Page 14 | Holidays are just not worth the money

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 2026-06-13T07:09:59+00:00

Holidays are just not worth it. The kids are desparate to go on holiday. I struggle to see the value though. For the 5 of us an abroad holiday is about £3k minimum. I struggle to get over the cost whilst I’m there - £500 a day and I sit wondering whether it was worth it. The kids are excellent travellers and beautifully behaved when on holiday so it’s nothing to do with them. I just think it’s insanely expensive for what you actually get. I enjoy it whilst I’m there - how do I stop being a cheap killjoy?!

SomethingFun · 13/06/2026 10:03

Holidays are more expensive because the cost of living stuff and the fuel shite impacts everyone on earth. I’ve paid £3k this year for a week in the sun and it’s looking like £4k next year for the same thing. I am debating interrailing as the pass is £900 for a family of 4 but I imagine once I tot it all up it will be thousands for a fairly basic trip.

Pansykavalier · 13/06/2026 10:02

My happiest memories are of our travels with our children. However, we didn’t spend anywhere near £500 a day.

Have you looked into house swaps?

Getmeacoffeenow · 13/06/2026 10:01

igotitbadforyou · 13/06/2026 09:59

And it’s a break. Not a holiday.

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Well tell that to the travel industry who make a fortune from self catering holidays every year!

BrownBookshelf · 13/06/2026 10:01

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:53

I mean they’ve been to lots of lovely places abroad (including long haul).

I’m just struggling to shake the cost and whether it’s worth it at the moment. Particularly when I order the tui type website in order of price and it’s going to be £500 a day minimum for a holiday that doesn’t look that fabulous.

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Maybe it genuinely isn't worth it then. Because it's not just about having the money, it's your subjective perception of whether the costs are justified. I know you say the kids enjoy it, but I bet that's not the only thing they'd like. How old are they?

MissBattleaxe · 13/06/2026 10:01

I took the kids to Paris for a weekend 6 years ago. They still talk about it. I'm so glad we went. It cost 1.5k all in and it was the best money I ever spent.

Original poster

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 10:01

BirdyBedtime · 13/06/2026 08:50

Like other PPs for us holidays have always been an absolute priority. Having dedicated family time to make memories is priceless and the DCs regularly talk about the things we did on holidays. We've always had a dedicated holiday fund that builds up over the year so it's not a single big spend.

We've been lucky that we've been able to afford foreign holidays every year with 2 DCs. But we cut our cloth. The first few years we very budget (flights booked the minute they were released and basic villa properties from Vrbo etc). Over the years we've been able to up our budget so have gone for nicer properties. Always saw the locals sights and mixed that with pool time for the kids.

Of course holidays (particularly abroad) can be expensive but only you can decide if the money is worth it.

Our DCs have now started going on holiday with friends paid for by their part-time jobs.

I think I want to go and I want to feel like it’s worth it.

We can afford it.

I just can’t shake the cost thoughts.

We used to have a holiday pot too and got rid when we needed to pay off some debt. Maybe I need to bring it back so it feels paid for. We have a separate pot so things like car insurance don’t feel like a big hit. Thank you for reminding me - I think I will set the pot up today.

My youngest asks me all the time to go.

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6ate9 · 13/06/2026 10:01

Tink3rbell30 · 13/06/2026 09:55

Agree. Don't see the appeal in the typical fight for a sunbed then sit around a pool all day while kids run riot. Plus being so careful what you eat and drink so you don't end up with D&V.

Those sorts of holidays sound awful. Definitely wouldn’t appeal to me!!

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 13/06/2026 10:00

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:54

A 3k holiday is about £500 a day.

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You're only looking at the holiday itself though.

I look forward to a holiday for at least a good month before I go. The fact that there's a holiday booked in actually lifts my mood.

The same with afterwards. I'm more relaxed than if I hadn't been away, more able to deal with whatever work or life will throw at me. It's a reset.

Yes, if you look at it as something that only affects you for that week away, then £500 a day is a lot. But something that improves your life for months either side. Definitely worth the money.

igotitbadforyou · 13/06/2026 09:59

Getmeacoffeenow · 13/06/2026 09:56

That’s so rude and snobby We do uk and overseas holidays and they are all holidays. Some people can only do a uk self catering break.

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And it’s a break. Not a holiday.

Original poster

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:58

FeelingSadToday1 · 13/06/2026 08:27

We LOVE our abroad holidays! We always go somewhere new each year and book trips to explore. In May half term we went to Madeira. Myself and partner, 17 year old girl, 14 and 7 year old boys. We all connect, ate meals together (all inclusive always!) partner and I get a break, devices are barely used by anyone. This trip we did a private island tour that everyone loved, we did the cable cars and botanical garden, saw a huge pod of dolphins on a boat trip, did lots of exploring on foot, climbing, caves, ate so much ice cream, the younger 2 (plus me) played in the pool a lot, water polo, pool parties, crazy golf, pool, cocktails and time together. We all had an amazing time.

If your kids are all young then I can see why its harder for you but kids just love playing on the beach and in the pool until they are shrivelled up!

We always go to Guernsey in August but it's really expensive but completely worth it. We do water sports mainly, eat ice cream, go karting, delicious food and beach walks.

Holidays are what get me through the year. If you don't enjoy them then you need to rethink where you go and what you do.

I love it when I’m there. The kids do too. BUT I just can’t shake the cost!!!

We’ve been on some amazing trips.

We aren’t in bad financial shape particularly - maybe I need some therapy!!! (Maybe I need a holiday!)

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Miranda65 · 13/06/2026 09:57

Holidays are always worth the money, in my view. But you have to plan carefully to find the right one for you. Maybe you need to move on from the stereotype of an AI/package holiday on a beach in the Med? There are so many other options, just use your imagination.

6ate9 · 13/06/2026 09:56

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:53

I mean they’ve been to lots of lovely places abroad (including long haul).

I’m just struggling to shake the cost and whether it’s worth it at the moment. Particularly when I order the tui type website in order of price and it’s going to be £500 a day minimum for a holiday that doesn’t look that fabulous.

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If children want to travel, they can always save up and go once they’re adults. That’s what I did. I didn’t think any less of my childhood because my parents didn’t take me abroad.

Getmeacoffeenow · 13/06/2026 09:56

igotitbadforyou · 13/06/2026 09:52

That’s not a holiday then is it? I pity people who think like this.

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That’s so rude and snobby We do uk and overseas holidays and they are all holidays. Some people can only do a uk self catering break.

Original poster

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:56

Feetballislife · 13/06/2026 09:33

Eurocamps are great value, and in lovely places so you can travel around. I’ve been on really expensive holidays with kids and super cheap ones and they don’t particularly have a preference! They just like to be away, preferable with water nearby at some point, and preferably with friends or family.
We never do package though - or all inclusive - so can manage our budgets accordingly.

I absolutely agree - been on 2 and have loved it. But have you looked this year - prices have gone up significantly! And in any case, still comes out close to 3k once you factor in travel and food whilst you’re there

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notantordec · 13/06/2026 09:56

@LittleBearPad how much are you actually want to spend ? You are complaining at spending £2k last year.

ithappenstootherfamilies · 13/06/2026 09:55

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:53

I mean they’ve been to lots of lovely places abroad (including long haul).

I’m just struggling to shake the cost and whether it’s worth it at the moment. Particularly when I order the tui type website in order of price and it’s going to be £500 a day minimum for a holiday that doesn’t look that fabulous.

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Book flights and a private apartment - much cheaper - get shopping done on day one and then just go out of an evening

Tink3rbell30 · 13/06/2026 09:55

Agree. Don't see the appeal in the typical fight for a sunbed then sit around a pool all day while kids run riot. Plus being so careful what you eat and drink so you don't end up with D&V.

Getmeacoffeenow · 13/06/2026 09:55

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:50

£3k holiday /7 days. The holiday costs £500 a day.

staying at home and spending £500 a day sounds like more fun and better value to me at the moment! Especially if we have the weather we had a couple weeks ago.

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If you can afford that and you love holidays then it’s worth it for 5 people to fly and get accommodation.

If you can’t afford or aren’t really fussed then it will feel expensive. Stop looking at the cost per day and look at the cost per person.

When you have a large family then you kind of have to let the increase in cost go because it’s all relative to the cost per person, that’s what makes the holiday more expensive. 5 meals out in a restaurant doesn’t mean the restaurant is too expensive it means there’s 5 meals to pay for.

Original poster

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:54

Duvetdayneeded · 13/06/2026 08:15

£500 a day!!!! Yabvu

A 3k holiday is about £500 a day.

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Original poster

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:53

LittleBearPad · 13/06/2026 08:14

But they get to experience a different country, different food, travel, new sights to see and learn about.

YABU

I mean they’ve been to lots of lovely places abroad (including long haul).

I’m just struggling to shake the cost and whether it’s worth it at the moment. Particularly when I order the tui type website in order of price and it’s going to be £500 a day minimum for a holiday that doesn’t look that fabulous.

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KiwiCat01 · 13/06/2026 09:53

We’ve spent 11k for our summer holiday in August . Myself and husband work really hard and we see the value of a total switch off. It resets us and the kids and in my eyes there’s nothing I’d rather spend my money on now when I’m relatively young (41) we did do cheaper holidays to Spain over the years when finances weren’t as good. Always had a great time. Currently on the count down now and we’re excited.

that being said we priced up a week cruise in the Caribbean over Christmas and it was 24k that wasn’t worth the money in my eyes.

igotitbadforyou · 13/06/2026 09:52

msmolli · 13/06/2026 09:27

Nobody "needs" to go overseas. Rent a cottage in the UK. Let the children run free. Take ready meals with you so you don't have to cook all the time. Be beside a pub so you can have an odd pub meal. @Phonicshaskilledmeoff

That’s not a holiday then is it? I pity people who think like this.

ithappenstootherfamilies · 13/06/2026 09:51

Phonicshaskilledmeoff · 13/06/2026 09:50

£3k holiday /7 days. The holiday costs £500 a day.

staying at home and spending £500 a day sounds like more fun and better value to me at the moment! Especially if we have the weather we had a couple weeks ago.

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But we don't have that weather consistently do we?

6ate9 · 13/06/2026 09:51

I never went on holiday abroad as a child but I still managed to have good memories of my childhood despite not setting foot on foreign soil!!! I did go on holiday, it was in the UK!!!!

My first time on a plane and going abroad was age 18. I went to Israel to live and work on a kibbutz for three months!!

AgnesMcDoo · 13/06/2026 09:50

if you can afford it - it’s worth it.

if you can’t - it’s not. It’s not worth debt or stress.

but if you can - you have wonderful experiences and wonderful memories and they are good for your health.

you can go for less than £500 a day though