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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

my teenage DS is going to Magaluf - how much spending money

20 replies

mortil2 · 20/04/2015 13:30

My 18 year old DS is going to Magaluf with a group of friends ALONE (help)
They are all finishing their A-levels later this year and they want to get away.

So my question is quite simply, how much money should he need for 5 days? They are staying in a holel

OP posts:
Model5 · 20/04/2015 13:43

I went to Magaluf as an 18yo girl and spent almost nothing Blush

Is he HB in the hotel? If so, the spending money is just for drinks, so basically as much as he can save/wants to blow.

Blazing88 · 20/04/2015 13:47

Well..he's 18..shouldn't he be figuring this out?! (and taking money he's earned himself)

Seriously. No way would my mum have subbed a piss up type holiday at 18! He does have a job??

Original poster
mortil2 · 20/04/2015 13:49

Thanks model The hotel is breakfast only. It may be a little bit different for boys spending wise ...

OP posts:
Original poster
mortil2 · 20/04/2015 13:52

blazing I didn't say anywhere that I was funding it. It was a question he asked me and I said I wasn't sure

OP posts:
TheGirlFromIpanema · 20/04/2015 13:53

Doesn't matter howmuch money you give him. He will spend it all on the first day/night and be skint for the rest of the holiday.

Tis true fact that this happens in 99.9999% of first hols abroad Grin

Hoplikeabunny · 20/04/2015 13:54

Sorry, but where does the OP say that she's subbing this?! She's just asking a question! Most 18 year olds have never been away on their own for a week before so why would he know how much to take? She's asking for advice on his behalf! Maybe she is paying for the whole thing, maybe she isn't- that's not the issue here is it?!

Mumteadumpty · 20/04/2015 15:01

You may have better information if you post in Chat or Travel.

Original poster
mortil2 · 20/04/2015 15:29

Thanks mum I will do that

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 20/04/2015 15:32

DS1 went to Malia 2 years ago. He took around £650 for 7 nights IIRC. I think he brought a bit back. He's very good with money, most of his mates were messaging home for me by day 3 or 4.

TheFairyCaravan · 20/04/2015 15:33

*more not me. Bloody autocorrect!

Original poster
mortil2 · 20/04/2015 15:57

Wow fairy that's a lot. Better tell him to get a second job

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 20/04/2015 16:12

They were in an apartment mortil so had to buy food too.

I think they waste horrendous amounts of money on these holidays but it's all about the memories, apparently. DS2(18) isn't going on one he's too tight. He checks his bank account and savings account everyday to see if he's earned any interest!Grin If I was paying he'd go of course!

GraysAnalogy · 20/04/2015 16:14

My brother managed to spend £300 despite tearing his tendons on the second day and being confined to crutches.

Make sure he has insurance (sure you will anyway but they're backward for forgetting), my brother kissed me when he came back because I nagged him about it

specialsubject · 20/04/2015 16:15

you don't take physical cash on holiday any more, it is 2015. With the exception of the equivalent of £50-odd as a 'float', you draw out what you need from ATMs as you go.

there's nothing to do in Magaluf except fry, swill and throw up, and only one of those costs. Apparently he will now need to pay for boat trips as there is a sort-of cut down on the street pub crawls. This will probably cause a few drownings, I'm afraid.

remind him to buy his travel insurance and that it doesn't pay out if he is drunk or drugged. Oh, and to use condoms and not get tattoos.

TheFairyCaravan · 20/04/2015 16:29

We take cash on holiday. I'm not paying to use my debit card or the ATM each time I need money.

TerryTheGreenHorse · 20/04/2015 16:34

My mum used to make me take travellers cheques.

I always use the ATM abroad I get nervous about carrying a wodge of cash around.

SecretSquirrels · 20/04/2015 16:50

DS1 went to Kavos last year and spent £300. They were S/C and just ate cheaply £275 went on booze.

He went with three friends and they all paid their own way ( I offered to subsidise a civilised UK holiday but not a lads trip.)
One thing they forgot was to arrange travel to the UK airport. In the end I took them and they all contributed to petrol.

He found it to be an experience to be endured and not repeated Grin.

specialsubject · 20/04/2015 19:09

you pay exchange costs whatever you do, whether you get all your euros in the UK or use your debit card. It is just a matter of minimising the fees which can be done without having lots of notes.

taking a load of cash probably means it isn't insured. Also a bad idea for someone who is going to spend the entire holiday unconscious; the crime rate in Magaluf is high because there are a lot of soft targets.

still, most return unscathed.

mumeeee · 21/04/2015 11:45

We never take cash on holiday. Neither DH or I like carrying a load of cash around. We have found it better to just use the ATMs when we are in the country. Actually find that it's often cheaper to do this even with the cost of using our cards.

fluffapuss · 27/04/2015 23:43

Hello

Before leaving UK suggest

Buy travel insurance

Get E111 card (healthcare)

Turn off data roaming on mobile phone (stops huge phone/data bills)

£100 a day - dont have to spend it all

A source of emergency money

In date passport (6 months on it)

Driving license

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