Getting shot of the mortgage sooner than 2049!

Bluegreen143

I have to tread delicately as Red’s love language is gift giving and he’s horrified at the thought of cutting down on what we give the kids (and everyone). But I agree we could do the kids’ birthdays for less. Last year Monkey got a bike for his birthday but it was second hand so under £50. I do like to get them some books too as reading is so important to me, the Red wants to get some extra smaller things so they have more to open, so it adds up.

Bluegreen143

Have also been analysing our holiday spend. 

Three night caravan break = £320 accommodation & £282 food/diesel/spending money

Seven night holiday cottage = £800 accommodation & £539 food/diesel/spending money

(We did have a friend join us for two nights in the caravan and one night in the week away, and she gave us money towards it both times despite us saying not to! So that’s offset the cost slightly).

We actually spent more than we usually would on the week away as it rained a lot so we paid for swimming, soft play etc to entertain the kids. But still feel £1,339 for all costs is not too extravagant for a week away for four in the school holidays and surely cheaper than going abroad. 

To afford similar next year - one short and one week-long break, both in Scotland - we’d need to save about £160 a month which is what I currently budget. But I’d like to save a bit more so Red and I can also afford a night or two away alone. So that gives me a figure to aim for at least! 

savingholmes

I think this year is a good excuse to have a gift budget reset and everyone should understand. I did it on divorce at Xmas and got zero pushback. We often imagine it's a bigger deal than it is. The only people who got proper presents were my kids at c £50 each (but Ex spent similar) so it was still what they were used to. I dropped nephews and nieces - the little ones to £10 or less - and the older ones just didn't get anything. Most people I bought anything for were a fiver - or shopping from home.

Bluegreen143

Just had to laugh reading an article online claiming that “families will save £1,400 by having a week’s holiday abroad versus staying at home”. It piqued my interest as my week’s holiday cost less than £1,400 all in so a holiday abroad would have to be free to save me that much 🤣

Their comparison was a week’s accommodation in a 5 star Cornish cottage in a holiday resort for over £3k (surely the most expensive holiday destination within the U.K.), and four train tickets from London to Cornwall (£350). Surely the most expensive way you can travel from London to Cornwall as a family of four would be by train?!

This was compared with a holiday apartment in Majorca (which must be one of the cheapest sun holiday destinations) and budget airline flights, together coming in at £2k.

Yes that specific U.K. holiday was more expensive but there are other ways to holiday in the U.K. 🤔

See my latest holiday - accommodation for a week in a gorgeous idyllic wooden cabin by a Scottish loch = £800, diesel to get there from Glasgow under £50 (it’s only a 1.5hr drive from
our house). Saving £1k over the Majorca holiday accommodation & travel costs.

In no way a second rate choice as it’s a truly beautiful part of the world (see photo below - the view we enjoyed from the cabin every day!). 

Not to mention the environmental benefits of holidaying at home and avoiding flying of course… but why worry about that when you can sell a few extra holidays eh?! As it’s clear the article was sponsored by a travel agent…

savingholmes

Gorgeous photo.

Bluegreen143

Thanks @savingholmes - and thanks for the advice re gifts. So far all friends have been positive. In general I’ve not found people in my social circle (as opposed to on here) have mentioned being affected by the economic situation. My “mum” friends are mainly very well off due to my son attending school in a well off area and my uni friends are just thinking about starting families or have just one baby, so have fewer expenses right now, and all have decent jobs. But one of my friends at the pub tonight mentioned she has started cycling due to petrol cost and may be selling their second car to save money and be more green too. So it was good to not feel like I was being overly stingy as she seemed happy to cut back.

Tomorrow is my new weekly budget - I’m enjoying this way of budgeting so far.

Spent £2.75 from personal kitty on a Diet Coke at the pub, so rolling £2.25 leftover to next week for a personal kitty of £22.25.

Due to a slight overspend on the family budget this week, next week’s family budget will be £179. Will need diesel (but won’t fill up fully) and obviously usual grocery budget but no veg box next week. The kids want to go to an inflatable fun city in a local park next week with DH (it’s his week off with them) which I think will cost £20. Which is fine as we don’t have many expensive school holiday plans. I’m also pleased I don’t have to take them tbh 😆

Today was really nice so they just played in the paddling pool and garden all day and oooohed and aaaahed at the new little chickens and we didn’t go out 😅🥰 I went to the gym and then the pub so I went out, but the kids were happy with a lazy day at home. 

themadvix

What a ridiculous article - they weren’t even comparing like for like - they weren’t advance cheap train tickets to compare to budget flights or comparable accommodation. Surely they don’t think anyone is going to take such an article seriously when it has such clear flaws in it? In any case, totally agree with you - and there are so many beautiful places to visit in the UK 😊

Cornish_mum

Hi on the gifts, we stopped siblings on my husband side gifts a while back (by mutual agreement and much relief!), prepandemic we used to go for a joint meal out between Christmas and new year instead; which was much nicer all round. I think this won’t restart now money is tighter for everyone.

My family unfortunately are a totally different situation and just don’t get it. They can’t understand that we just don’t want or need pointless things and are upset if we don’t buy them pointless stuff in return. For years I used to keep their gifts as I felt guilty but now I just put them straight into my donation pile for the kids school fêtes. 

Good luck with it all CM

fionaandphil

I haven't read the article but I have to say, I generally agree. We go abroad at February and October half term and stay in 4* hotels half board. Even taking all the extras into account like airport parking, it's always cheaper than holidaying somewhere in the UK. There is also the bonus of being able to go to the beach every day.  It does take some planning though! For the summer we always stay in the UK and if we rent a house it's always very expensive and spends soon add up. We've had some really nice holidays in the UK though and are off to a friend's caravan in Scotland this summer. Everyone just has to choose what is right for their own family and we are lucky that we have money in the budget to be able to afford a break

Baileys_Babe

What about the cost of passports?

You can also fly London to Newquay cheaper than the train fare quoted, not that I would. 

Very flawed article.