Page 15 | Booked flights for a holiday but now can't afford it. WWYD?

Cheeseer · 2025-04-13T08:25:47+00:00

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.

Jigsawasaurus · 16/04/2025 18:04

Great news OP, so pleased for you. You'll have a great time and may this be the start of a few affordable trips for you.

Also handy to have a credit card (or quick access to other funds) in case you have an emergency issue while you're there.

CeeJay81 · 16/04/2025 19:38

Been following your thread and happy to hear that you've been researching and working out a sensible way to make it happen. I hope you and your family have a great time!!

Blondeshavemorefun · 16/04/2025 19:55

Cheeseer · 16/04/2025 17:13

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.

Well done for thinking it through

insurance I do the basic one

as long as have medical insurance. That’s the main one

not so worried about lost luggage etx

SheilaFentiman · 16/04/2025 20:34

Well done OP!

Fleakster · 16/04/2025 20:37

Enjoy:)

Preposterious · 17/04/2025 08:38

Keep the standing order going and save up for another holiday next year.

Original poster

Cheeseer · 17/04/2025 09:40

Preposterious · 17/04/2025 08:38

Keep the standing order going and save up for another holiday next year.

Yes definitely, was thinking of doing this too.

OP posts:

GrannyJJ · 17/04/2025 10:25

Cheeseer · 16/04/2025 17:13

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.

TBH I once got into debt for holidays and it room me years to get out of it.. but I have zero regrets as I created wonderful memories for my family. It wasn’t stupid amounts and I was a 0% card user but you aren’t buying nonsense. You’re buying memories - have a great time! Pastel de nata and coffee in a local cafe (in shopping centre) was £1 when we were there!

Nant90 · 17/04/2025 13:16

Excellent news. Paying off a 0% card is like saving in reverse and a very good way of doing it- without being morbid, some people never get to do the things they are saving up for. Have an amazing time.

Winter2020 · 19/04/2025 17:44

Sounds good OP,
All I wanted to say, in case you are new to credit cards, is that you must make the minimum payment each month. If you miss a payment you will (most likely) lose the promotional 0% offer.

Original poster

Cheeseer · 19/04/2025 21:54

Winter2020 · 19/04/2025 17:44

Sounds good OP,
All I wanted to say, in case you are new to credit cards, is that you must make the minimum payment each month. If you miss a payment you will (most likely) lose the promotional 0% offer.

Yes thank you. I will set up a DD for this.

OP posts:

2sometimes3 · 04/06/2025 07:46

How you doing with the saving Op? Hopefully you’re still going?

auderesperare · 04/06/2025 18:04

Blondeshavemorefun · 15/04/2025 09:28

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

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ChatGPT is Microsoft’s AI tool. It’s free and you can ask it anything. Don’t give it any information that you need to keep confidential but you can easily download it on your phone or laptop and ask it for an itinerary. The more detailed you make the prompt, the more personalised the recommendations.

Snowfalling · 10/08/2025 11:53

@Cheeseer Hope you managed to go on your holiday! Do report back!

Breadcat24 · 10/08/2025 15:53

well done I hope you have/had a good hliday

Laurmolonlabe · 10/08/2025 21:11

Flights have to be paid for when you book them- so you are only looking at accommodation costs. Look on Booking.om for the cheapest self catering room you can find, preferably close to the airport so transfers won't be a problem- book it now it will only get more expensive. Use at least half of your case for food,from your cupboards if you have no spare cash, so you don't have to spend much while you are there. The fact you are abroad and the weather is good will be good enough for fun.
Explain the situation to your kids -include them, they will come up with ideas-it will be an adventure, I'm sure you will all enjoy yourselves.

Original poster

Cheeseer · 18/10/2025 07:13

Snowfalling · 10/08/2025 11:53

@Cheeseer Hope you managed to go on your holiday! Do report back!

Hello! We did go and had an absolute blast. Kids loved the novelty of being in a new country, different language, different food.

Financially- I was able to pay for shopping, trips, food etc myself and the accomodation and train tickets we needed I put all that on a 0% cc. That was the main cost really. Im paying off a chunk of what ever I can afford each month and plan to have it paid off in 12m.

Was so worried about the money. I won't be doing this again but glad we did go! But will save up properly beforehand like we are doing for next year.

OP posts:

Snowfalling · 18/10/2025 12:12

Cheeseer · 18/10/2025 07:13

Hello! We did go and had an absolute blast. Kids loved the novelty of being in a new country, different language, different food.

Financially- I was able to pay for shopping, trips, food etc myself and the accomodation and train tickets we needed I put all that on a 0% cc. That was the main cost really. Im paying off a chunk of what ever I can afford each month and plan to have it paid off in 12m.

Was so worried about the money. I won't be doing this again but glad we did go! But will save up properly beforehand like we are doing for next year.

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Oh well done, I'm pleased to hear that you all had a great time. I'm so glad it all worked out

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 18/10/2025 12:24

Lovely update, I’m delighted you all had a wonderful time. Good luck with the savings for next holiday!

Theboymolefoxandhorse · 18/10/2025 12:42

So so lovely to hear @Cheeseer thanks for update! Great memories made! Like you said you won’t do it the same way next time but you managed to have a wonderful time for you and your kids - they won’t forget that. Life isn’t a rehearsal, and there’s more important things than money. Well done you

Changed18 · 19/10/2025 17:40

Great update, I'm very glad it went well!

ScribblingPixie · 19/10/2025 22:11

Brilliant, really pleased for you.