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Original poster

To book a holiday even though we're in debt?

305 replies

HalalPork · 23/08/2016 12:28

We haven't been away at all this year or last year. The year before our lovely ILs took us away for the week (not abroad).

We've had a really tough time over the past couple of years, illness, job loss, general stresses. We've never done a foreign beach type holiday.

From a quick browse it looks as though we could book a villa with a pool for next year for a couple of grand. This amounts to four months roughly of credit card repayments at the current rate we're clearing it (all 0%).

Would this be mental? I'd like to give the kids the experience before they're too old to want to come with us (teenagers already).

We're not on the bones of our arse, Dh earns good money and all the bills etc are paid before we look at repayments, and we do still have some fun money, we're not sacrificing ourselves at the altar of debt.

Would it be madness at this point to stick another £2k or so on the credit card?

OP posts:
OnionKnight · 24/08/2016 17:56

OP have you posted a thread in relationships recently?

londonmummy1966 · 24/08/2016 18:23

Err?? Harry - it's a thread about whether or not someone already heavily in debt should incur more going on holiday, and being advised by the majority that it is not a good idea. The relevance of someone who is not in debt still deciding not to go on holiday as their holiday budget was swallowed up by another expense ought to be obvious. Sorry you missed that whilst getting your knickers in a twist about my spending our holiday money on a cello. For my family (other than the cellist's little sister of course) the cello was a priority not a holiday. If we were in debt we would have bought neither. Foreign holidays are a luxury not a necessity you have to get into debt for.

littleshirleybeans · 24/08/2016 18:24

Sorry I've not RTFT
I've done this, gone away a few times on a credit card or overdraft when we couldn't really afford to. Probably still paying it off Blush
However, we had absolutely lovely villa holidays. Totally couldn't afford to go last year or this year and no leeway at all.
I don't regret it. If I had any means of going this year, I would.
We've had a couple of lovely uk breaks but I'm still feeling a bit sad that we'll not be able to do our "usual" holiday in October.
Both dh and I have had members of our family basically drop dead, so I try to live a bit more in the moment.
I probably have the sane amount of credit card debt as you, OP. Sadly, not 0%.
Yes there are times I regret our debt and worry about it. But I look at the bigger picture. I'm not likely to lose my job unless I do something outrageous.
Dh probably wouldn't lose his job either but we'd get by. I could work more.
We have fantastic memories of family holidays when our DC were younger. I'm hoping to get my backside in gear and pay off some debt and hopefully go away next year.
If your debt is manageable, then I'd say go for it.

HarryElephante · 24/08/2016 18:32

Foreign holidays are a luxury not a necessity you have to get into debt for

Foreign holidays are whatever you want them to be. Some people are not in the fortunate position of not having to borrow to go on them.

But don't let me stop you pontificating!

Dustpan · 24/08/2016 18:33

Replying altho not read full thread.

Can you do a house swap to get a foreign holiday? May not be by the beach but could be a city location perhaps.

Could you compromise and take the kids for a long weekend abroad, European city? Again if you could house swap it would save on hotel

londonmummy1966 · 24/08/2016 18:45

But at least you now understand the relevance of my thread Harry

kath6144 · 24/08/2016 19:18

Op - someone did ask this earlier, sorry if I have missed your reply. Will any of your kids want to go into Higher Education? If so and you have a household income > 25K (& it sounds like you do) then you will have to contribute to their living expenses, they wont get the maximum subsistence loan. Will you be able to do that, maybe for more than 1 if there is an overlap?

Or will you be telling them that they cant have any help at Uni, but they should be pleased you took them abroad on holiday?

I never went abroad (other than Eire to see dads family) till I was late teens and paying myself. I first flew with work at 23. Neither of these has harmed me. We go on caravan hols, both in UK and abroad. DS was more than happy to join us this year at 18, as well as going with his mates. He has indicated he will come with us for foreseeable future, so reaching 18 doesnt mean they suddenly stop wanting to holiday with you.

Original poster
HalalPork · 24/08/2016 19:42

The DC all have healthy savings from grandparents and us.

Don't worry, we're nowhere near bankruptcy.

OP posts:
HarryElephante · 24/08/2016 19:57

londonmummy, I actually still don't get your point.

The question was should the OP go further into debt by going on a holiday. Not forgoing a holiday to buy a cello - or buying anything else.

There was also a more philosophical - less tangible - point where OP may not get this chance as a family again, and is that worth going further into debt for? The debt - which is seemingly serviceable - will be paid off in time but the memories from the holiday may well last a lifetime.

But if I ever need to choose between a piano and a luxury car, you'll be my first port of call.

londonmummy1966 · 24/08/2016 21:07

Harry are you just being deliberately obtuse? I really hope you are.... the question was do you go into debt for a holiday. The answer was no you don't - even if you are debt free. If you can't work that one out then I would suggest the car every time as playing the piano is quite tricky....

Also what planet are you living on if you think a foreign holiday is not a luxury?

Advicepls7080 · 24/08/2016 21:42

I think what Harry mean it's not a one or the other situation like yours was London eg Cello or Holiday.

Op is basically asking would 2k ontop of 15k really that much of a difference. But topics like this divide people some people don't mind 'debt' whilst others couldn't bear the thought of it.

Advicepls7080 · 24/08/2016 21:43

Oh my god just ignore my last post the worst grammar ever! Friggin hell thats embarrassing

Lifegavemelemons · 25/08/2016 07:57

But it IS a 'one or the other' situation - but the choice is between keeping the debt at the current level or a holiday, which will raise the debt.

londonmummy gave an example of choosing between two things to put money into. One was judged important (cello) one a luxury (holiday)

In OPs situation the choice is between important (continue to decrease level of debt) and luxury (holiday)

Anyone who considers a holiday an essential when they are already in debt lives on planet Entitlement.

Advicepls7080 · 25/08/2016 08:18

The OPs point was she fears she won't get another chance at a family holiday.

Lifegavemelemons · 25/08/2016 08:24

2k Holidays are luxuries - not essentials.

Happi3n3sss · 25/08/2016 08:34

15K + 2K is a lot of debt !

A holiday is a luxury

Can you make some cut backs and save some money ?

However, we all make choices about what we spend our money on

Do you have ?
Savings
Pension
Emergency savings fund

HarryElephante · 25/08/2016 08:37

2k Holidays are luxuries - not essentials

Isn't this entirely subjective?

Advicepls7080 · 25/08/2016 08:37

Yes it is subjective.

Kennington · 25/08/2016 08:45

I personally wouldn't get into further debt. You need some savings too in case things break around the house.
Holidays have been marketed well as an essential. They aren't!
I wouldn't do it. And if I did go I wouldn't enjoy the holiday.

Lifegavemelemons · 25/08/2016 08:54

2k Holidays are luxuries - not essentials
Isn't this entirely subjective?

Yep - it is I suppose - in that it depends on the situation of the person taking it. For a person already in £15k worth of debt I find it mind boggling that it would be considered anything other than a luxury.

How is it different to buying the famous (and often quoted) MN wide screen to with full sky subscription when in debt?

Lweji · 25/08/2016 08:59

2k Holidays are luxuries - not essentials

Isn't this entirely subjective?

No.
Certainly not "entirely".
Maybe not a luxury, but certainly not essential.
It's very much a want, not a need.

lljkk · 25/08/2016 11:45

It sounds to me like OP is wanting to book this to try to fend off a depressive episode. I'm sorry I don't have a simple easy solution to otherwise appeasing that nagging feeling of needing to take a risk & let the consequences be damned.

BadLad · 25/08/2016 12:44

I only had debts from being at university, and they weren't quite half your debt, OP, but clearing them was a brilliant feeling. Absolute joy and euphoria.

I'd stick with paying them off instead of pricey holidays if I were you.

Haworthiia · 25/08/2016 12:52

We didn't have much money as kids. We had no foreign holidays at all and I didn't feel the lack of them. We had fun days out at the coast or a week in a caravan. Many happy memories.
What I DO remember from being kids was anxiety over lack of money.

You can make memories cheaply. I think with your history of disordered spending id be seeing your desire to do this holiday as a warning sign. Go talk to your doctor

rosesarered9 · 25/08/2016 14:20

I think a cheaper holiday can be done. Book Ryanair flights AND STICK TO THEIR RULES, find a cheap hotel on Booking.com, maybe a cheap hire car (maybe £20-£30 a day) and you have holiday for no more than £600. Even better if you stay with relatives.