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Original poster

Going on holiday whilst in debt

60 replies

Turkytwizla · 29/12/2023 20:05

Do you think it’s ok to ho on holiday whilst being in debt. I’m not talking about extreme ‘we’re gonna lose the house’ debt. I’m talking about having some manageable debt that you’re just paying off monthly.

would you still go on holiday if you had outstanding unsecured debt?

OP posts:

Hibye23289 · 29/12/2023 20:06

Yes

MissingMoominMamma · 29/12/2023 20:07

I just paid off my credit card then booked a holiday on it.

No regrets whatsoever.

I’ve lost too many loved ones recently to miss out on opportunities to have fun and create memories.

SeattleSpacePlane · 29/12/2023 20:08

I mean technically it's probably advisable not to. But meh, we have before.

You need to find the balance between being financially responsible and 'life is for living'. Either extreme isn't often good imo.

Iwishiwasasilentnight · 29/12/2023 20:09

How much debt? How much on the holiday? For me it wouldn’t be ok but I’m very debt adverse.

DeedlessIndeed · 29/12/2023 20:10

I would think of it more as:
"would I go on holiday, if I had no savings?"

In which case, no. I'd not feel comfortable without that buffer and so I wouldn't consider a holiday.

However, if someone was working their way through a plan to clear their debt, and it takes multiple years or whatever, and they could budget an inexpensive break alongside your debt repayments, then I think that could be reasonable. I certainly wouldn't judge (provided they weren't pleading poverty before or after!)

DGPP · 29/12/2023 20:16

Yes of course

LIZS · 29/12/2023 20:18

Paying off , or servicing the debt? Who is owed?

TheChosenTwo · 29/12/2023 20:20

Depends on a lot for me but I don’t agree with the idea that total deprivation is the only way to pay back debt, life has to be worth living.
I hate the idea of debt though so if it were attainable to pay it off in up to say 12 months if I cut back on things like holidays I would but I would ensure I had enough money to treat myself to a few special days/nights out in those 2 years so life didn’t feel like a total
joyless slog.
Life is absolutely for living but I live within my means.
Doesn’t mean it’s wrong to go on holiday while you’re still paying back debts though.

willingtolearn · 29/12/2023 20:22

Wouldn't work for me.

But I don't much like holidays and I'm terrified of debt.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Landlubber2019 · 29/12/2023 20:26

It really depends £3k debt - yes go and enjoy
£10k debt - probably not

** Obviously mortgage and car debts are not considered in these figures

ActDottie · 29/12/2023 20:29

Yes but not a full on super expensive fancy holiday. Maybe holiday cottage in U.K. or a cheap holiday in a resort.

BeingATwatItsABingThing · 29/12/2023 20:36

Would definitely depend on the type of debt and how much the holiday is. We only have mortgage and car finance debt that we pay off monthly and we pay off our credit cards every month. However, our savings are low and we have house stuff we want to get done plus a baby due in April.

I’m looking at cheap UK holidays (Haven or similar) because I know we’ll want to get away with our DC at least for a few days.

SnowsFalling · 29/12/2023 20:38

What are you classing as debt? Mortgage? Car? £500 on the credit card?
Or payday drags you out of the overdraft for a day, and you still can't buy food or petrol for the week before payday, as credit us maxed out?

I think I'd want to know I could clear the cost of the holiday before I went away (this is what we always do), and set my expectations on that basis. Be that 4 nights camping or 2 weeks in Disney.

GOODCAT · 29/12/2023 20:46

No, but I would avoid debt like anything. How much will the extra interest be and how long will it take to pay it back? What will you have to give up in future to have the holiday?

EvesamtsirhC · 29/12/2023 20:48

Depends on the type of debt I think. For example we are paying off a loan for getting a new roof, monthly payments over several years. But we've booked and paid for a holiday abroad. First holiday in 7 years.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 29/12/2023 20:56

If you can afford it and pay it off either on a debit card or loan then go for it. If it’s an expensive holiday though which means you get further in debt then don’t do it.

Could you book it on a 0% credit card or transfer some/all debt to a 0% credit card?

supadupapupascupa · 30/12/2023 00:20

No.

Holidays are luxuries, Debt is for necessities only

Pigeonqueen · 30/12/2023 00:24

Yes.

mrsbyers · 30/12/2023 00:28

I wouldn’t if it was increasing the debt , if you can afford it by saving outside of making debt repayment plans fair enough but personally going on a holiday that you then have to come back to work to pay off defeats any pleasure

Scarletttulips · 30/12/2023 00:28

No.

Holidays cost way more that the initial flight/hotel and end up being expensive. New clothes, drinks, taxi, etc

Also depends on the debt or even the opportunity… las holiday with a grand parent or a piss up with mates.

mollyfolk · 30/12/2023 00:31

I totally would if the debt was a regular payment I could afford. Holidays are important. If things were tight I would do it on the cheap.

HamBone · 30/12/2023 00:42

If it was low interest and going on holiday wouldn’t affect the repayments. I probably would. If I owed a relative or friend money though, I would pay them back before considering a holiday.

DH will be 60 by the time he’s paid off his student loans (he did a graduate degree) but we’re not forgetting holidays until then! He pays off a set amount every month.

Weenurse · 30/12/2023 00:43

No, I would pay down my debt

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 30/12/2023 01:02

I say yes in my own situation but I appreciate everyone's is different.

I am a single parent to 2 teen DCs. I have about 5k on a 0% credit card which I make regular payments to.

I live frugally. I don't buy myself clothes often , go out much or have a decent car. However I do feel that the years that my DCs will want for us to go away as a family are now very limited.

I need countless things in my house replacing (18 year old sofa etc) and things that need fixing but I don't place too much importance on material goods. I don't like being in debt either - but I would rather we all had a great final holiday or 2 together somewhere special that we will all remember (even if it means adding to the credit card bill temporarily) than choosing to not do things that will bring us all good experiences and memories.

FrostieBoabby · 30/12/2023 01:07

I think it depends if your debts are manageable and you aren't losing sleep over them then why not enjoy life a bit.

I'm in debt officially as I'm paying off a mobile contract and have a car loan but can afford a couple big holidays each year as my income more than covers my bills.

If you're skint though and worrying about what you owe it's probably better to skip a holiday until your finances are back on track.

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