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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To put a dream holiday on a credit card - even though I can't afford it

181 replies

Notcool1984 · 26/04/2023 13:40

Would I be crazy?
Reeaaallly crappy year with health issues, family stuff, kid dramas.
I've always dreamed to go to a particular long haul destination.
I have around £2k saved, but realistically need around £2K more.
Would I be mad to put it on a credit card?
As background, I have no credit card or student load debt. I earn around £3k pre month, although single parent, but still £500 savings per month is doable, so it would take up to 6 months realistically to pay back.
Would you risk it?

OP posts:
5128gap · 26/04/2023 16:17

Absolutely. But I'm a very un MNetty live for the moment person. I've got to an age where I've seen too many people never get the chance to do what they sensibly decided to wait until they'd saved up for, to want to live my life worrying about a future that may not happen as you expect if to. Its £2k, you have a plan to pay it off, people think nothing of borrowing multiple times thst much for cars a higher spec than they need, and for houses much bigger than necessary. Go for it and enjoy.

shivawn · 26/04/2023 16:17

Notcool1984 · 26/04/2023 15:53

I went when I was backpacking many moons ago and loved it, always wanted to take the kids there.

I'm nostalgic for my backpacking days in Thailand too and would love to take my son there when he's a bit older!

I mean, ideally you should save in advance and pay for it upfront but if you think it'll be better this year due to your children's ages.....it sounds like an amazing experience and you sound financially sensible enough that you'll pay it back quickly .

AlecTrevelyan006 · 26/04/2023 16:17

Borrow to invest, not to spend.

Kolakalia · 26/04/2023 16:18

Honestly though, this is how people get into major debt that starts snowballing. Take it from me, bankrupt by 24 due to ill health and not being eligible for any benefits. It was either put rent/food on a CC or lose my home/go hungry. Since then I haven't got into a penny of debt, terrified of it. Your financial stability just isn't worth throwing away for a holiday.

summerfinn · 26/04/2023 16:20

Go on the holiday. You only live once

caringcarer · 26/04/2023 16:22

I wouldn't get into debt over a holiday. Just save and go next year. If the holiday itself is costing £4k you will need money to spend, possibly new clothes and shoes, travel insurance. It could all add up to an additional £1.5k.

kitsuneghost · 26/04/2023 16:24

My issue would not be the holiday
I could afford the repayments and would mentally include the interest as part of the holiday.

My issue would be spending money. That would be another 2K and saving for that would make the holiday hard to pay off.
Then if something else big 'came up' I would be in trouble.

Do you have proper savings to fall back on in a crisis?

PurBal · 26/04/2023 16:25

I used to live in Asia, XDP and I went to Thailand fairly regularly. For the weekend (2 nights) it cost £800 10 years ago (including flights with a budget airline). Not AI so trips and massages and some meals extra. It’s also the kind of country you’d ideally need to do as a twin centre minimum so I’d really check what you’re getting for your money, flights alone are about £900 each. May be cheaper if not going direct. Enjoy, but putting it on a credit card is a bit risky.

Boomboom22 · 26/04/2023 16:26

If you have emergency savings on top of the 2k plus save 500 a month its fine. Of course you won't spiral into debt, you know how to save and how to pay it back and are disciplined to not use emergency savings. Don't judge yourself by those who are not in your situation.

SuzyQ12 · 26/04/2023 16:28

My husband and I did this a few years back using a 0% credit card to go and visit family in New Zealand and have never regretted paying it off for a couple of years after going, but would have always regretted not going.

Newtrix · 26/04/2023 16:37

Oh ffs so many miseries on here... get it booked and enjoy every minute!

beachcitygirl · 26/04/2023 16:40

Yes, I would get a 0% card. The future is promised to no one & you've had a crappy year J you have no other debt!
Enjoy!
Tell us where the dream holiday is 😍

Pahpahpotato · 26/04/2023 16:41

Honestly I’d just do it.

Xrays · 26/04/2023 17:13

5128gap · 26/04/2023 16:17

Absolutely. But I'm a very un MNetty live for the moment person. I've got to an age where I've seen too many people never get the chance to do what they sensibly decided to wait until they'd saved up for, to want to live my life worrying about a future that may not happen as you expect if to. Its £2k, you have a plan to pay it off, people think nothing of borrowing multiple times thst much for cars a higher spec than they need, and for houses much bigger than necessary. Go for it and enjoy.

This is my mentality too.

Seen too many people get to retirement with a wad of cash in the bank and then they suddenly become too unwell to enjoy it. Yep there’s a balance but sometimes if you keep waiting for things to be perfect you never do anything!

Whochangedmynamec · 26/04/2023 17:15

I wouldn’t. Better safe than sorry.

IMustDoMoreExercise · 26/04/2023 17:31

Only if I could put it on a 0% credit card. There are lots around some for 24 months.

coolnice · 26/04/2023 17:34

Sparklfairy · 26/04/2023 14:49

See if you can get a CC with 0% purchases. Work out when the 0% ends and divide the holiday cost by that many months, round up to the next £100 and pay it off within the time.

So 2k on CC 0% for 12 months, pay off £200 a month and you'll do it comfortably. Absolutely no difference to the martyrs here saying 'save'.

This !

Do it

PoseyFlump · 26/04/2023 17:36

Going against the grain. Sounds like you can afford to pay it back easily and you sound like you need a break!

MissLucyLiu · 26/04/2023 17:38

So once you are there did you plan any spending money ? Are you going to put that onto credit card also?

coolnice · 26/04/2023 17:38

Notcool1984 · 26/04/2023 15:05

Oh the tide turned a bit while I looked away haha. It is a funny age my kids are at too, 13 and 11, so wondering if the oldest will be too grumpy teenager by next year to enjoy...

Also

We decided the other day to plan a family holiday to Mexico - thought kids would be thrilled at the thought . Sadly it was not to be !! My kids are 17, 14 and 9 and the older two don't want to go 😔 and little one isn't bothered she's just as happy with skeggy and we're not going to take just her

So if they want to go on hol with you NOW-
Go !! Make most of it !! As this may change

(On the plus side H and I are planning a kid free holiday next year thanks to parents offering to babysit. just got to decide on a destination )

toptail22 · 26/04/2023 17:43

Do it!!!!

Stressybetty · 26/04/2023 17:58

If you can get the 0% card and pay it off over the longer term I'd go for it. You have no debt and sound very organised and sensible to me. Do the kids want to go?

Alloveragain3 · 26/04/2023 18:00

I wouldn't.
There'd be so much pressure on the holiday to be perfect and I'd be worrying about money rather than enjoying it.
Save, buy, enjoy!

shivawn · 26/04/2023 19:37

MissLucyLiu · 26/04/2023 17:38

So once you are there did you plan any spending money ? Are you going to put that onto credit card also?

All these people on about spending money or savings really need to just read the thread before commenting....

WallaceinAnderland · 26/04/2023 19:51

Ah June, that will be why it's cheap, it will be very wet. Is that worth spending 4k on, let alone getting into debt over?