Should I go on holiday?

[Youagain2025]

I'm loosely thinking about going on holiday.

I have never been on holiday as an adult.

I'm thinking maybe next summer maybe may or June. Not sure in that.

Going would be DD 15, Ds 11, DS 10 and myself. That will be ages at time of travel. If older DS wants to come he will have to pay for himself.

We would like to go abroad. Somewhere fun , family friendly.

It have to be all inclusive. That is a must with no negotiation. Reasons is is saves the worry on budgeting for food . My life is pretty stressful and i feel like i deserve a break from cooking and cleaning up life in general.

This would probably cost me at least 3k - 4k?

Although I would like to do this I'm also thinking is it really worth it . I'm not in work and have children with special needs so income is not the best . I would like to do it if I can. But then I go the other way and think is it worth all that money

I can what ifs all day long. I think saving into my account is probably better. Then I can decide if its still a good idea . And of i decide against it at least I have saved some money

I think you know your DC best. If they are adventurous and easy going, I'd say go for it!
Think about different surroundings, food, lots of people, language, waiting in long queues, sitting in confined spaces but most importantly will they listen to you and adhere to your safety rules.

sorry but I keep seeing the odd familiy with DC running riot at airports and train stations and worrying about their safety

Life is short!! I would put holidays on a credit card then pay off. You can get really cheap options if you don't care where from easyJet or Jet2 holidays - easily get an all inclusive for £2k (so not more than butlins!) especially if people don't mind sharing. Get the passports sorted and go!

I definitely wouldn't do it on a credit card no way . I would possibly save though

I think alot of resort type places in say Spain tenerif or simlar often speak English to don't they ?

My kids,would not run riot. They would be scared to do that.

You've not had a holiday in 30 years, ofcourse you should go! I holiday in the UK twice a year with my dog but holidays abroad are fantastic and you'll create so many happy memories. I book mine a year in advance to qualify for an early booking discount, (10% to 15%), you might be able to reduce the cost somewhat by doing this. I also pay mine off monthly by direct debit which makes it really manageable. As you said yourself you don't run a car, you don't go out drinking etc. Life is too short, get it booked!
Btw of the countries I've visited in Europe, Italy would be my first choice, I've been there several times. It's a fantastic country. Keep us updated.👌

Think you'd struggle to go for £4k for 5 of you in school holidays , £800 each for AI .
I'm going may half term for just less than that and it's self catering .
But if you've found a deal then good
Luck to you

Sorry just read there's only 4 of you , so £1000 each . Still half asleep 😴

Personally I would not spend that on a holiday until I had 6 months worth of expenditure in savings already.
book a beautiful cottage in the UK instead.

It's would be 4k for 4 of us the 5th person has to pay for himself. I did see some for around 4k but I last looked about 6 months or so ago

I'm not sure what you mean?

Jet2 are excellent with support for kids with SEN, I’ve gone with them a few times with my two who have complex needs and was supported all the way through the airport in both directions. The only thing I would say is that my two both struggled with all inclusive eating arrangements - the dining room for the buffet was just too big, too noisy and had too much choice. We managed by going at the very start of meal times when it was quieter, using snack bars for lunch and sometimes had instant noodles/snacks in our room.

It caught me off guard to be honest, the next time we went to a small hotel with a small restaurant on site which worked much better than the all inclusive place. I also took some familiar food from home for those days when they felt a bit overwhelmed.

I wouldn't go AI either (or buffet HB) for the reasons mentioned, but noted the OPs requirement for no cooking. But it's likely a case of AI, calm experience, less than £5k, pick two.

Superhansrantowindsor

You don't get the weather in the UK. When it rains ypu spend money going to cinemas etc. The nice cottages cost a fortune. You would have to do self catering as eating out in the UK is very dear. Personally I would stay at home and ho on daytrips rather than book a cottage where I have to prepare meals.

I am in a similar wet country. I book 2 nights b& b in a budget hotel with an evening meal for us 4. You can get offers sometimes. I do this when money is short rather than booking a week self catering.

Look at what you have saved by not drinking, smoking, nights out and GO.

I had one holiday abroad to London as a teenager. We used to go on daytrips. My first foreign holiday was when I was working 10 years. I didn"t have nights out in order to afford it. No drinking and smoking. Just GO. The people who are happy with a cottage in the UK probably had international holidays to US, Bali, before dcs.

What I meant was a holiday abroad is an unnecessary luxury. It’s very nice and can be great for the family but a luxury all the same. If you can afford to spend 4k on a holiday without leaving your savings short then it’s a great idea.
As for cottages in the UK, I’m a big believer in no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes. We holiday frequently in North Wales or Northumberland. Stunning beaches and nature and usually get a decent number of sunny days. Would love to go abroad more than we do but I can’t justify the expense.

I will never be in the position to have actual savings . Yes I can save up for something. But I will never have savings that sit there in the bank.

Yes a holiday is a luxury but I have not had that luxury in 30 years and my children not at all .

I want to go somewhere with nice weather to be honest that's non uk . For the experience of the children going on a plane. For the sky to be blue nice weather instead of depressing grey cloud.

I hope you have a lovely time. It’s just my opinion. There is some good advice in the holiday section for getting good deals.

I may not even go through with doing it. Because it does also make me think if I save up 4k I could do things to my house for that. But then I can say things like that all the time and then it will never happen. I'm basically arguing with myself 😅

How come you're not working? If you really want to go, your youngest is 10. So you could look for a part time job to help?

I never went abroad when I was a child. My mum worked and couldn't afford it. I've made up for it since, and it definitely hasn't affected me as an adult.

Honestly. I would save and go. I love a holiday, just a break away from everything (even in the uk) as long as you and the kids would enjoy it then go for it. You only live once. Plus if you have saved that amount once you can do it again for house stuff ( or another holiday)

My youngest is 8. I also have children with special needs. My life is pretty stressful and complex .

No it would not effect them . But it would just be nice . If I could. But as I say I'm not sure if I will. Its just something I'm thinking about .

Very true . I don't even have passports. I might ask my adult dd to help me sort them out

You said a 10 year old in your original post.
Regardless, they are at school. So why not try and find the time to look for a part time job to help save up?

Plenty bargains about no need to spend £4k.
We have 4 adults going to Portugal in April, self catering £1600

How rude! Mind your own business about why OP doesn't work.