Booked flights for a holiday but now can't afford it. WWYD?

[Cheeseer]

I booked some flights to a European country 6m ago for the summer. Was planning to take the kids to their first ever holiday abroad. They have never been and really want to go. The only holidays we get are in the UK for a week per year if we can afford it. The kids do love them but they yearn to go abroad.

I thought if I booked the flights early, I could put aside some money each month to save up in time for the summer.

However, each month something comes up and I haven't put anything away. If I start from now, I would have enough to cover accomodation which I haven't booked but nothing left for food, fun, travel etc.

I know Ive messed up but things are so expensive and prices are going up month to month and I just can't seem to have any money left over at the end of the month.

Should I plan to go to the hol and see what happens, can't do excursions or anything, very basic food or should I just leave it and lose the flight money and never plan a holiday unless I have the funds for it.

Have you heard of bewolcome OP? www.bewelcome.org it used to be called 'couch surfing' now the main purpose when it started was to borrow a bed or a couch in someone's home.

I am not suggestion you do that with children but you can also contact people to meet for a coffee or a meal. I've done that abroad and I have hosted a couple of times.

If you join you can ask what is free and what is good for children. You might find there is a family with children of a similar age who can give you advice, or possible meet up.

Ask the children how they feel, tell them it is going to be a packed lunch every day and do they still want to go?

Have a look at the Lisboa card, it isn't cheap but it is cheaper than paying entry fees at various places and gives you free public transport.

You might be surprised by what the children enjoy, I had my cousin visit me when I lived in London, he was about 10 or 11. All he wanted to do was paddle in Trafalgar square, go to the top of a high building (luckily I had a friend who worked in the Centrepoint tower and go on the tube).

Any disabilities that you need to factor in OP?

At these ages, I’d 100% tell them and all hands on deck for saving

Let your dcs know and all of you get on board with saving money for this trip.
Think of free things to do over the next few months, cutting your spending budget, stopping any subscriptions you can, perhaps selling some things.
It’s a good lesson about saving for luxuries for your dc too.
I’m sure you’ll do it op and hope you have an amazing time.

Definitely get ghic cards
https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/

What is chat gpt?

im in tenerife in august with friends and seen most tourist things as go every year but would this site /app have anything free /different on it. Thanks @auderesperare

The place you have recently booked @Cheeseeris it near the beach or in the centre of town

cities are always more costly then further out

Near a beach would May be cheaper

what’s your budget for the accommodation?

@Blondeshavemorefun ChatGPT is an AI website/app.

Please go & enjoy it with your family. You don't have to spend a fortune on things whilst there. Most kids are happy at the pool or beach & if you go self catering then you're only spending what you would at home on food. To raise a bit of money have a look around your house & wardrobes & have a big clear out & sell anything you don't want or need online. If you can take out a credit card so you have back up funds, work out how much you can afford to pay off each month on your return so it doesn't incur interest over a long period of time & pay off anything you may spend on it as quickly as possible.

You need to buy travel insurance NOW.

Always get it as soon as you book otherwise if you need to cancel before you go you might lose everything you've already spent.

Check if your bank account includes travel insurance

Camping might be an option? I loved it as a kid especially one at a farm with baby animals and another with a basic pool.

If kids haven't been before they'll be over the moon just playing in pool and at beach, there's no reason if it's self catering that you can't do it on a budget, just make sure the kids know in advance. Take things like lilos with you, you can pick them up for a couple of £ in places like home bargains x

Don’t forget GHIC cards and book that travel insurance now

Thank you

Im researching travel insurance. Which from the following 3 would you advise to get.

Travel insurance does not pay out for not having enough money to pay for the rest of a trip though.

Regarding insurance, pay attention to the excess amount and also read the small print. Do you need to pay the excess up front or is it taken out of the amount claimed? Do you need to pay for everything first and then claim it back on the insurance.

You need insurance that you can actually afford to claim from if you need to.

Can you get as part of your bank account? Mine cones with family travel insurance

However, each month something comes up and I haven't put anything away. If I start from now, I would have enough to cover accomodation which I haven't booked but nothing left for food, fun, travel et
What is there to enjoy with no money for food, fun or travel? Seriously.
There's low budget and then there is no budget 🙄
The OP hasn't been able to save a penny for the 6 months she's had. I get that, it's tough atm but throwing more money you don't have at something you could postpone until you actually can eat more than sandwiches seems far more sensible. Sunk cost fallacy was the first thing I thought when reading.
Encouraging credit cards/loans and the OP to 'go for it' really does highlight how people end up in the situations posted on here every day.
But hey, when the OP is abroad, and the very real possibility does eventuate and she really has run out of money (which would only take one sudden unexpected event/situation) I'm sure you'll all be able to think of ways for the family to 'enjoy what you can' 🤷‍♀️

@Cheeseer could you do some agency work to boost your income?

Haven’t read the full thread so don’t know if anyone has suggested taking out a 0% credit card and putting the accommodation and other big expenses on that. (Yes, I know taking out credit isn’t ideal, but worth it in some circumstances.) With a 0% deal lasting 12 months or more you could pay it back over time without incurring any interest as long as you pay at least the minimum per month. Look out for the best 0% deals on the Money Saving Expert website.

Well obviously! However, should something happen between now and the holiday that is covered she will get nothing back without insurance

Ive spent alot of time really researching and have worked out the nearest cheap supermarket to me,, bakery, a full itinerary with lots of free stuff and a few paid things but they are fairly cheap at around £25--30 each. I've worked out cost of travel of everything from the moment I step out of the house to when I get home. I've done a food plan so I know what I will be cooking each day and what I can take from home and what I need to buy when there. I've included the odd treat too. Supermarkets seem to be similar ISH price to here but transport is way cheaper. I have done one day to the beach too.

With regards to finances my manager has booked a meeting with me next week to formalise my increase in hours but she needs to check with department head but she thinks it'll be fine.

I have created a savings plan and set up a standing order into my spare account I have which will be used for spending whilst there. Everything else which is a fixed cost like accomodation, insurance etc I'm going to put onto a 0% credit card which is for 20m. I applied last night so that should come through. I've worked out my fixed costs that I'll put on the credit card and once I return from my holiday I have a 5 month plan to pay it off completely but will have till Feb 2027 to actually pay it off in case something disastrous happens.

I feel so much better now that I have spent time researching absolutely every inch of this trip! I have even Google street viewed so much that I think I know my way around nearby!

Thank you so much to everyone who has been helpful and encouraging. I was literally feeling so overwhelmed about not being able to afford it and trying to avoid dealing with it. Some people would think that getting into debt for a holiday is madness but there's no interest on it and i see it as spreading the cost of my holiday over the year.

Holidays are one of the most important things in my year – I'd always prioritise one a year ahead of most other things. Just going somewhere else and seeing how other people live is great and really lives in the memory. They are also a thing that can easily just not happen. Sounds like you have a good plan, OP – and a good model for future years.

Enjoy OP ♥️

Good work op. The planning is often fun all by itself, but if you've got a plan that makes it possible, well done.

I'm sure the kids will appreciate it all the more.