*sigh* this may take a while

ohdearhowdidthathappen

FFRREEEE!!!! Boss asked me if I could work tomorrow and Friday instead as I've had 3 days 'off'.  Erm, no. 
Hopefully these covid rules change, isolation stuff is pointless as so easy to dodge.  So many people aren't testing etc it's all a bit of a farce.
I will very much miss masks at work though, I've had so many less bugs over the last 2 couple of years without the great unwashed breathing on me.  
Nothing much planned, taking my ma out for lunch tomorrow and have agreed to a lucrative Sunday shift as I've been off all week.  Watched Dune on Prime last night, good film! Watching Venom tomorrow night.. I'm sure my TV choices are getting less cerebral as I get older.
Have the option to get heavily discounted Merl!n annual passes via a friend.  Tempted, but even with  big discount, they're pricey... anyone had them, pros/cons?  In my head, they could keep all 7 of us occupied for the year.

VintageHistorian

I guess the real questions you need to ask yourself for whether the passes are worth it are:

1. How close is the closest Merlin venue? If it's over an hour will you really be willing to drive over there repeatedly? And is it something you could visit more than once a year.
2. How close are the next two closest Merlin venues?
3. How many times would you need to go to a qualifying Merlin venue over the 12 months to make back your money? And remember that will include taking picnics with you or needing to budget in treats like ice creams, and budgeting petrol or public transport.

I'd write it all down rather than keep it in your head as on paper you may spot where it starts to fall down.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Thanks VH..
Nearest is 30 mins away, 2 more are within 45 mins and London ones within an hour.  Food definitely something to factor in, although parking included (not London ones).  We'd need to visit 3 times per person to break even.... but London ones could do that in a day - MT, eye, Shrek, aquarium, Dungeons (for older ones).  
Will need a ponder.....

EssexHebridean

I reckon you'd need to work out a per person "on top" budget for the extras that will end up creeping in - as others have said food etc, plus of course travel for the London ones - not cheap although reduceable with a family railcard? It could be a great option for keeping everyone occupied and engaged, but on the other hand it could also end up meaning you actually spend more than you otherwise would on the peripheral stuff - and only you are going to be able to work that out I suspect!  You might also have to make very clear that it's a one-off treat for a year - and that after that year it stops, else it could end up being taken for granted a bit! If the family railcard might work and isn't something you have at the moment then remember you can get them at a bargain price with Clubcard points I believe. 

Drawingaline

I have always looked at the Merlin passes, but the basic ones don't include the stuff in London so has to be the more expensive ones, and even discounted ones are pricey. We tend to book the exclusive use days instead, because it's cheap and no crowds. 

savingholmes

Glad you are free and have a lucrative Shift 

ohdearhowdidthathappen

Thanks EH, DAL and SH
Yeah, would be the gold passes, they're usually £219pp and can get them for £99, but still 7 x £99 is ouch.  But then when we do a day at a them park, we say goodbye to £300 for the family....
I do love a lucrative shift, but still have to put the hours in.  When the money drops in our account it's nice, but the actual day of work is heavy going.  My manager is lovely though and the majority of my colleagues are fab.  Have had a good run of patients over the last couple of weeks, not too many weirdos.
The modality I work in means we have student doctors spend some time with us... I had one today with me on my morning list, he was really sweet.  He sussed out each patient to a tee and after each one, he said exactly what I had been thinking.  Favourite student doctor of the month award goes to him (so far anyway).  He was saying, he's already £100K in student debt and still has a year to go.  Ick.

ohdearhowdidthathappen

DH found out his bonus today which he'll get in Feb pay cheque, never sure how open I should be on here as he does get paid a lot really  .... makes me twitch a bit when I do a 10 hour shift and I get home to find he had one meeting all day and spent the rest of his day on the Xbox! 
He's getting £25K (more than my annual salary ) so will be about £14.5K to us once the tax man takes his share.
We're putting £5k into a holiday fund (2 UK breaks planned this year) and £2k into Xmas fund.  He wants us to have £500 fun money each, which leaves £6.5k... we'll put £5k into savings and the rest will go towards the next house project.  

tunathe_cat

Go for the passes and have lots of fun making new ,memories.  Just take a picnic/ disposable bbq and drinks with you. With passes you can select which rides you go on (not trying to cram the whole park in one day).  Take advantage of air b n b/ hotels for parks further away. Enjoy all the special events for pass holders x

enthusiasticsaver

The passes sound good value if you will  use them.  Nice bonus for your DH. Nice to be able to put in savings or allocate to future spending rather than repaying debt which you had to last year.