How do people afford holidays?

[OneHornedFlyingPurplePeopleEater]

We usually book a UK holiday, cheap and cheerful.

We're now in a position to save approx £300/month towards a holiday. I thought that was great, it's the bulk of our savings each month.

I recognise that we're in a very fortunate position, and I thought this would get us our first abroad holiday.

I'm looking at 10 nights all inclusive at a nice (but not luxury) hotel in Europe. Shit flights, they all are. And school holidays, so paying a premium. And its coming in at £4-6k.

Is this crazy or has it always been like this? How are people affording this?
That doesn't even include any spending money, or any clothes or suitcases (we wouldn't need much - and can borrow suitcases).

It's really got me down. Am I doing something wrong?? Looking in the wrong places (tui, on the beach, jet2holidays etc)? Is it much cheaper if I booked closer to the time?

Easter & October half term are do much cheaper... also, take the kids out of school, it's fine.

Me again. How does 9 nights Cala D’or, Majorca sound for £2,212 - 2 adults, 2 kids. London City airport 22nd July 2024 departure. BA holidays….

I have been to Cala D’or twice - perfect for family holiday. Loads of lovely restaurants walking distance.

my hobby is surfing holiday websites OP.

get it booked! You’ll spend about £1000 if you are careful on eating out, supermarket lunches, get some duty free drinks to enjoy in the apartment.

✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️😁

Loads of options on love holidays for 7 days (ignore previous post they are ABTA covered)

4 star AI Majorca kids pool for 4 for a week 30th Aug £2000

https://www.loveholidays.com/checkout/offer-summary?shortRef=GBL6P6DQ

This sounds great! Taking a look now

No they are not ABTA covered - they had their accreditation withdrawn quite a long time ago now. Google it. Awful company.

OP, we do campsites in Europe. Look them up on Eurocamp/ Canvas sites but then book direct with the campsite - usually cheaper this way. We always stay in mobile homes, three beds, air conditioning, kitchen. Sites are well equipped and geared towards kids - pools, kids clubs, night entertainment etc. Having breakfast on the decking every morning is my idea of heaven. We eat out a lot, but also option to bbq or cook in the mobile. Oh, and sipping wine in the evening on the decking is also heavenly. We’ve just booked a camp in Italy for next year, Camp Fabulous, just outside Rome. Got it for 1000euros for 9 nights. They have an early booking discount. Flights should work out roughly 1000 euro too. We’re going in July.

We go when the Scottish schools break at end of June. It's much cheaper before the English schools stop.

https://www.abta.com/information-for-customers-of-loveholidays#:~:text=We%20are%20sorry%20to%20inform,longer%20a%20Member%20of%20ABTA.

I don’t mean to be rude (maybe a little nosy 🙈), but surely you can save more for a holiday on that salary? So you can have exactly what you want Xxx

We were fined for having two weeks last year. First time we did it. My son has 100% attendance since year r. He's to just about to go in to year 6.

Myself, DP & DS (12) went to Morocco, All inclusive for 7 nights at the end of July this summer.

£1600.00 total for all 3 of us (includes hotel, flights, luggage and transfers)

I start saving as soon as I return for next years holiday - so a whole year of saving £150 a month paid for that.

I literally checked on the beach every day for a while until we got a good deal come up and then paid it off each month.

We were not fussy where we went which helped.

Now saving for next years, but am yet to book.

Go for a week not ten days. We earn much more than you but only ever do a week in summer - it's enough to have a great time.

We don't go on holiday as we can't afford it. However my parents used to save a fair bit by going at easter instead of summer.

I booked a holiday with them yesterday and got the ABTA certificate??

Apologies it’s not an ABTA certificate but an ATOL certificate. I’ve booked with them 4 times a year for the last 8 years and never had an issue.

If you go for October you will have an extra couple of months savings in the pot too...

We have often gone for last minute deals for a one to two week holiday, we took a holiday not knowing which accommodation we would get until we arrived once. We have also taken road trips in America and just winged accommodation along the way, slightly off the beaten track.

We can only afford holidays because DH's mum died suddenly so he got an inheritance.

Other people I know prioritise holidays over everything else, others are massively in debt.

Some have huge amounts of disposable income so the COL crisis barely has an impact.

Every couple of weeks there is a post with someone wondering how other people afford things.

Answer always the same. They have more money than you.
Actually I know more people who get loans or use a credit card and pay off over time.

Op we book a year in advance, cheap Ryanair flights into small airports, stay in eurocamp so mobile homes. Still a pool, beach and activities wherever you go. You just need a roof over your head!

But you can still eat out often. Just have breakfast at home - croissnts from a bakery and a cafetiere of coffee cost next to nothing in comparison with a cafe or hotel. Buy crepes or quiches from a market stand for lunch, or take a pcnic if heading to the beach for the dy. Eat out every other night at local restaurants, and cook simple pasta or salads in between. IMO genuinely more fun than hotel AI.

Not answering the affordability question, but the value of the pound against the euro has declined over the years, which must have an impact.

Why do people post stuff like this? Isn’t it common sense that some people just have more money??

It’s like me posting “how do people afford top spec range rovers?”

How do people afford to send their kids to private school?

How do people afford big houses in the countryside?

The answer is bloody obvious!

We usually spend no more than 1.5k to 2k a year on self catering, or max 3k all inclusive, including all flights and bags etc... for our abroad summer holidays. 2 adults, 2 children.

We always go mid August usually for around 10 days. We r currently on day 8 of this year's holiday in the sun which cost £1.5k for a family of 4.

We've had great trips to Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy.

It doesn't need to cost a fortune.

All inclusive and being stuck in the same place is my idea of a holiday from hell. We book everything separately and make sure we have loads to do in the area because sitting/swimming at a pool or beach for long hours is so boring.

I stick in on a credit card and worry about it later 🙈