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?!

I know what you mean. We are a family of 5 as well. Are comfortable financially, but then it comes to holidays im always looking for the best value! I love holidays.
One tip for camp sites though, book direct!

Me personally think they are worth it.

when I’m old and my kids see grown I want those memories to look back on.

Least your grandkids will have great holidays as your own kids will remember what it’s like having a killjoy in the family, when their pals are away more often. The excitement, adventure, memories, laughs, experiences make it all worth it.

Don’t be daft. If everyone waited until they had 6 months wages in the bank before going on holiday they could be decades older, ill or dead. Life is for living, you never know what is around the corner. I think it’s really sad people would put their life (and their children’s childhoods) on hold in that way. If you have a steady income you can reasonably make some risk based decisions to balance responsibility and enjoyment.

Probably split it on a 0% credit card to maintain the liquidity. But to be fair I’d do that regardless of how much I had in savings.

We had a home build/kitchen that went way over budget, hence the large debt. However, we paid off quickly and are actually putting £2k into savings each month. So, whilst 8k is not my comfortable level, we’d recoup quickly - the timing of the summer holidays is just unfortunate. Id like about 6 months expenses in savings to feel better about it.

So whilst I agree with you, this also isn’t a case of can’t afford if that makes sense.

I’ve always have value for money issues - just not this bad before. So yes you are probably right re the savings levels, but also compounded by the COL crisis pushing prices up at the same time.

😂
Youre not wrong

they did go to Spain and France last year, and turkey and greece the year before so they aren’t too hard done by.

that's a very weird to see it.

When you spend £500 a day on holiday, you don't do housework all week - you are not home!
you ARE going on trips everyday (or should if you wanted to, because it's YOUR holiday and up to you to plan it right)
you ARE eating out every day?

If you do none of these things, then I am not sure what kind of holidays you pick?

I would find it much harder to spend money on a new kitchen than a holiday.

That’s a great shout re campsites.

As a 5, the biggest issue I come across is accommodation that will willing to spend a lot of money on. I don’t want to spend a week in a bedroom with the kids - or worse split across 2 rooms because they can’t accommodate 5 but an adult needs to be in each room 🤦‍♀️(and pay double for the privilege)

Caravans have definitely been a way we’ve got around that issue.

then that's a different issue than your thread title...

You are currently saving money back. If it's too early to go somewhere and you prefer to have build back your savings, it's not the same.

You can cancel the holidays this year, go in October or another school holiday, or next year, it's not a big deal.

It doesn't mean holidays are not "worth" the money

I’m struggling with this more and more. I’ve always enjoyed holidays but I also only really like luxury holidays but the price point is getting a bit silly and harder to justify. I don’t really want to be slumming it on holiday and I don’t really like being stuck with annoying people- I’d rather not go and do day trips here instead. The dilemma is real.

What we have really enjoyed though is doing more active breaks like Lapland, city beaks, skiing. But even then, the last time we did skiing, the accommodation was pretty basic and we’d want nicer accommodation going forwards which again adds cost.

That is an insane price to pay. Go bed and breakfast instead of all inclusive its much cheaper. Or pick a cheaper resort like Salou or Cambrils in Spain or hire a cottage in the UK and do some great days in this country. We did Norwegian Fjords in April, cottage in Cornwall next week, house on Isle of White with daughter and 3 kids in August . Im sure we'll be fine as theres lots to do there. It doesnt have to be some beach resort with a kids club to be enjoyed

Totally agree but a 3k holiday outright wouldn’t be my budget with 3 kids and a large mortgage and only 8k of savings. I would stay uk based and do self catering. Unless I paid it off in advance out of my salary then it is affordable.

You have to spend time in your kitchen every day, so if it’s making you miserable it’s worth the cash I think.

There were 6 of us when I was a child, so we went camping a lot as it was very cheap. We had great adventures. One year after reading Swallows and Amazons we went camping and sailing in an old rowing boat!! No pirates though!!! 🤣

Is it? I haven’t managed to price anything up that’s abroad (and kids will want an outdoor pool and or beach with sun).

Nothing to add in respect of you being financially comfortable with spending money on holidays. I will add my memories of childhood holidays and my children's
often spoken about holiday memories two or three times a year are amongst the most precious things we as a family own. I don't regret a single penny. I understand not every family can afford holidays. In the early days when we didn't have much we bought a nearly new frame tent & camping gear & off we went with our car roof piled high. Our memories of those fun days are just as good as our expensive foreign beach holidays. There's always a way.

That’s good, I get you. BOOK IT 🤣🤣

Agree with PP Cambrils has some gorgeous hotels and it’s got good prices, as does Lanzarote.

I couldn't disagree more. Holidays are the thing we spend on over pretty much anything else. Our kids get SO much out of having new experiences and seeing the world. I also really enjoy it so feel it's money well spent! I agree with pp that there are cheaper options so you feel you're getting better value for money if that's the thing that stops you enjoying them.

For me uk based self catering may is just parenting/ adulting in a less nice house than my own.

Been there Op with family of 5. When younger it was load up the car, eurotunnel to France (paid with Tesco vouchers) then a euro amp or other campsite but a caravan. Took some basic meals with us and explored supermarkets.. One of the favourite bits were the supermarket trips as different flavors of squash etc they can try.
Now bigger we fly but buy flights in boxing day sale (got for about £60each way) and hired a villa.
Its the family of 5 which sinks you as lots set up for 4. Good luck

I pity people who think like you and are stuck in their ways on what a holiday "should be".
Close minded and miss out on so much as a result.

No me neither. We went to Pembrokeshire every year and had a great time. My first trip abroad was a school trip to Brittany at 16, and my first time on a plane was to LA at 21, on my own to visit sibling who was working there.

So you have the money, you enjoy it, children enjoy it and you arent happy.

I do think that this is a issue that therapy could help solve.

What did you parents value? What holidays did you have as a child? What do you value in life?

Deffo try Eurocamp... 500 quid could pay for the whole week if you fancy a better park maybe add another 500. Done Spain several times on the Costa Dorada, well worth it... It's all about the planning and researching... Suggest some sort of calendar planner to dot some dates as everything changes price wise accordingly to dates...