Holidays are just not worth the money

[Phonicshaskilledmeoff]

Holidays are just not worth it.

The kids are desparate to go on holiday. I struggle to see the value though. For the 5 of us an abroad holiday is about £3k minimum. I struggle to get over the cost whilst I’m there - £500 a day and I sit wondering whether it was worth it.

The kids are excellent travellers and beautifully behaved when on holiday so it’s nothing to do with them. I just think it’s insanely expensive for what you actually get.

I enjoy it whilst I’m there - how do I stop being a cheap killjoy?!

@Hayley1256

if you aren’t on all inclusive you wouldn’t eat as much as that though, a lot of that is unnecessary food and eating just cos it’s there and available and included in the cost. A lot of people won’t even have lunch when on holiday cos they are busy and out and about and stuff -they will have a substantial breakfast and then dinner

I could not agree more. We gave up on them years ago in favour of short mini-breaks in cities in the UK, Ireland, Germany and France.

Foreign holidays are a total waste of money.

T. B. H. A Holiday with your kids is not a holiday ( for us).....you need another HOLIDAY to get over it.... Do something less elaborate, closer to home. When our kids were babies, we once went to a Holiday Camp just one hour ,by road. The weather was nice. It was a break.

@SamAylward

why do you think they’re a waste of money?

@Phonicshaskilledmeoff

do you not do all that stuff on holiday though? You don’t cook and clean on holiday do you?

also you must realise that if you let them buy a load of stuff they’ll likely buy a load of tat! Experiences better than stuff always

I think its worth it to make the memories. If you can afford it, then treat them.

We do a mix but to save money all inclusive can work out well. Then you don't need to worry about money when there. Also best to book early as possible. Or Jan when there are sales. Then you can get a better deal instead of trying to find something reasonable now.

Op , I’m 44 and my best memories as a child where on holiday with my parents and sister . My 10 year old daughter and even my 4 year old cherish their holidays so much , they remeber stuff even we don’t remeber . Pay the money , make the memories , I just spend the last few days with my 2 week old baby is hospital , I’ve never had to stay in hospital with a child and was honestly scared to see him poorly , all I wanted was our family together , my girls have ben visiting daily and taking to him about going to Portugal and Disneyland ( our last holidays ) and how he must get better so he gets to see it all with them .
Memories are so core to our childhood.

Thankfully the baby is getting better and I can’t wait to take him on holiday to it’s his siblings so he can make his own memories .

@Tink3rbell30

lol most people like to get out and about and sight see and experience a bit of culture not sit by pool all day while on holiday but you do you

Maybe the AI resort options aren't such a bad deal after all then.

A good compromise option might be to pick one in or within striking distance of a town/city, so you don't feel so much like it's just a beach and pool holiday.

This is all a bit “the price of everything and the value of nothing.”

I loved holidays when I was a child. The happy times, the experiences and memories, I’m so glad my parents didn’t have this attitude towards holidays otherwise I would have missed all this.

My husband would happily stay at home throughout the year, every year, and it’s so frustrating. He’s a homebody and also doesn’t see the value of travelling and having new experiences outside the same four walls all the time. I’d give anything to be able to go on a lovely beach holiday and feel so sad I genuinely can’t afford it!

Holidays are amazing memories for kids and a time where there's no work, school, normal routine stuff... whilst they are expensive I fully believe theyre worth every penny, however we have never spent £500 a day as a family of 4!

@Phonicshaskilledmeoff

How old are your children, OP?

Not sure if it's still true but years ago it was shown that a RR was the best value of the posh cars, they last far longer, it's not unknown for a RR to be 30+ years old!

Really? That would be a total of £3.5k for everything for a week. Flights, travel to and from airport and resort, accommodation, all food drinks and snacks, days out etc.

I appreciate it’s a lot of money but it doesn’t look excessive to me.

For me holidays are often worth the price tag. I love being away, being in a location I can explore, eat new food, see things I may otherwise never see.

I do think prices have exploded to a point where we are much more selective what I book. We won't do AI for example anymore, the quality has decreased to the point that I just don't enjoy it anymore. We often do a two center break, city trip/activity and then B&B in a hotel for a couple of days afterwards to relax.

500 buck a day ! Are you in Disneyland or something ?!
take family eurocamping def less than 500 a day 🤣

I think you misunderstand me, I don't think there's anything wrong with either holiday - as you say, everyone has different tastes.
I just took umbrage at the snotty attitude of the poster I was quoting who was all like "I pity people like this"

I feel like this too at times. I never seem to be able to find a holiday that suits us all for less than £5000 more if the older DC come too.
We don’t want to camp, drive, cook or share a bedroom. It’s expensive.

How are your mini breaks not holidays??

Right so not £3k plus spending £500 a day!

That’s including total cost of the holiday.

eurocamp is not cheap as chips unless you are actually camping.
we just paid 1500 Euros for 5 days in a similar camp with aircon. That doesn’t include cleaning, transport to get there, or food or entertainment. Before you know it will be 3K for a week which is pretty much 500 per day

Some of our best family holidays have been in the UK either in a holiday cottage or caravan park. We have done luxury abroad, Disney etc but honestly we have amazing memories from some of our cheap and cheerful UK breaks.

We would eat and drink about the same (bar the chocolates). I don't go on holiday to cook and clean so even SC we would eat out all the time. It sounds like OP has priced up an AI holiday and I do think they work out better value

Ha yes, we did quite a lot of international holidays but the one they talk about most is when we went to Donegal in Ireland and they spent the whole afternoon digging a massive hole on the beach.

You definitely don’t need £500 a day. You might not like a pool or a beach holiday but I can guarantee you they will. You don’t need to eat out all the time. Bread, ham, cheese and tomatoes are usually easily available, as are croissants and pastries, and simple meals like pasta and sauce are devoured. A few nights out in local restaurants will cost money, but there are always pizza places and tavernas. Throw in an ice-cream every day and they’ll be as happy as clams.

My favourite holiday memories from childhood are staying in a caravan in North Devon, spending most days on the beach, eating sandy sandwiches & drinking orange squash.

We would have fish & chips on the last night (usually paid for by my grandma who used to come with us) and “easy teas” in the caravan the other nights. Grandma would also treat us to an ice cream or lolly most days.

Holidays for us are about rest, relaxation, seeing other parts of the country/world and having a break from everyday life. Me, DH, DS1 & DD went camping in Devon in May half term & had a fun week. Granted, even camping is much more expensive than it once was, but certainly more affordable than many holidays.