Dh seldom buys clothes at home these days and we don't really bother buying one another much (if anything) for birthdays and Christmas, but we do budget for a blow-out on holiday. Whenever we plan any major purchases, we do lots of research into whether we can buy it cheaper in the US. If there's a significant saving to be made and we can wait, we do.
In August, our first stop was Edwin Watts, and we quickly despatched $1800, but it was all stuff we'd been planning to buy and was less than we'd budgeted for (and
considerably cheaper than we'd have paid at home).
We both love Tommy Bahama, although I didn't buy anything there this trip (unless tea towels count
). Even Matt was more restrained there than usual. I did acquire a pair of Jimmy Choos, though. They were half price, so it would have been churlish not to
I always treat myself to some perfume and make-up. It's hard to get hold of Laura Mercier products in the UK (at least it is where I live), so I usually get a few staples. On the whole, though, I like to try new products and fragrances. Every few years we both tend to buy new sunglasses. In fact, I think I may be due a pair next trip
.
Eating at nice restaurants is a huge part of the holiday for us and, as Matt says, we probably spend as much on food as we do on stuff we get to bring home.
We haven't taken our girls with us since 2004 (when they were 19 and 17), so holidays are relatively cheap affairs for us now. That trip (when we also took and paid for elder dd's boyfriend) cost us £15,000. 5 x adult PE fares, Disney and Universal passes for us all, Discovery Cove for the "kids", 5 adults to feed at every meal, treats for us all (I seem to remember Abercrombie & Fitch and Lucky Brand Jeans featuring heavily on the kids' shopping itinerary)...
The only thing which didn't cost any extra was the villa accommodation as we'd have booked the same one if it had been just the two of us.
These days we don't buy nearly as many souvenirs - all the merchandise seems so samey - but in the scheme of things, that's probably just a drop in the ocean.
So to sum up, we spend a lot on our trips,
but holidays are our big extravagance. When I was younger, they didn't interest me at all and I'd far rather have tangible things. These days, the house is in dire need of some improvements, but we can't bring ourselves to allocate the funds where they're needed. Hey-ho.
On disney I dont mind spending £210 on a room for the night but also have paid £35 a night, in dvc so even cheaper.Food again anything foom taco bell $20 to a nice resturant $200.As long as you are haveing fun whats the cost.Lukily we have no mortgage so spare mon into holiday fund.The kids will not rember you saving up for a nice new car but they will always rember,casterway cay,christmas at disney,seeing how small the castle is at california,wining Dream FP of everest,every CM at vero knowing your childs name,eating at cindes and getting pixdust of fairy godmother and holding it all day i could go on but you get the gist
heart wrenching.
