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Original poster

I've done something completely stupid, please help

28 replies

stupid81 · 18/04/2008 19:47

I can't believe what I've done today.

I've gone and booked a holiday to Florida with no way of paying for it.

Basically I have wanted to take the kids for years and DH being the miserable sod he is has always refused...sayings its expensive, he doesn't like americans, he doesn't like theme parks etc etc and it has always really annoyed me because I felt that the kids were missing out because he was too miserable to go.

Anyway today I was talking about my wish of going to Florida with a family member who then burst out laughing and said "the only way you'd be able to save up that kind of money is by working the streets!" I was hurt, embarrassed and annoyed by this and it just made me all the more determined to go...add that to a general feeling of depression I have lately and I basically just walked straight into a travel agents afterwards and booked a 2 week holiday to Florida for next year.. I just told myself we'd find the money "somehow".

So I got home, told my husband who didn't kick off like I expected him to but just said "ok, you want to go, you work out how we're going to pay for it" so I went on the PC to work it out really excited and he's right...unless we litrally save up every penny we have from now until then we'll never make it.

I feel so stupid, thing is I havn't put ANY money down yet, I'm supposed to be paying the deposit of £100 tomorow but I have signed a form saying I agree to the price and will be paying for it etc and they have taken a swipe of my card as "confirmation" or something.

What do I do? should I just go all out to save up for it since we've wanted to go for so long or beg the travel agents to cancel and never show my face in there again?

Do I have a legal leg to stand on since I've not yet exchanged any money?

OP posts:
CarGirl · 18/04/2008 19:49

I think most contracts have a cooling off periods perhaps it also applies to holidays?

CountessDracula · 18/04/2008 19:49

If you haven't paid the deposit I think you are fine

reikizen · 18/04/2008 19:49

Sorry, no advice but YIKES! Good luck hon.

oranges · 18/04/2008 19:49

what time was it done? If the tickets have not been issued yet, you could cancel, but if not, you may still be able to cancel but would have to pay the cancellation fee.

2sugars · 18/04/2008 19:51

Yes - think something up - anything - and cancel. Then start saving like the clappers. Did you sign anything? Although as has been said, I think you're entitled to a cooling off period.

posieflump · 18/04/2008 19:56

how much is it?
have you thought of car boot sales, ebay for selling old clothes?

oranges · 18/04/2008 19:58

not sure there is a cooling off period, if you've signed a contract, and it was done in their offices rather than a phone or online... but i hope i'm wrong!

CarGirl · 18/04/2008 20:04

I think you will be able to cancel but you may have to pay a cancellation fee, you must have a copy of what you've signed?

girlfrommars · 18/04/2008 20:08

What company was it?

Original poster
stupid81 · 18/04/2008 20:17

Company was First Choice. Just looked at the thing I signed and its said that if I cancel I'll be liable to pay the full deposit (£800).

I can't throw that much money away, I'll have to get saving.

If you have any money making ideas, please throw them my way!

OP posts:
CarGirl · 18/04/2008 20:18

see if you can change the dates to further into the future therefore giving you longer to save up? CAn you do anything with your mortgage to redce payments?

Original poster
stupid81 · 18/04/2008 20:21

They're already as far as they can be (end of next year). Full deposit has to be paid by middle of June...thing is, I don't mind being totally skint for a couple of months whilst paying off the deposit but the thought of scrimping every penny for anothe year and a half is a bit worrying...I mean, what about christmas? birthdays? the summer holidays?

We can do it and I suppose most people have to make loads of sacrifices to go on a big holiday, I just didn't realise how hard it would be for us if I really did book it.

We rent cargirl

OP posts:
sparkleymummy · 18/04/2008 20:24

Not something I'd usually recommend but in the circumstances could you take a mortgage payment holiday for a month. Lots of mortgage providers let you. It means that it would take you a month onger to pay off your mortgage but in the meantime you have a month's mortgage payment to play with (quite literally!).

sparkleymummy · 18/04/2008 20:26

Oh I was too slow - sorry didn't realise you rent

CarGirl · 18/04/2008 20:27

Do you work, can you do some babysitting work or something just to find some extra money to put towards it. Also how old are your dc, are they old enough to understand that they are going on the holiday of a lifetime so are not going to get birthday & christmas presents etc? Are their any other adults that would go with you (and pay for themselves) if it would reduce the cost per person IYSWIM

davidtennantsmistress · 18/04/2008 20:27

do you have anything for ebay etc?

CarGirl · 18/04/2008 20:28

got to moneysavingexpert.com for excellend budgetting advice. Try and change your mindset about it and see it as an 18 months experiment/challenge to live frugally!

sparkleymummy · 18/04/2008 20:28

Go in and cry.

Seriously - the manager will have some sort of discretion and if he/she feels sorry enough for you, will probably be able to cancel it for you

2sugars · 18/04/2008 20:30

Can you try CA? How can anyone know what's going to happen in 18month's time? It's such a long way off - how CAN they demand that money by then, if at all.

We can't even think about summer hols until a week before we go ....

2sugars · 18/04/2008 20:32

Which I suppose is why we either end up in crapola places or very expensive ones

FloridaKbear · 18/04/2008 20:33

How much is it and how many weeks until you go? Would £20 a week be ridiculous to put by if you went without something like cigs, wine, dvds or something? (Bit of a crazy thing to do without discussing it with your DH you mad thing - he seemed to take it rather well!)

We have both been working overtime since Christmas to pay for our trip, it's not easy.

CarGirl · 18/04/2008 20:33

Also would grandparent pay for passports as gifts/or give spending money for birthdays etc?

ScaryHairy · 18/04/2008 20:33

I agree with Sparkleymummy.

I am sure that people cancel holidays without losing that much money.

Actually I am pretty shocked about how much it is and wonder whether that contract would be enforceable (or whether the £800 payment in fact amounts to a "penalty", which is not enforceable under UK law). Are there any contract lawyers about this evening? Failing that, please try Citizens Advice on monday - they might have something useful to tell you.

WendyWeber · 18/04/2008 20:39

With cottages4you the maximum deposit is £490 and if you change your mind, even the next day, you are liable for the lot. It's not a penalty, it's standard T&C.

s81, you could try going back in tomorrow and pleading with them - if they won't take pity you'll have to go ahead - I bet you can do it (what a great thing to be saving for!) but please get some cancellation insurance right now!

LaComtesse · 18/04/2008 20:47

Can you get some work in the meantime to put towards it? child benefits etc? I'm sure you coud find the money or failing that, try to get a rich friend ot buy the holiday from you