Do you have holidays if in debt?

HonmaDP

Holidays are a great way to recharge the batteries. I’m more productive when I’ve been away.

enthusiasticsaver

EssexHebridean wrote: »

This makes me want to cry. On the other hand, isn't Amigo one of the guarantor loans? In which case the person standing as her guarantor is every bit as bad.

I need to watch that panorama program about these awful companies who have stepped into the gap left by Wonga. Madness though to borrow from those sorts of companies for a holiday.

Dragonpie

I am happy to take a little longer to pay off my outstanding debt and still have holidays. I will always look for the best deal possible (I usually aim to spend less than £600 for 2 adults for flights, accommodation and transfers) but I know that we are lucky to be able to do this. I don't extend my debt to pay for the trips but I know that I need them for my own sanity!

JVRMac

Im on a DMP and we always try to have a holiday at least once a year, although the last time we went abroad was 2011. I usually save up to book with The Daily Mail £15 caravan holidays in January and the fact you pay a sum in January then get invoiced from the park 6 weeks before you go, helps me to afford it. We have been to Blackpool, Norfolk, Scarborough and several places in Scotland. Another favourite is the premier Inn £39 offers which have allowed us to visit Manchester, London and Edinburgh, all on a budget. There is no need to add to debt to go on holiday but you are also allowed to have something to look forward to as well.

MovingForwards

Since relocating I've so many places to see up here that every day is a holiday!

I've stayed with my partner's family further up Scotland over the xmas 2 years ago and might be going over to see his friends on one of the islands at some point this year. Cost is food and petrol/ferry if we do go to the island. Food and petrol would be used even if I stayed where I am.

I wouldn't be going outside of Scotland for a 'holiday' as (1) I can't afford to (2) I've a load to see up here and (3) my historic debts are my priorities.

Saying that though, I am planning a holiday of a lifetime to Japan, but so far am at the costing stage and it won't be for several years as I've other plans for when my debts are paid off (own home).

It's a about priorities and unfortunately many people think a holiday outside the UK is a priority.

tunnie123

I think it honestly depends on individual situation. We do maybe a weekend city break and a holiday to Cornwall a year but like to do a big holiday maybe ever 3/4 years, it was Florida in 2015 and we are doing Jamaica this year. We are in debt that is not unmanageable, but holidays are sometimes something that keeps us motivated and to have something to look forward too, we have an autistic daughter so sometimes a decent break away to relax in the sun is needed or a trip to Florida so she can enjoy some time away from the stresses of her school life. You cant put a price on that, seeing how anxious and stressed she can be at home at only 6 years old, to be able to take her away and watch all of her troubles melt away in somewhere like Florida even if it is just for a couple of weeks is something i would happily pay for every time. [ as long as it is not making my debt unmanagable]

Everyone is different, for example with a growing family and a dog to take away on our staycations we needed a bigger car. but instead of buying a new range rover we bought a second hand Dacia Duster, some people always need to get the latest smart phone, i have a nokia 3310. Some people on the other hand only like cheap holidays whereas i like to do something more extravagant every few years. There is no right or wrong way to do things as long as it is not increasing a debt that you already cant afford to pay.

enthusiasticsaver

tunnie123 wrote: »

I think it honestly depends on individual situation. We do maybe a weekend city break and a holiday to Cornwall a year but like to do a big holiday maybe ever 3/4 years, it was Florida in 2015 and we are doing Jamaica this year. We are in debt that is not unmanageable, but holidays are sometimes something that keeps us motivated and to have something to look forward too, we have an autistic daughter so sometimes a decent break away to relax in the sun is needed or a trip to Florida so she can enjoy some time away from the stresses of her school life. You cant put a price on that, seeing how anxious and stressed she can be at home at only 6 years old, to be able to take her away and watch all of her troubles melt away in somewhere like Florida even if it is just for a couple of weeks is something i would happily pay for every time. [ as long as it is not making my debt unmanagable]

Everyone is different, for example with a growing family and a dog to take away on our staycations we needed a bigger car. but instead of buying a new range rover we bought a second hand Dacia Duster, some people always need to get the latest smart phone, i have a nokia 3310. Some people on the other hand only like cheap holidays whereas i like to do something more extravagant every few years. There is no right or wrong way to do things as long as it is not increasing a debt that you already cant afford to pay.

I think you are right about some people have different priorities. Like you I would always prioritise holidays over cars, expensive gadgets etc as I loved travelling and seeing new places and wanted my children to see a bit of the world. Now they are doing it with their families and say they are really glad we were able to give them those experiences. We did not have large debt though and have drummed the perils of credit cards into our children so now in their 30s the6 also don't have high debt. Hmmm that is another topic. How to pass financial education on to our children? New thread though.

We did the same as you and alternated expensive holidays with cheaper ones or staycations. Always saved for them though and as we live in Cornwall a staycations is no hardship. Now I am on a permanent staycation :rotfl:

Interesting your daughter enjoys the holidays. I had always thought autistic children liked routine? Sad to hear of a 6 year old being anxious and stressed.

tunnie123

Thanks for the reply, she has Asperger so high functioning autism. She does like routine which is why when we go [especially the Disney holidays] we have to involve her in the planning from nearly a year out and have a big count down so it does not become a surprise once it is time to go. We also thought she would struggle with the change when we first took her but i think she loves the fact she does not have to change who she is to try and fit in with her friends [a common things females with Asperger will do] and that if she wants to dance and sing down main street then no one is going to judge her for it or if she needs to take an hour to just calm down we can hop back to the resort on the boat or even just sit on the magic kingdom railway for an hour and just go round and round.

She has finally made a best friend at school who also has a brother with Aspergers so the parents of her friend know how to handle her if she goes round for tea or a play date which has been a godsend to us.

It is things like not being stressed or anxious etc that we take for granted so if i have to work a load of overtime to make sure we can afford to go on holiday rather than pay more off our debt then i am happy to do that. Financially is that the most sensible thing to do? of course not but as long as i can comfortably afford the repayments im not going to let a bit of debt stop me from making memories with my girls.:beer:

Siebrie

I really need a change of scene now and again, seeing and learning something new. We go visit my parents every other month (3.5hrs one-way), and on the way back I try to stop at a museum or forest for a couple of hours.

We go camping for long weekends (I don't last longer than that in a tent). Other than limited funds (we're not in debt), my husband doesn't see the need for holidays, although the week we spent in Luxembourg two years ago seems to have opened his eyes. This year, for the very first time since we met 12 years ago, we will go to Austria. I am sooo looking forward to some really high-up walks.

Anyway, as a student and when I started working, I had cheap holidays housesitting, sharing a flat with friends, visiting friends in different cities, visiting family, voluntarily leading hiking groups. Never all-in, hardly ever hotel, mostly self-catered flats or cottages, and tents. All cooking done on a 1-ring stove

On_a_Shoestring

Siebrie wrote: »

I really need a change of scene now and again, seeing and learning something new. We go visit my parents every other month (3.5hrs one-way), and on the way back I try to stop at a museum or forest for a couple of hours.

We go camping for long weekends (I don't last longer than that in a tent). Other than limited funds (we're not in debt), my husband doesn't see the need for holidays, although the week we spent in Luxembourg two years ago seems to have opened his eyes. This year, for the very first time since we met 12 years ago, we will go to Austria. I am sooo looking forward to some really high-up walks.

Anyway, as a student and when I started working, I had cheap holidays housesitting, sharing a flat with friends, visiting friends in different cities, visiting family, voluntarily leading hiking groups. Never all-in, hardly ever hotel, mostly self-catered flats or cottages, and tents. All cooking done on a 1-ring stove

My main takeaway from this is that you managed to spend an entire week in Luxembourg! How?! I spent two days there and got bored out of my mind :rotfl: