Don"t Cancel Your Holiday
Are Diesel and fuel prices getting you down? Yes, we all get a little depressed as we see our visit to the local fuel station slowly becoming our most expensive out-lay of the month! In a moment of madness, I bought an SUV..
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a modern euphemism for a large family sized station wagon which is usually fitted with either a 4x4 or differential lock option, if not immediately recognizable as such, there will be a mention somewhere about it's ability to travel off-road or to handle our ever deteriorating roads better than the next one.
So be it, we now have this large vehicle that no one else wants unless the price is dropped by at least 25% of what we paid for it some twelve months ago.
Not only have the operational costs escalated but to compound the problem, monthly re-payments have also escalated..
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this does not auger well as we plan the well earned family summer holiday.
Making some budget suggestions for holidays remains a little subjective, there are unfortunately those of us who will scoff at the idea of even attempting to plan a holiday this year as they might be experiencing financial difficulties so bad that this is a non-starter, on the one side there are those able to ride out the economic storm.
Let's assume you are able to scrape together a budget for the family holiday but that you will need to approach it quite carefully.
oLook close to home.
KZN residents do not have to travel to the Western Cape and vice-versa, for destinations, look nearer home.
This has got to be our budget tip number 1.
Reduce the travel time required and also the operational car costs and minimise fuel usage.
oThe next important expense after travel costs is accommodation.
The best option is to stay with a close family friend or relatives.
No, please, for the sake of these poor hosts, this does not mean a free-loading holiday experience at the expense of your friends, it simply means eliminating the expense of a commercial profit.
In all fairness, you will be required to at the very least supply food and refreshment at least equal to that consumed by you and your family.
oHave you thought of a "house swap" - you have a friend with a house in a suitable area who would like a change? Offer to swap houses or place a small advert to attract a like-minded family.
oConsider camping.
For those of you who have not camped since being put off this years ago, take a new look at the great equipment available now.
Yes, a little investment in this will go a long way.
Camping is a low cost option and will take you to many affordable destinations, I can say without fear of contradiction that you will be pleasantly surprised and that you will probably do this again and again.
Alan Hawkins - CEO
...
a modern euphemism for a large family sized station wagon which is usually fitted with either a 4x4 or differential lock option, if not immediately recognizable as such, there will be a mention somewhere about it's ability to travel off-road or to handle our ever deteriorating roads better than the next one.
So be it, we now have this large vehicle that no one else wants unless the price is dropped by at least 25% of what we paid for it some twelve months ago.
Not only have the operational costs escalated but to compound the problem, monthly re-payments have also escalated..
...
this does not auger well as we plan the well earned family summer holiday.
Making some budget suggestions for holidays remains a little subjective, there are unfortunately those of us who will scoff at the idea of even attempting to plan a holiday this year as they might be experiencing financial difficulties so bad that this is a non-starter, on the one side there are those able to ride out the economic storm.
Let's assume you are able to scrape together a budget for the family holiday but that you will need to approach it quite carefully.
oLook close to home.
KZN residents do not have to travel to the Western Cape and vice-versa, for destinations, look nearer home.
This has got to be our budget tip number 1.
Reduce the travel time required and also the operational car costs and minimise fuel usage.
oThe next important expense after travel costs is accommodation.
The best option is to stay with a close family friend or relatives.
No, please, for the sake of these poor hosts, this does not mean a free-loading holiday experience at the expense of your friends, it simply means eliminating the expense of a commercial profit.
In all fairness, you will be required to at the very least supply food and refreshment at least equal to that consumed by you and your family.
oHave you thought of a "house swap" - you have a friend with a house in a suitable area who would like a change? Offer to swap houses or place a small advert to attract a like-minded family.
oConsider camping.
For those of you who have not camped since being put off this years ago, take a new look at the great equipment available now.
Yes, a little investment in this will go a long way.
Camping is a low cost option and will take you to many affordable destinations, I can say without fear of contradiction that you will be pleasantly surprised and that you will probably do this again and again.
Alan Hawkins - CEO
Source...