to want to go on holiday, even though it would mean us getting into debt?

[darleneoconnor]

I know the general consensuson these types of threads is AIBU but...

-DP and I have been together for 6 years and have NEVER been on holiday together

-It's been years since I took DS away and he is itching to go on holiday again

-DD is still pre-school age but would love a pool and beach everyday and 24/7 time with all the family

• we would do it very much on the cheap (this desire was sparked by seeing ads for £120pp deals)

-financially we are 'living in poverty' but have a low outgoings so dont have to scrimp and save every week or anything. We would easliy be able to pay it back within a year, including interest, without cutting back. Other than the mortgage we dont have any other debts atm.

• DP has only ever been abroad once in his life and I think it'd be great for him to experience a bit of the different culture (food/language etc)

So, is a teensy tiny wee bit of debt really that bad? (It wouldn't cause us stress btw)

I would say, if you can easily pay it back within a year, then you can just as easily save up for a year and go next year, without the worry of what might happen if something goes wrong with your finances and you become unable to pay off the debt.

Sorry but I agree with squeaky!

Yep, what squeaky said.

Don't get yourself into debt, you WILL regret it.

sounds like a bad idea

Go on holiday in the UK. Save up for a foreign holiday next year.
Have you even factored in the costs of passports? Bloody expensive, they are.

Getting into debt is daft if you have the choice not to. Save up instead.

Although holidays in the UK can be more expensive.

not if you collect the vouchers from the Sun or wherever and go to a caravan park for £9 each - if they're still doing that. It's not that hard to find a cheap and cheerful option.

yes, a UK holiday would be more expensive

to the 'what would happen if something happened with your finances' comment- we are already at the bottom of the financial heap, we are worse off than some people on benefits but because our outgoings are so low (tiny housing costs) we cold afford the repayments even if DP lost his job.

Debt isn't something that stresses us out. Until a recent windfall we were in £1000's of debt but it was managable and didn't worry us in the slightest. I was just a bit miffed at the banks making easy money out of us!

As to the 'wait a year' comment. We say this every year but at this rate it's never going to happen.

I say go for it as long as you can realistically pay it off in a year and won't be tempted to spend on something else.

There's nothing wrong with a treat now and then and a small debt isn't a bad thing as long as you can manage it

So in short if this would be a one off treat and you usually are frugal and not the type who is up to their eyeballs in debt then go for it.

But 120pp is 480 in total - and that's before you factor in spending money or anything else, like passports, new clothes for going away etc.

I'm with those who say you should save that money.

And if you're in debt, why shouldn't the banks make money out of you? They aren't exploiting you - you're asking them to finance something that you can't afford.

Don't do it, your kids only go on about it because you do.Have an at home holiday and spend your time and the money you will save on you , your DH and your DC'S.

Do you ever hear about the massive debt this country is in? Yes, people who think along the lines you are cause this. Stop spending out of your means and take some responsibility for your actions. Save up. Then go.

Adding the holiday onto a pile of debt would be a bad idea, I don't think this.

I would however consider the option of saving the money & interest you'd pay & going next early next year & then doing the same. So you know each year you WILL be going on holiday & each year you will have MORE money cos you've not spent it on interest.

We've just come back from a The Sun £9.50 holiday, midweek 4 night break, came to £90 cos we included the bedlinen @£13. We extended to include the first weekend £170. Diesel & travel refreshment costs. Food for the week. Days out. Drinks & snacks when out & about. Windbreak. Days at attractions when the weathers bad. A round in a family friendly pub for 2 adults & 2 children, tenner minimum. We did have a great time, though.

I'd not do it, tbh.

I'd rather save and have a holiday next year, or a self-catering one here if that was all I could afford now.

Abroad is going nowhere, it will always be there.

You're all up late at night for a bunch of party-poopers!

Where's the 'you'll only live once', some things are priceless crowd'?

mrsdimples- we have no other debt at all besides the mortgage

I'm not interested in a UK holiday as an alternative, we already do that for a few days at a time, visiting friends and relatives IME it in no way compares to being abroad- the food, the language, the lack of tescos, the different temperamant of people, the opportunity to meet different people, the guaranteed weather to enable being outside for 10+ hours a day, the scenery, the smell, the excitement of going on a plane, the driving on the other side of the road, being able to stay out in the evenings with the kids playing, swimming in the sea, going on boat trips, the feelgood factor of the sunshine.

We haven't had a very luck time of it the last couple of years and I think going away would be good for me and DP as a couple. I tell him stories of my previous trips but he cant imagine it because he's never been anywhere. If I had my way I'd move abroad so I dont think a short holiday is a huge compromise.

Unpopular- have you actually studied ecomomics? The ecomomy NEEDS people to spend money. Small amounts of managable debt is good for all of us.

because- I was just a bit annoyed with the bank for putting up the interest rate on my ccard (not paid off), when they charge rates so high above the base rate they ARE being exploitative

maras- I never mention it to the kids so that's not why DS wants to go. He remembers how much he enjoyed it before.

We're in a debt management plan now via Consumer Credit Counselling.

In 3.9 years, we'll have paid back that debt. All those creditors are doing is freezing the interest and not tacking on more fees. And none of it was on nice holidays because, 'Well, poor DH hasn't been out of the country'.

There is no way, ever, we will go back to any sort of debt after this for all the sunny climes abroad in this life. We'll save like all hell, flog stuff, churn out stuff to fund raise, whatever.

I'm all for living in the moment. I do it every single day that's why we finally had to own up we were drowning in debt and get help to end the downward spiral.

But the buck stops here.

It's not going anywhere and so it's not worth the debt, IMO.

Bloody hell stop whining and start having a broader def. of a reasonable holiday.

what would be the point in spending any money on a holiday I wouldn't enjoy?

I'm not talking about some big extravagent long haul/exotic destination/4 star/all inclusive fancy holiday just a shoestring med break.

Set yourself a total limit - if you can get a cheap package deal for a summer holiday to Spain or elsewhere on the Med and keep the total cost to £1000-1200 including spending money for all of you, go for it.

But if you go into debt for holiday this year, don't plan another break until you've paid for this one.

"As to the 'wait a year' comment. We say this every year but at this rate it's never going to happen".

The recommendation was for you to save up the money in advance, not pay to service the debt (and interest). If you have been saying this "every year" and have still not managed to start a "holiday fund", then I doubt you will be able to make the repayments.

Staying in UK would also better serve you stated aim of supporting the British economy as all your spending would be here.

Couldn't you set up a direct debit to a savings account that will pay for a holiday next year? You are obviously spenders and not savers, so you need to actively do something to save.

The economic angle is a non-starter as you'd be spending your (or the bank's) money abroad anyway.

I can't see why you'd want to get into debt, even if it is manageable, just to go on holiday. Plan some cheap or even free days out in the UK and save up.

You say you had a windfall which paid off your debts? Do you really want to be relying on another windfall?

You're a long time dead...have a holiday!

I would do it as long as you can pay it off "quickly". Our holidays are often booked and had on credit, but they're paid for the month after. I know I could save up for the 2 months beforehand but I don't. I would however look at "all-inclusive" so you don't have to pay for anything except a donkey in a straw hat.

Lots of cheapo "last-minutes" on this site Travel Zoo starting at 249 per person for a week. You'll need to pay something for the baby, but it's usually a token amount. Don't forget insurance!

You need to have a realistic view if what it is actually going to cost and only then can you decide.

Of course you could go and book a holiday for next year now and make regular payments the same as paying back debt?