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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To book a holiday?

33 replies

RoundKite · 16/03/2017 07:41

I'm looking into the sun holidays, right now I'm on benefits but I will be going back to work in the next two months.
Would I be U to book a holiday? I've been trying to save so hard for the last month, selling my old dvds to cash generator, selling clothes on eBay etc that I feel it would be a waste of money and be a waste of my benefit money however much of that I would need to use
What's the right thing to do?

OP posts:

PollytheDolly · 16/03/2017 07:43

You've sold your belongings to save?

Book it! Sun is good for the soul

Trifleorbust · 16/03/2017 07:55

Your benefits are yours to do with as you choose. If you would rather go on a trip than eat nicer food/go to the pub/buy a new fridge, that is up to you. No need to don sackcloth and ashes!

Bellerophon · 16/03/2017 09:32

This bloody government has got everyone turned against each other in a race to the bottom, in order to stoke up feeling for policies while we look in the other direction away from Amazon, Google etc.

As far as I'm concerned it's sad that anyone would have to ask others how to use their money - and once it's left the vault, no matter it's origin, it's paid to you and it's yours to do with as you will.

Holidays are important for mental health and for bonding as a family. I say go for it, enjoy, and good luck with everything 😃💪🏽

edwinbear · 16/03/2017 09:37

If you have a firm job offer with start date agreed then no, not at all. I'm job hunting at the moment, it's miserable and soul destroying, if you've succeeded then that's definitely worth a celebratory break in my view!

NSEA · 16/03/2017 09:43

Anothet one to say it's your money. Do with it as you like.

Why do people feel guilty about this. You qualify for it for a reason.

Birdsgottaf1y · 16/03/2017 09:49

I'm on benefits, through ill health, but I'm going to book for a holiday at Christmas. I'm not interested in anyone's opinion on it.

It's your money, it's being spent in the UK, so benefiting our economy, which we desperately need. Anyone who takes issue with it, is a idiot.

Life should be more than a daily grind.

Porpoiselife · 16/03/2017 10:44

Is the holiday for before you go back to work? if so then go for it. If its for after you start work though, you may have an issue with your new employer especially if you book to go only a couple weeks/months after you start.

peachgreen · 16/03/2017 13:45

Personally I wouldn't. Nothing to do with where the money came from, but just in case something went wrong with the job. I'd put the money in savings and book it once I'd passed my probation.

LineysRun · 21/03/2017 10:03

But you've just posted about your tax credits being stopped since January on another thread, and worrying about food, and one of your DC's dad's living in a shed and neither paying any child maintenance.

I think a holiday might be an ill-advised priority if you're skint and going without meals, especially with a new baby.

Babyroobs · 21/03/2017 10:06

OMG. I can't believe this is the same poster who on another thread is saying they can't afford to buy baby milk for her 4 week old baby as her tax credits have been stopped. I'm suspecting this poster is not genuine.

ImFuckingSpartacus · 21/03/2017 10:21

Can people on benefits book holidays? Sure, if they can afford it.

Should YOU personally book a holiday, given that you have a newborn baby and not enough money to feed your toddler? No, I should say not a good idea.

supermoon100 · 21/03/2017 11:32

If you have enough money saved to go on holiday you shouldn't be taking benefits surely?

IamFriedSpam · 21/03/2017 11:52

It was my understanding that you couldn't claim benefits if you've been out of the country in the last 3 months - is that no longer the case? Either way if you have claimed benefits it doesn't really matter what you choose to do with the money.

ImFuckingSpartacus · 21/03/2017 11:58

That was never the case.

Original poster

RoundKite · 21/03/2017 12:00

When did I say I was out of the country?
The sun holidays, as in a holiday from 9.50 in a caravan in England

OP posts:

ImFuckingSpartacus · 21/03/2017 12:04

Keep your for yourself. Why are you booking holidays if you can't afford food for your children?
Savings not for them, are they?

BarbaraofSeville · 21/03/2017 12:04

You might not be able to claim basic unemployment benefit if you're not actually in the country and available for work, but plenty of people on tax credits can afford holidays, assuming they are still being paid
of course.

But obviously, under the new circumstances, buying basics like food, milk and nappies needs to come before the holiday.

talksensetome · 21/03/2017 12:05

Supermoon if the OP is entitled to benefits then it is up to her what she does with them. She can save them for a holiday or blow the lot on fags and booze. There is a savings cut off point but that is way beyond the price of a holiday.

OP I was going to say go for it if you can afford it but it seems there is backstory I haven't seen.

Be wary putting a deposit on a holiday of you can't afford to pay it off. Ex and I booked a holiday, paid the deposit and he lost his job before the balance was due. We ended up losing over £800.

supermoon100 · 21/03/2017 12:07

I've been on benefits. I'm just not sure how you can save enough money from them to afford to go on holiday. I certainly never could!

BarbaraofSeville · 21/03/2017 12:08

Be careful with the Sun holidays. They're never £9.50 pp. I looked into one years ago and there were that many compulsory extras that it was barely any cheaper than booking direct and obviously there's travel and spends on top.

In the end I booked directly with the holiday park in question and got to choose the date, site and type of accomodation in advance, none of which you could do with the Sun thing - you had to give them a choice of 4 sites and 4 dates and they would allocate you from that nearer the time.

LagunaBubbles · 21/03/2017 12:08

Well you can spend your money on anything you like. But Im a bit puzzled why you would book a holiday if you cant afford food?

iloveuihateu · 21/03/2017 12:51

Spartacus....you're so mean spirited that you'd deny someone and their kids a holiday in a caravan in England that she's scrimped to save for by selling belongings because she's on benefits?

What do want them to do? Not have any childhood memories at all? Go and work down the pits?

Jesus.

iloveuihateu · 21/03/2017 12:53

^^I take that back. Have just seen about the other post.

Book a holiday when you're worried you don't have enough money to feed your children? That would be child neglect...

BitchQueen90 · 21/03/2017 12:57

iloveu I don't think Spartacus was saying that, I think she was saying if you are struggling to buy food then booking a holiday is a bit silly?

I've been on benefits and I went on holiday when I was on them. But I wouldn't have if I couldn't afford to buy food. It's not the benefits that's the issue, it's what you're prioritizing.

BitchQueen90 · 21/03/2017 12:57

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