Another no holiday year

northwalesd

Kim_kim wrote: »

Anyone brave the beach holidays solo?

I have, quite happily. I've never done long haul on my own though

Supernatural

Last year 2 friends and myself went on a Haven caravan break in Devon, cost the grand sum of £79 for all 3 of us. The cheap deals are out there

PeacefulWaters

skint_chick wrote: »

What B&B are you staying in? I'd love to go to Malta and my friend and I are looking for somewhere cheap to stay

Porto Azzurro. I've not had any breakfast yet. Hotel seems ok for the price without being anything special.

I've just had to pay €5 for wifi. A few eateries out and about charging less than €15 for a decent meal with a drink.

It was a challenging drive from the airport! I might take a look at bus options tomorrow.

Lovely weather today, greyer and cooler forecast for tomorrow.

svain

Holidays as a concept are over rated imo and in many cases more hassle and poor value (especially tied to school hols). But anyway, some people think they are entitled to one regardless of their financial situation. Ive never understood the methodology of saving all year for a fortnight abroad ..... If a holiday is that much of a priority then its not a holiday you need its a change in your lifestyle, area etc. Move to a nicer part of the country ,,, whether that be better weather, better scenery, quieter, busier or whatever floats your boat or get a better job if still in work.

TBagpuss

Muscle750 wrote: »

Were now at a age where all our friends are enjoying expensive holidays mostly retired early on good pensions. Us however havent now had a holiday even a small uk one for 3 years.We are both in our mid 50s and still have a mortgage all our kids have flown the nest and we just wish we could afford to get away but we cant. Lent some money to our son for house deposit no sign of that been repaid either . Just feel that its all work work and more work.

I can understand how this can feel frustrating, particularly if your immediate circle of friends all appear to be in a better financial position than you.
I would suggest that you start to think about practical ways you could improve your situation:

- talk to the son you loaned money to for a house. Make clear that you do see it as a loan, and ask them to come to an agreement with you about repaying it.

- Look at your own mortgage: If you don't want to keep paying it, or to pay at the current level, is remortgaging an option? What about downsizing, if you no longer have children living at home?

- Look at your finances more generally. Are there areas where you could reduce your expenditure to allow you to either increase your pension contributions, overpay your mortgage or simply afford to save towards a holiday? Even putting aside £10 a week would save you enough for a week away somewhere, if you hunt for a good deal.

In relation to holidays, as many other posters have said, here are lots of options for low cost holidays, both in the UK and further afield, if you are willing to do a bit of work to find them. And do bear in mind that you don’t know what your friends’ financial situations are. For all you know, they are paying for their holidays on credit cards and may have lots of debt.

Or they may be able to fund them because they have lost loved ones and have received an inheritance.

FBaby

If a holiday is that much of a priority then its not a holiday you need its a change in your lifestyle, area etc.

Really? Holidays are not just about relaxing under the sun. I love travelling because I love to discover that there is more to the world than our little town and set culture and attitude. It's actually a real mind opener to see how differently other people go through life just as do. I also get a real buzz from experiencing different landscapes as well as witnessing things I could never do where I live.

I personally find it very sad that people would not aspire to want to see what else there is on the planet, learn about different cultures and customs. Of course it is a treat to be able to afford to do so, but to actually say that it is a waste of money or time is very odd to me.

Candyapple

OP do you not get bored of posting the same thing again and again.......

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5568087

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5512813

svain

FBaby wrote: »

Really? Holidays are not just about relaxing under the sun. I love travelling because I love to discover that there is more to the world than our little town and set culture and attitude. It's actually a real mind opener to see how differently other people go through life just as do. I also get a real buzz from experiencing different landscapes as well as witnessing things I could never do where I live.

I personally find it very sad that people would not aspire to want to see what else there is on the planet, learn about different cultures and customs. Of course it is a treat to be able to afford to do so, but to actually say that it is a waste of money or time is very odd to me.

I dont disagree with that. If a holiday is part of your lifestyle then thats fine. If someone feels they "need" a holiday then thats another story.

maman

Seems OP has a massive bee in his bonnet and huge envy of friends who've been able to retire before him. Most of his ire is directed at public sector workers, especially those of an age to have a final salary pension.


What he conveniently forgets is that many public service jobs are poorly paid compared with private sector so the pension is deferred salary. Although many can retire mid fifties, it doesn't mean that they have a decent pension just that they've had enough. It will depend how many years of service they've put in. And unlike the private sector, the government decides on pay rises (through 'independent' pay bodies:D) and they've been very few and far between in recent years. I know there will be examples of poorly paid private sector workers too but just wanted to try to explain a bit from the other side.


What OP needs to do is take as many tips from the site as he can and save for a holiday although I doubt he'd be very happy.

happyandcontented

svain wrote: »

I dont disagree with that. If a holiday is part of your lifestyle then thats fine. If someone feels they "need" a holiday then thats another story.

Mmm not sure. We have a great lifestyle at home but often feel the need for a holiday abroad. Not least for the weather, the relaxation and the chance to see and experience things which we don't do on a daily basis.

By feeling that need we are not exposing any deep seated voids in our daily lives just recognising that it is a big world out there and we aren't here that long and we would like to see as much of it as possible whilst we can.