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

A holiday is a luxury.
It isn't a right.

People who work save for their holidays and struggle to afford them.

@Mademetoxic

• A holiday is a luxury. It isn't a right.

People who work save for their holidays and struggle to afford them.*
Who rattled your cage? how and why OP wants a holiday is none of your business.

Your point being??? OP is paying for her holiday just like you would! She does have the right to choose how she spends her money - just like you do!

Again, it's true. If she is struggling to afford a holiday. Either don't go or find a part time job to save for it.

That's the age he would be if I went at the tone im thinking. I always explained to you why

She said she isn't sure if she can afford it. The answer is to find a job to help save for it. That is what other people have to do.

If you are struggling to afford it, then the options are:

You do not go.

Or look for a little job to help with money.

Other people have to work for their holidays so it would definitely help.

Or I save from the income I do get . And do what works for my family and their needs

Sadly you do not get nothing in this life for free if you are not prepared to work for it in life.
A job would definitely help you save faster.

I think you normally get a better price if you book earlier and can either spread the payments equally or pay a deposit, and then the rest much nearer the travel date. I’d want to be confident I could definitely afford the repayments though, so maybe safer to try saving and book when you’re comfortable you can.
I checked TUI (because I know they have a slight sale on at the moment) and I think they’d be some options just under 3k for 1 adult, 3 kids to Tunisia, canaries, Majorca.. and more options around 3.5k

Someone earlier mentioned exams though- if your child who’ll be 15yrs will be in year 11 then may half- term will be right in the middle of their gcse exams and in that situation I wouldn’t go because I’d want them revising during the half-term break

I would go yes! I don't work due to disability & it would take me a while to save but I am planning to take our kids to Portugal (my friend lives there). Kids missing a couple days school so flights are half the price.

Why don't you start saving for the intention of booking or look at a package deal that you can pay monthly?

I would consider looking at southern Spain or Canaries in October half term or Easter . Go for an established resort and you will get by speaking English and there is more likely to be food options you are all used to. Definitely stuff like pasta / chips!

As others have said Jet2 and TUI let you pay by instalments.

There is an option on TUI where you pay a bit extra for a flexible booking so you can amend your booking or cancel it without extra charges/losing money up until 4'weeks before you go.

OP, you haven't had a holiday abroad as an adult. Your kids haven't EVER had a holiday abroad. GO! Genuinely, if you can make it work financially, just go! Book it as soon as you have enough for the deposit, and pay in installments, that way the decision has been made and you won't keep going back and forth on it. It will be so worth it to have that experience with your kids.

Yeah I saw some for around that price to . And yes i need to be careful of GCSE . I was thinking to see if I can go in a half term . There is a half term from mon 25th of may to the 29th may. 2026 . That could work.

Working people struggle too, but they save up - just like OP will. So again what's the issue? I will be saving for my holiday, perhaps you don't have to save? Well if so, lucky for you! OP is happy to save like most of us.

Yes I'm thinking just to save into my bank . And then if I get to the stage of saving a good amount . I can then book and put that chunk of money into the cost . But if I don't manage it then I have a bit of money for something else

@Youagain2025

I realise that the title of this thread was whether you should go on holiday or not, and in terms of that question I understand some of the answers.

But if you want some more advice on recommended resorts and budget holidays you may want to repost in the 'holidays' topic (under chat/travel/holidays) . Just mention that you don't have much money so are looking for budget ideas (ie your employment situation wouldn't be relevant to that question so you would avoid some of the responses here).

If you aren't fussy on location i would suggest saving up and booking just 2-3 weeks before you go for the cheapest deals, even closer perhaps. TUI release deals via their app on Tuesdays, and they have extra discounts if you make an account. My dd managed to get an ai 7 day cruise including flights for £350 each last year by booking 3 days out, it would have been £1600 booked a few months ahead!

TUI magic life hotels would probably suit your age group as they have teen activities (and adult) like archery, football, tennis etc and a few restaurants, i didn't spend a penny there i would add. Make sure whatever hotel you book is on a public bus route so you can inexpensively go out if you want to

Thank you . I may do that . I only mentioned my not working/children with special needs to give a guide on my income. Because I always think what's budget to others may not be to me.. had some good advice and things to think about via this thread to be honest . I can explore a bit look at a few holiday sites etc . Its early thinking at the moment.

Would your 15 year old be in year 11? If so GCSE exams straddle the half term and they will need to revise over it and could potentially have an exam the day they come back. I took my 12 year old away over May half term last year not realising he had exams when he came back when we booked, and while he took his books he was far too distracted to do much. Fortunately that was only for internal school exams so no lasting harm done, but I will be avoiding May half term until both kids have finished school.

I will down load the app and have a look .thank you.

My kids would not do them sort of activity's they love water so I was hoping to find something with water slides etc .

I'm not sure maybe I could check with the school. Part of me is thinking to wait till GCSE is completely done.

I've just had a quick look on Jet 2, cheapest AI to Turkey (picked as a random place and will be warm) is 4376, but that is all in one room, one double bed and sofa beds. where would you need to fly from?

I was more talking about getting there and back. Of course most staff speak some English in the resort, but that doesn't mean that they are fluent- why should they? You might also be surrounded by holiday makers from other countries which might alienate your DC.
Plus, if you are travelling abroad, you can't just assume everyone speaks your language.

Go after last gcse exam but before schools have broken up. Yes the youngest will miss school but it will be waaaaaayyyyy cheaper.