to feel really fed up that we are not going to be having a holiday this year :(

[josben]

....and everyone that I seem to talk to is just about to go away for 1 / 2 weeks to Spain / Tenerife / Devon / Tunisia / Cornwall / France...

:( No money at all - me and DH both working but 3 x Dc's and we have also (stupidly) got ourselves into Credit card debt...

I have just started doing a little cleaning job on the side in a bit to raise some £'s ... I know we are not the only ones, I just seem to know lots of friends who are flying off here there and everywhere over the 6 week hols...

We are in the same position - we haven't had a holiday for 2 years, and won't be able to afford one for the next 5 years, as every spare penny is going to support the dses whilst they are at university.

I do not begrudge a penny of it - their futures are way more important than me getting a holiday, but it does feel like an awfully long haul.

Can you do a day trip to the beach for a "mini holiday"?

We are in similar position. It's tough but there are other ways to enjoy yourself, can you do a day trip to beach?

Billy if you are half way through your car deal you can hand it back with few financial penalties. Speak to national debt line. My sister just going that out and it's saved her financially!

Billy if you are half way through your car deal you can hand it back with few financial penalties. Speak to national debt line. My sister just going that out and it's saved her financially!

Been there OP. it feels horrible. At least the cracking summer means to an extent you can holiday at home.

You've probably already thought of this, but register with loads of websites - breakfree holidays, hot uk deals.com, travelodge, premier inn - ok you might not get abroad, but if you can have 3 nights in a nice place for 60 (travelodge) it might perk you up.

Have a look on Groupon, theres some great deals for 1/2 night stays for £99 pp with meals included

sugary we are exactly the same, getting our slate clean and having a holiday next year. I do feel a bit down about it though.

Me and dh have been together for nearly 12 years. We have 10, 8 and 5 year old kids. In that time we've been on holiday once and that was to a freezing cold caravan in March 2010. dh only went because i paid it off bit by bit and forced his hand. Going away somewhere pretty and sunny seems like a pipe dream to me. I have never even been on a plane. Dh just doesn't believe in spending our his hard earned cash on holidays. We only go on days out that have some interest to him so only places like museums or railways which is fine for ds but the girls pine for the beach. As I don't drive or risk his grumpy face for the day by asking him to I try to plan things that don't involve him but I'm limited by funds or/and distance.

I know in the future I'll be glad that we didn't get into debt and we paid off the mortgage slightly quicker but we won't have any memories or pictures of the kids playing by the pool or in the sea. Everyone I know goes on holiday. My cousin goes away 3 or 4 times a year and she keeps inviting me to go on a "girls only" holiday. I'd love to go but the guilt I'd feel by not seeing my kids for at least a week, spending a chunk of cash on just me (no passport) and doing something they keep begging to do would kill me. I've told dh that he owes us all a big fat holiday to somewhere like Orlando (don't judge. Universal studios is there.) when the kids are older and can appreciate the shit out of it more. At that point he takes more than a keen interest in his cuticles or the urge to use the toilet is dire. I better leave this thread now. I have the overwhelming desire to go into the front room to punch him in the head.

your

rocketeer
We are having 2 weeks camping in Dorset which we've saved for all year and really excited. Got told by a colleague that it wasn't a proper holiday.
Of course camping is a proper holiday. I am getting tent envy just thinking about it.

Look on the bright side - this is one of the best UK summers EVER and if you're not going on holiday then you have picked a Brilliant year to stay home.
(bet those that have jetted off to exotic places, only to have lots of rain will be well pissed) and remind yourself of all the hassle that often goes with holidays:

Endless Packing
Hellishly early wakeup time if its an early morning flight.
LONG wait at check in.
Cramped seats on plane
Crammed in a plane with other peoplle's whinging kids of course your own are angels
Long transfer at other end
Uncomfortable bed and pillows that takes days to get used to can't beat your own bed for comfort
Getting up at the crack of dawn if your're sad to try and nab a sunlounger
Piling on the pounds from all the food.

All the unpacking and washing once you're home
That down-in the doldrums feeling you get while you re-adjust to being home.

You will miss all that!

Could you maybe afford a small camping holiday in this country? Children love camping.
Or a few trips to the seaside?

My parents used to take us abroad a lot when we were little, but the holidays that stick out in my mind the most are the traditional British 'bucket & spade' ones.
Children love to holiday in this country.