Mortgage and loan payments

[Nik2879]

Really struggling with not having much extra money due to a loan repayment. We have a loan that pay back £200 a month on and then our mortgage still got about 4 year left on the loan its our own stupid fault for getting credit card debit to help pay for house stuff when we first moved in Got rid of them and now paying the loan off.
Haven't had a holiday for years as the after paying the loan there no other money left to save up for one. Really struggling with what it feels like being the only one who cant afford to take their child abroad she is 6 now.
No real point to this post just struggling worse at this time of year as all friends and work colleagues talk about are holidays they have been on or going on.

Lots of people don’t get holidays - paying off your debt is a great thing to be doing
taking under 8s on holiday is madness anyway

what you need are ways to cope with the bragging / people have more than you which does happen a lot but it doesn’t mean you ain’t such a good person as they are

@childofthe607080s thank you so much just a struggle at this time of year dont want her to feel like shes missing out, I work 4 days a week partner full time and we still cant afford a holiday.

I do it myself but try not to look back with regret you done what you thought was right at the time. I am sure your dd just loves spending time you you and your dh, that's the memories she will have. Could you phone the card company to reduce the loan amount? I am sure you have but have you went over what you can cut out/stop?

Moan away @Nik2879 we are here to listen and help if we can

Can you work full time for a bit of extra money? Can you reduce any of your outgoings? It is tough paying back debt.

Are you paying the standard variable rate on your mortgage? If so get a product that’s cheaper.

Your time will come and then you’ll enjoy your holidays even more. You’re doing the right thing and once you’re debt free, you’ll have more choices. Your daughter will certainly not have missed having a holiday when she’s so little. Good luck and well done.

So many people don’t take kids abroad you can save up for fun cheap trips here, a couple days in an air bnb at a seaside eating sandwiches won’t cost much

Reported that last post

Not yours @Unexpectedlysinglemum 😂

re reported post. The last post was from days ago and doesn’t say anything controversial.
Or was it something else that was posted and it’s strangely vanished rather than appear with blanked out content like it would usually do?

Honestly, forget about holidays and focus on clearing your debt. Have a look at and follow a structured program (Dave Ramsey, Rebel Finance School are just a couple I’d recommend).

PS my DS(16) has been abroad at least once every year since birth - he remembers none of them pre age 11/12ish.

Hi OP we were in your position about 4 years ago and gradually managed to improve our situation. Like others have said look up Dave Ramsey baby steps and try to ignore what others are doing - kids don’t remember holidays and all they do is complain and eat hot dogs anyway! You can have just as much fun having lots of days out together. You will be in a better place soo just stay focused xx

If you are stressed about money could you go full time for a bit

Well done you! We didn't take our youngsters abroad till the youngest was 9. Having just asked (we are in another country), they can only remember 1 thing from it. We did take them to a holiday park an hour away from our house when they were younger. Cooked/ brought all meals from home and even brought them a little bag of snacks / glo sticks to have when we went into the free entertainer each evening with the characters for an hour or so. They thought it was THE BEST and wanted to keep going back (they knew nothing else). R only booked with the 3 night weekend deal or 4 day midweek deal, whichever was cheaper. And even if this is a stretch too far, simple day trips close to home, taking picnics is just as much fun to them. You're awesome sticking to what you can afford!