How do you spread your annual leave to make it last?

[Gamechanger12e3]

Hello everyone!

Recently changed departments and i work full time. Work 1 in 4 weekends.

At my place of work our leave is April - April. We dont get bank holidays off but have it given to us ontop of our leave to take as and when.

I've noticed over the years that a few other full timers seem have loads of time off!! I think they must work it logistically through the year to make it stretch! I'm wondering how to make mine stretch further?

How does everyone else spread their leave through the year?

I work with someone who seems to see it as a badge of honour to carry over five days every year. She takes the piss with her TIL though so still gets loads of time off.

I used to get flexi on top of annual leave. That really helped for an odd couple of days here and there to just break the weeks up a bit.

I book weeks, I try and book a week every other month. I never take annual leave at Christmas.
I always book the last week of March

That's the thing @Upsy1981 sometimes want your own duvet day! I had one day left over for this years entitlement so took it last Monday and had a lovely day to myself!!

I plan it out at the start of the holiday year and book it all in. School hols are known in advance so I might as well plan it.
I tend to take 1-2 weeks at Easter, at least 2 days at May half term, 2-3 weeks in summer, at least 2 days at October 1/2 term and use the remainder at Christmas. I don’t take February 1/2 term off. Bank holidays fall during most of my leaves making the days go further. I get 6 weeks and can buy up to a week more.

I dropped a day at work now so I have a nice Friday to myself. OK, I spend it doing chores and running errands but it's my day to manage as I wish. I've said it before but it has literally saved my sanity.

At moment (started new job a month ago & have to take any leave by 1 April), I am taking a lot of half days. I'm too new to pretend to be 'working from home'. I need the half days to get errands done. I bet all my AL will get used up like that. Bits and pieces. Primary school sports day, someone needs a lift to hospital, errand at the council, taking a DC to Uni Open Day & whatever like that. Not planning any trips or 'holidays'. DH works from home out of term time to cover childcare.