How the fuck can people afford to go on holiday?

[Figuringitout]

I’m wondering if I am just super naive about how much everything costs. I earn an okish amount, have a small mortgage and don’t feel like we live extravagantly. I have 3 kids who I’d like to take on holiday. My husband earns seasonally (and is trying to increase that) but at the moment his main contribution to our budget is in looking after kids so we don’t have to pay for childcare.
Back to holidays, I cannot find anything somewhere hot for less that £4k and even France we’re talking about £2.5k.
So, do people have holiday funds that they pay into each month? Please tell me how everyone seems to be affording to go abroad once a year.

I save up each month, we book 12 months in advance to save and free child place. Don't drink, don't smoke, don't have meals out etc.

All inclusive to Marrakech.
£450 each - Easy Jet flight and full board

They can't; even if they're not using credit they're still just robbing their future for a week in the sun.

I break down holiday costs and save each month. Also, never go all-inclusive. It's my idea of hell anyway.

Self-catering means you're free to choose, where, when, etc, you eat, whether that's knocking up something simple in the apartment or going out.

I also shop around and find the best deals on flights and apartments

They can't; even if they're not using credit they're still just robbing their future for a week in the sun.

"Robbing the future"? Holidays and travel are a part of living life (for many people at least) no good having a stash of money for the future if you're not living life now. You can do both you know.

'Robbing their future'? What do you mean @Keith1616

You’ve chosen not to be two full time working parents so there’s your answer. As you have a small mortgage and need to cover obligations don’t put the holiday on credit. You choose wisely, compare flights, train, car and travel light and plan plan plan. If your kids are small they just need sand and a bucket. If you book in time you can find good deals. When I was looking for Airbnb’s in Devon eg, I saw nice looking cabins for around 600 for a week. I think you might find a holiday via Ryanair eg cheaper than holidaying in uk though.

And I advise splitting the costs. Eg book your travel one month. Then pay up front for accommodation another month and another accommodation that you pay on arrival. If your budget is tight paying up front is better.

We have less than 3 kids and we use a family members time share.

Wish I knew. I earn just over £30k and spouse not currently working due to illness. We've not had a holiday even in the UK for about 9 years. I think it'll be at least another 2 years before I see this changing. Life's a struggle just to keep a roof over our heads but you just have to keep ploughing on.

Otherwise known as living their lives, enjoying themselves and making memories, no one is guaranteed a future.

@tribalmango yeah i did haha with a 2 year old and a 5 year old, by myself 😂 before I had my children I enjoyed road trips to Europe with friends etc but now I have children I have hardly any friends , we usually get a plane to Paris but I thought it would be fun to drive. My 5 year old said after we arrived in Folkestone, to the eurotunnel, “mom don’t you think the plane is much quicker” 😂😂😂 but we had so much fun! We went to Paris last year and rented a car so I just thought it worked out to drive our own, we just got a new Electric vehicle, so this was the first trip of many to come 💖

Watch for new flight releases with the budget airlines as it's usually a cheaper time to book, you can sign up for email alerts. Around Black Friday or just after Christmas is a good time to book accommodation separately, either directly with the hotel, or try Topcashback, we got a great AI deal with TUI booked 29 Dec for this Oct - there's no guarantee it'll pay out but it worked out for our holiday last year and even at full price it's way cheaper booking early. It doesn't need paid until end of September so plenty of time to save it up. Our family of 5 stayed a week in Provence at the end of June for £1k - Eurocamp Black Friday deal, and flights to Marseille with easyJet near release date - it's definitely doable with a bit of forward planning.

I plan a holiday so I always plan at least a year in advance pay it off monthly and put a bit of spending away each month also once it’s paid off I start again , cos once it a monthly outgoing I don’t miss it .

The Canary Islands in October is expensive as it’s their summer flight are expensive but once your there it’s very cheap. I have a place in Lanzarote and it’s very cheap to eat and drink and do things

Haven have great offers for holidays around the UK.

We had a great holiday at a Haven place in Cornwall when my son was a teenager, he had a marvellous time with his friend.

Holidays are very expensive now. But you can still get a good holiday away in U.K. (caravan park etc) if budget is tight.

We used to borrow (use credit card) to pay for holidays until we got our budget under control. I think a lot of people do this.

Now we put money aside in a holiday fund each month so we have a pot of money before booking anywhere.

I know others use travel companies that offer to pay the cost over x amount of months.

We earn well and our kids are all adults now but the cost is astronomical!
I am a great believer in living better everyday then splurging on expensive holidays for two weeks. I can’t fathom how people do this either with four plus kids etc abroad x

Going on holiday doesn’t have to mean going abroad. We always took our children to cottages in this country and went to the beach. With days out if the weather was bad.

^With days out if the weather was bad.*
Sounds like fun.

Maybe a UK holiday, a self catering holiday in a cottage, somewhere pretty? I did this when my DC was under 12?

France has olympics so everything is going to be over expensive. Five of you on 4K for a week long holiday is not bad.

France has the Olympics on mostly in Paris. It's a big country. And one that is so much better than the UK at producing good food for reasonable prices.