Anyone else come home and think what a waste of money

[diegothedaigo]

Just did a 10 day trip to a group of islands that I’ve always dreamt about going to. Over 10 hours flying.

Had a nice time, and nothing majorly wrong with it, but just sort of think, hmm? I kinda wished I’d saved the money. I’ve come home feeling knackered despite spending at least 5 days laying on a tropical beach. Is this a normal feeling?

What would you have saved the money for?

I dream of lying on a beach on an island. I have a disabled child and no time off. So no I can't really relate.

I can’t really relate either. Recently had a week lying around a pool in Cyprus and I bloody loved it and know I’m very lucky to be able to afford it.

Not really. My holidays are 'busier' as we are always in the go as opposed to sitting on a beach, but it's just the UK although can cost plenty money (all relative of course) but when I get back tired etc I usually think 'that was great' - the last holiday we took I booked for next year while we were away as I was enjoying it so much

Perhaps you are doing the wrong holiday?

We’ve done some holidays in the uk when the weather has been crap and those have felt like a waste of money. We managed to pick the only wet week in the summer of 2020 to go to Devon and basically sat around in a house less comfortable than our own!
But generally I love to travel and spend a significant amount of money on holidays and rarely regret it, I’d rather spend money on experiences than stuff.

Holidays aren’t my thing at all so I totally get it! we are all different.

Never. I plan my holidays carefully, so I always enjoy them and they are the best use of money I can think of.

I’ve never felt that way. If you don’t appreciate your holidays, stay at home and give the money to a charity that provides holidays for deprived people who can’t afford them. Like my parents couldn’t, so I never had a holiday until I was an adult and earning money.

I think the 'trip of a lifetime' trips are often the most disappointing. You're better off with yearly fun trips with less pressure.

Nope. Holidays are great.

I sometimes feel like that when I go away in the UK.

10 hours away is a lit of traveling for many, 2 hours to Spain and have some laughter, it’s very restorative

No, I've never felt like that. I usually end up booking another one as soon as I am back!

I think holidays are pretty overrated and definitely have better use for the money.

I don’t feel like this at all! I love being on holiday, usually book a few excursions when we get there. I do almost no research when booking though so have low expectations which are always exceeded as I haven’t meticulously planned and then had expectations as to how it would pan out.
We aren’t people who can lay on a beach or by the pool much, while there’s always a bit of that it’s not really the focus of the holiday.
what would you have used the money for if you hadn’t gone on holiday?

No I never feel like that. But we don't really do big, expensive holidays. I'm 51 and have only been outside Europe once and we almost always self-cater. I think I have good but realistic expectations of holidays, so they don't disappoint. I always really enjoy them and am glad I went. I imagine it's hard for a trip to fully live up to a 'holiday of a lifetime' or 'wanted to go there my whole life' expectation.

Oh and yes, I find it hard to imagine that just lying on a beach for 5 days would really be that amazing. Sounds pretty boring tbh!

Well, why did you always want to go there?

No, I think holidays are the best use of my spare money. I absolutely love them. We’ve always had fun & usually come back wanting to book again.

Maybe when I'm knackered having just returned and I'm working my way through the laundry pile. Definitely not 6 weeks later when I'm back in rat race. Even less 6 years later when I remember back to happier times in the sunshine, conveniently having forgotten the crap bits.

Christ, people are that's. Just because person A can't afford something doesn't mean person B can't be disappointed in the same thing.

I understand it and feel frustrated by feeling that way. I just went on holiday to the most glorious place that I adore. I had to pay someone to cover for me as I'm self employed so that added a lot to the cost.

We had an extremely noisy family of 13 adults next to us I'm aplace which is known as remote and peaceful. They played loud music all day even though asked mot to by us and the owner of the villa. Told us yo 'enjoy life', ie their music and shouting.

As well as that I just feel that now I'm back I may as well not have gone. I never used to feel that way, I wonder if its yet another menopause symptom!

So yes,you are not the only one to ferlthat way.

Yes. We don't holiday abroad anyway, but I shudder at the thought of all the money it would take, all the driving, travelling times, getting places, sitting places etc.

Ooh I prefer to focus on the guaranteed sunshine, the pools, the beach, the long lazy meals, the different cultures, the beautiful scenery.

I would be fed uo and so bored if i lay on a beach for a day, never mind 5! I would feel id wasted money if i did that. Did you not go sightseeing?

I relate. I saved all year to afford 4 days in a caravan on the Welsh coast. I bought groceries for the week from the local ASDA and upon trying to cook the food it turns out the oven and cooker hobs don't work and as for the activities I had planned in the caravan park, the owners neglected to inform us via an email with a code number that we had to book everything on site 6 weeks in advance. I have spent money that we don't have for more food offsite and entertainment elsewhere. Also, the local fairground was closed, the local castle and manor were closed and the only other attraction (a land train) was closed but advertised everywhere as running as normal.