy a holiday until I was debt free, and you sound as if you would rather get it paid off as well, however there is your other half to consider and he clearly wants to go so it might be better for your relationship if you do go.