How do you justify holiday costs?
Discussion
I'm interested in how PHer's justify their holiday costs.
I've been looking at some cruises and overseas trips and they're into the thousand of pounds. I've always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands, but would need to do it properly when a 2 week holiday is the price of a brand new everyday type car.
I've been self employed the last 10 years and outside of Goodwood FoS and Revivals, a few days in a B&B for family visits or when work is light haven't had a proper abroad type holiday since the 1980s - but do I really need one? I play golf, go to the gym, do flower arranging and art classes, meet friends in the pub for lunch every week. There's documentaries on nearly everywhere in the world to watch on TV and then there's the 'carbon footprint'.
I'm currently looking at a few days in Jersey over Easter and then a few days later visit Amsterdam to see the tulips.
OR, I could stay at home and redecorate the house and plant some tulip bulbs in the garden.
Any thoughts?
I've been looking at some cruises and overseas trips and they're into the thousand of pounds. I've always wanted to visit the Galapagos Islands, but would need to do it properly when a 2 week holiday is the price of a brand new everyday type car.
I've been self employed the last 10 years and outside of Goodwood FoS and Revivals, a few days in a B&B for family visits or when work is light haven't had a proper abroad type holiday since the 1980s - but do I really need one? I play golf, go to the gym, do flower arranging and art classes, meet friends in the pub for lunch every week. There's documentaries on nearly everywhere in the world to watch on TV and then there's the 'carbon footprint'.
I'm currently looking at a few days in Jersey over Easter and then a few days later visit Amsterdam to see the tulips.
OR, I could stay at home and redecorate the house and plant some tulip bulbs in the garden.
Any thoughts?
Once in a lifetime experience, do it.
Seeing things on TV never really gives you the a true feel for somewhere, how big or small things actually are, smells, interaction with other people. Yes it is expensive, when I looked into going it was around £8k pp for 10 days.
Sounds like you have a low carbon footprint anyway, so don't let that bother you.
Seeing things on TV never really gives you the a true feel for somewhere, how big or small things actually are, smells, interaction with other people. Yes it is expensive, when I looked into going it was around £8k pp for 10 days.
Sounds like you have a low carbon footprint anyway, so don't let that bother you.
ks. I was Napoleon in an earlier life I’ll have you know...We (well the wife does it) plan and (I) pay for everything ourselves seperately so save a fortune.
We have 2 weeks in Peru coming up in April and it will be full on, to get a travel agent type to do it all for us would be circa £8k, doing it ourselves will be no more than £4k all in, still alot of money but half the price!
We have 2 weeks in Peru coming up in April and it will be full on, to get a travel agent type to do it all for us would be circa £8k, doing it ourselves will be no more than £4k all in, still alot of money but half the price!
Gameface said:
I bought a villa.
Villa has costs and you're then restricted to holidaying there, unless you rent it out.I suppose you could buy a motorhome as well for some of the cruise prices -but then you'd still have to pay petrol costs and overnight fees. Unless you could wild camp...without being burgled
The UK is great for staycations, lots of B&Bs and loads of historic places to visit. London, easy to get to by train and then loads of free museums and attractions.
HTP99 said:
We (well the wife does it) plan and (I) pay for everything ourselves seperately so save a fortune.
We have 2 weeks in Peru coming up in April and it will be full on, to get a travel agent type to do it all for us would be circa £8k, doing it ourselves will be no more than £4k all in, still alot of money but half the price!
Have a great time We have 2 weeks in Peru coming up in April and it will be full on, to get a travel agent type to do it all for us would be circa £8k, doing it ourselves will be no more than £4k all in, still alot of money but half the price!
We go to South Africa every Christmas. I cannot imagine not getting some sun in the middle of a dingy grey damp winter.
The first time was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime, a big chunk of cash for a family of 6, now we are addicted and do it every year.
Safari in Africa is awe inspiring, then Cape Town or Durban for a few days by the sea. The weather, the food, wine, the people all fantastic.
The justification is simple. You have one life - it is not a rehearsal.
The first time was supposed to be a holiday of a lifetime, a big chunk of cash for a family of 6, now we are addicted and do it every year.
Safari in Africa is awe inspiring, then Cape Town or Durban for a few days by the sea. The weather, the food, wine, the people all fantastic.
The justification is simple. You have one life - it is not a rehearsal.
Depends how you do it I guess, using travel agents or any kind of middle man will add a subtantial %age. Do it yourself and it will be much cheaper, whether you need to justify it or not is really your call. I echo some of the above, you only live once, you can't take it with you etc etc
Gary C said:
What a really odd question
Balance available cash against other capital projects, work out budget, look at where we want to go against budget, book, enjoy
Its not odd to me. Someone mentioned a trip costing 8k a few posts up. Just dont see myself ever doing that. Id think about it then decide that Id rather have a motorbike than a 10 day trip or something. So I hardly ever go anywhere as it feels like a waste of money as I cant justify it to myself.Balance available cash against other capital projects, work out budget, look at where we want to go against budget, book, enjoy
I go to work to earn money to do things I enjoy, I enjoy travelling so a significant chunk of my money gets used for that. We don’t budget for things, we just book holidays for every period of annual leave we have and then what’s left gets spent elsewhere. I can’t imagine having to spend a full 52 weeks a year on this drab island as civilised and sensible as it is.
If you don’t particularly have a wanderlust then I can completely understand your aversion to the expense though. Horses for courses.
If you don’t particularly have a wanderlust then I can completely understand your aversion to the expense though. Horses for courses.
PulsatingStar said:
Gary C said:
What a really odd question
Balance available cash against other capital projects, work out budget, look at where we want to go against budget, book, enjoy
Its not odd to me. Someone mentioned a trip costing 8k a few posts up. Just dont see myself ever doing that. Id think about it then decide that Id rather have a motorbike than a 10 day trip or something. So I hardly ever go anywhere as it feels like a waste of money as I cant justify it to myself.Balance available cash against other capital projects, work out budget, look at where we want to go against budget, book, enjoy
Doesn't everyone do the same. Work out what you want, what you can afford, spend on what you decide. Is their anyother way ?, throw a dice ?
Probably can't justify it, really, my 'normal' is ruined by the places I've been and, more importantly, the people I've been with. I used to toy with the idea of 'experiences not things' but really they're both materialistic, it's just for me I get more pub stories from going to ABC than from buying a new telly, or whatever.
And, like everyone, there are compromises to be made, so I've got a 15 year old golf not a brand new hypercar.
And, like everyone, there are compromises to be made, so I've got a 15 year old golf not a brand new hypercar.
There’s a saying I love. Travel is the only thing you spend money on that makes you richer.
It’s easy to justify, why do you need to justify it? What else are you going to do with the money just sitting there? Retire earlier? To do what? Sit around and not see the world?
I love to travel, I like to go away a few times a year, wether it’s £1000 or £10,000 you can always have a great time, do things you’ve never done before or just lay on the beach and eat food.
Travel is something to be treasured and enjoyed not justified like a ISA.
It’s easy to justify, why do you need to justify it? What else are you going to do with the money just sitting there? Retire earlier? To do what? Sit around and not see the world?
I love to travel, I like to go away a few times a year, wether it’s £1000 or £10,000 you can always have a great time, do things you’ve never done before or just lay on the beach and eat food.
Travel is something to be treasured and enjoyed not justified like a ISA.
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