To think my DF is being ripped off.

[Faultymain5]

My DF decided to go on holiday with his cousins to celebrate another cousin's 70th birthday.

From UK to US (Orlando).

He paid £900 to include flight and accommodation (airbnb between 6 adults (2 kids but I wouldn't count them and clearly they haven't). I was told that should be more than enough (so assume there is some money left over, but never told how much). Flights are about £500 for economy. Accommodation could be pricey they went for 3 weeks.

My dad is terrible with money and has memory issues after a stroke (but has always been allowed to be terrible with money), so normally I or my mum will travel with him (spoil him) and ensure that he's spending reasonable sums. I gave my Cousin £200 (this is to pay for any places they need to get to). I gave my dad £400, this equated to slightly over $500. I gave him $400 and $100 in a separate bag (in case of emergencies).

After day 7 I get asked for £40 as he wants to give $50 to his cousin for her birthday. I had to speak to him, as I felt that he should have more than enough for him (considering there is an emergency fund).

I got a message back from my cousin today saying my DF has around $150 left and they've got 9 days so it might be tight giving her $50. How in seven days do they get through $600? I know it's Orlando and I haven't been for a while, but still. One person who has paid all accommodation and flights, couldn't possibly have used all that up already could they?

I had to ask what they were doing and informed them that they need to cut their cloth accordingly. Was I wrong to say that?

I know my Dad is rubbish with money (his fault and mum's for enabling), however he's also 73 years old, doesn't work, so I'm not sure everything they're doing he needs to be doing too. Should I just send the extra money?

£600 spending money for 3 weeks holiday? That seems very low. I'm assuming they have done touristy stuff, eaten out etc? That's only £30 a day. That wouldn't even pay for 3 meals a day if at least one of them involves eating out.

I think you're being unfair, is it your dads money that you have?

I think you’re being unrealistic, send him some more cash.

£85 a day isn't a great deal if you're eating out a lot, plus admission costs if they've been to any attractions.

Does he not have access to his own funds, are you his appointee/ do you have PoA?

I've never been to Orlando, but it doesn't strike me as likely to be a cheap place to visit. I really doubt that £600 would be anywhere near sufficient for a 3-week holiday there, considering they're presumably having to fund all meals as they're in Airbnb rather than half-board in a hotel. And that's without factoring in birthday presents.

£600 for 3 meals a day, excursions and any snacks/other things he may wish to buy... to last 21 days. Not enough at all!

I have never been to Florida but my sil went.And she said its really expensive.Send more money.Dont be so tight.Its not like its your money.

£200 per week for eating, drinks, ice -cream, trips out, admittance tickets etc? That is totally insuffucient. It's less than £30 per day. He would have to be extremely frugal and have no money for anything besides eating. How awful to be sent with far too little spending money. I bet that has put a dampener on it for all of them.

Just send him more money and don't scrimp. This is meant to be a holiday, a time for enjoying yourself and splurging. I think you are out of touch.

God when we go away we allow £200 a day for food and activities? X

I think you have completely underestimated how much things cost and been very tight on the spending money . However if your dad can not handle his own budget / money I would have dissuaded him from going on holiday with people that you don’t appear to trust .

It doesn't sound like enough to me if they're eating out and doing any tourist stuff.

£200 a week is nowhere near enough. I would budget that per day for DH and I on holiday assuming no half/full board included

Orlando is £100 a day per person EASILY

$100 per day for food if eating out according to this emmadrew.info/save-money-on-your-trip-to-florida-spending-money/

That does sound quite tight. Do you have other reasons for suspecting that your cousins would deliberately try to rip him off? (In which case why did you let them have care of him for this trip?)

A good friend of mine is just back from there. It is NOT CHEAP! Send your dad some more money and let him enjoy his holiday

As others have said, not nearly enough! £600 + $500 emergency fund for a 3 week stay is bonkers: there's eating and drinking (and US tips to factor in), entrance tickets to attractions, transport (car rental?), the odd souvenir...loosen the purse strings a bit, OP! However terrible with money your dad is an adult and shouldn't be reduced to counting pennies on the trip of a lifetime.

I'd suggest £80/day as a maximum spending allowance; if they're in an airbnb then they should be able to have cereal / toast for breakfast and I doubt he's out late at night so it's just daytime activities + 2 meals and a small amount for souvenirs / postcards etc.

£600 is nowhere near enough for a 3 week holiday when you need to pay for food and drink. That's without adding excursions and treats into the equation.

Presumably they should be eating in a fair amount if they're air b&bing, so have a kitchen, which should save costs.

But he still doesn't have nearly enough spending money, especially if places like Epcot, Disney, Universal are on the visit list... Orlando is not a cheap holiday. Ever.

Jesus OP! You are so out of touch it's laughable! Your Dad is in Florida ffs!! £200 a week is nowhere near enough money 😂🤦‍♀️ He will need more than that for food alone! Are you actually being serious??

Nowhere near enough! Pre DD we would take £600 for a week to somewhere like Spain and I would be cooking 2 out of 3 meals. To Florida I would say £100 a day at least too.

I went away for 3 days with my adult son and spent 250 a day just on food and transport to places. Seriously not enough for him to have a relaxing holiday. Bless him

As others have said, not nearly enough! £600 + $500 emergency fund for a 3 week stay is bonkers

I read it as £600 total. The $500 was the $ equivalent of the £400 and then an extra £200 was given to the cousin.

@pasturesgreen the £600 included the emergency fund!

I'm just thinking back to when I went to Spain for a week on a girls' holiday in the mid 90s, I think I took £300 then and that was getting on for 25 years ago.

We budgeted £1k a week when we went for three weeks.