Group holidays and money: who really pays?

Like jings, we are the Holiday Fairies. To us, it would feel really mean to have lovely holidays while our DCs have none. Sadly our own parents never felt the same way! However now that DD has two DCs we just have long weekends with them, and all they pay for is their travel. We often rent houses, so don't mind them tagging along as it means we get more and better accommodation for the money. They do buy in a reasonable amount of the food, but all meals out are on us. Tesco vouchers come in very handy for meals and for days out at such times, also when we visit DS at uni for weekends away.

The past few years I have been on holiday in France with my family in their touring caravan. I paid for every second fuel fill-up. They wouldn't let me pay for a share of the pitch because we weren't paying per capita. And the ferry was paid per car. I put cash in the kitty for food and paid my share for drinks at the bar - not to mention ice cream for the GC. Not going this year as they are camping under canvas. Not my thing nowadays!

We often used to go on holiday with our parents and usually shared the cost and chores but I'm fairly sure we came out ahead in financial terms.We have often gone on holiday with our DS and their families, not all together though. We've paid for accommodation and they've paid their own travel costs and car hire, if any. Then day-to-day expenses are shared. Sometimes we've paid for the lot and been reimbursed. More or less. Who's counting? Good point, jingl!

One year I took two young nephews- they were given £1 each for pocket money!

I would not dream of it in the future because I know who would end up paying for the lot.

I went on holiday one year with a girlfriend and that was a disaster. One day she would pay for everything, the next day I would. That did not work out because on her day for paying we had the cheapest meals available and I was lucky if I was allowed a glass of wine. On my day, it seemed to be an a la carte menu and a bottle of wine.

Never again, I will stay at home.

For several years we went on holiday with two other families, all with male children. It was great for the mums, we could go off and do things, while all the males went sailing, climbing, playing sport etc.

The accommodation was split 3 ways. Each family had their own car. The food money was organised on an even split of all adults and children. We kept it in a separate purse. A main shop was done at the beginning of the holiday, and any thing after that was bought by those going near a shop, with the money in the purse. The first adults back after a day out started dinner.

Alcohol was financed separately, under a system known to the Dads!

Any money left in the purse financed a take away on the last night.

We never fell out, are still all really good friends, as are our grown up children.

The adults still sometimes go on holiday together.

x

We used to take DM with us every year after she was widowed. She would pay half the accommodation and the petrol. We always did self catering when DC were young. DM and I would both collect essentials over a few weeks to take i.e. T-bags, cereal. Once there we shared expenses. For the last few years that she was able to come she paid for DH, her and I to go to Warner's Hotels each year. Her money, her choice

We used to take the mil and DM on holiday and guess who paid for the lot? We now take DGCs or rent a holiday house. Guess who pays..... They do buy food and wine and book the children into dangerous expensive pastimes.I am waiting for the day when they say we've booked this luxury place with air con on this beautiful Greek island. Do come with us,no babysitting no cooking.

I usually insist on being escorted by take either/both DD/DS.

Guess who pays for the sodding lot?

It's important for you to pay for flights/hotels in your own name. If they book and you refund the money to them, it will look like gifts to them in the final reckoning the future if you pop your clogs too soon and they have to declare gifts from you for IH tax purposes.