Booking a holiday when paying off debt

JeremyCH

Debt is a hugh drain and stress but so is not getting down time and a chance to recharge so, if you can do this without going further into debt whilst maintaining your minimum payments then the odd holiday is not a problem. Go for a deal, don't be too picky about where you go and, equally, don't scrimp and fret about spending money whilst on holiday. Set a spending money budget and stick to it and if you spend all of it then so what as long as you can afford it.. I've lost count of the times I've been somewhere with money that has been set aside for a treat/break only to have my missus spend the entire time fretting about whether we can afford it - a real downer. Follow the money saving guide about travel insuarnce, spending money, mobiles etc. so you don't get any nasty surprises and, above all else, have a good time.

efsl

And no need to use a travel agent - all sorts of hints and tips here for finding cheap deals on line especially self catering studio apartments (TravelRepublic for example), use public transport to get to the airport, use public transport there - enjoy shopping in the local supermarkets or even better street markets. My partner and I have had a week in Majorca, one in Spain and and a week in Crete (all off season) over the last few years that cost about £500 - £550 for us both. We reckoned in the end it was cheaper than camping.... Have a fun time!

quidsy

If you can go during term time you can get really good deals. My aunt & uncle get deals to Thailand & bali for under 600pp for 2 weeks staying in top notch accommodation including flights, all because they can go during term time. They have yet to have a bad holiday. Check out the package deals, they usually get upgrades for free too.

Primrose

I personally hate debt of any kind so approach this dilemma from the point of absolute meanness. I would have a staycation or whatever it's calledi until any debt was cleared on the principle of Do I NEED it or just WANT it? But if you really DO need a break, find something inexpensive that will give you pleasure and if necessary pull your horns in afterwards.

StixUK

I have to say that the people who rave that this person shouldn't go on holiday seem a little bitter to me.

Do people stop their lives when they have a mortgage?? I don't think so.

Lets look at the bigger picture, having a mortgage is an expensive debt but you don't struggle, scrimp and save every single day for 15 - 35 years (depending on circumstances) to pay off the mortgage as soon as possible.

Debt isn't such a bad thing in it's entirety and can be useful if used wisely, when necessary and in moderation.

If the OP can afford to service the MIN payments for one month out of her entire DMP then she should be allowed to do it, it is only her that will suffer (i.e repayments taking longer to complete). If she deems that an acceptable risk to take, then so be it.

Go for it OP, just enjoy yourself. You are actually repaying your debts, which is greater than some of the people I see. Being in debt doesn't mean that you are a bad person and feel negative about enjoying yourself.

Life is short, sometimes you have to do these things.

Teacher2

There are some cheaps ways to have a holiday without breaking the budget:-
-house swap sites will allow you to swap your house with someone else abroad for a minimal fee
-relatives' houses when they are away
-friends' second homes
-house sit or dog sit for a family on holiday (on websites)
-have friends and family contribute to a holiday as part of a birthday/Christmas present (better than socks!)
Good luck!

katecheshire

Don't forget if you need a bit of sun to boost your mood in the winter months it can be cheap to fly to Malaga or somewhere similar, especially if you book early. We have been in December and February and weather was bright and pleasantly warm. Shop around for a good AI deal or stay cheap and cheerful ( I can recommend Hostal Guadalupe in Torremolinos) and it's quite different from going in the summer months. Local trains are so cheap for airport transfers or days out. Malaga itself is an interesting historic town and it was lovely to sit in a sunny square with a delicious lunch . . . in February!! If you can afford to save £5 a week you can have a great holiday for 2.

newsgroup_monkey

I'd go along with this and perhaps slightly more.....

If it takes a month extra to pay off your debts by going on 1 cheap holiday once a year, then it's got to be worth it.

Life is very short. You have to make the most of it. Debt does have to be paid off, but knowing that you're getting it down is a massive thing.

What's the point of going to work if you have nothing to gain at the end of it? If you want 5 years of misery and doing nothing whilst living off air, you might as well go bankrupt. At least you are guaranteed debt free at the end of it AND apparently you are allowed a small amount of spending money!

happyinflorida

I look at it this way. Are you paying interest on any of your debts? If so at what rate? If it's peanuts, go on holiday, but if it's not, then I'd scrimp and save even more to get rid of that interest - as to me, interest is like tearing money up or flushing it down the toilet - a complete and utter waste of MY money!

That's just how I look at it.

lynnejk

I was in a lot of debt a few years ago and, although I managed eventually to clear it all it has made me very cautious and now make sure I have some fall-back money in case the worst happens. However, I agree that it is good for your mental health and happiness to have some time with your partner away from the everyday stresses and strains at least once a year.


We do not have much disposable income so I budget everything monthly and this includes £50 for a holiday a month. We looked at the cost and feasibility of having a holiday a few years ago and decided the following:

• it is MUCH cheaper to go in Jan/Feb and you can still find some sunshine (Morocco, southern Spain etc ?)
• this means you miss some of the worst winter weather and save on heating costs
• factor in savings on fuel and travel you would have spent going to work
• self-catering most of time, buy local produce at the markets or other non-tourist shops and odd meals out
• look at using local travel instead of renting a car
• save your xmas pressie buying and treat yourselves to something on holiday
• if you smoke/drink bring back your full allowances

Really enjoy your holiday and start planning the next one when you get back