Although camping is a cheaper option what I am finding discouraging is the dreadful weather and am questioning how many times I am going to attempt it! Last year was a wash out and so far we have had lots of rain this year. I dont go out of my way for the heat but I do love a stretch of sunshine!
------------- If life gives you lemons throw them at someone :)
The credit crunch doesn't necessarily refer to anyone's own particular circumstances- rather to the effects of credit becoming more difficult to get globally.
All credit to people who manage without debt though. There will be a lot more people put off debt for life in the next few years.
Short-term debt may be okay to bring forward a major purchase if the payments can be afforded. In fact short-term debt may be preferable to remortgaging (I hate the phrase equity release. You aren't releasing anything. You are taking on more debt.) Despite paying lower rates of interest, paying back a car over 25 years is not a good idea.
we camp every year come hail, rain or shine ,and yes like everyone else price hikes are governing where we go .The sad thing is we wanted to campp nearer home this year in Scotland ,but with some site fees determined by the square footage of your tent (one worked out at £28 anight) we decided to look further afield .As to fuel our car gives a nice 68 mpg on diesel so even though it hurts to fill up we can go a bit further on a tank than some .Heading south for the hols in four weeks, just cannot wait.
------------- love is:walking to the toilet block arm in arm
fuel costs are a major issue in rural scotland. We have oil fired heating, cost has gone from 9p litre in 1998 to 63p litre today. ie increase in cost to £1500 per year, (and I am frugal (and cold!). we have multi fuel stove as well, neighbours use twice the oil we do. petrol costs hit us hard as well. Luckily we only need to travel to office couple of times a week, round trip 110 miles for hubby, 70 for me. very little work locally. My son takes bus 7 miles to work and pays 2.90 each way! Fuel costs are bigger than our mortgage, BUT we moved for location and cheaper house prices, so our mortgage is half what it would be in England.
It is interesting to hear that many people further south are also affected.
Major question - will increasing fuel prices force overall reduction in energy consumption?
Annie
ps have fun in orkney james, we are heading that way soon.
toddytent, we found prices in fife very high, further north or west cheaper.
------------- Annie :)
Its better to regret things you've done than things you have never tried
Major question - will increasing fuel prices force overall reduction in energy consumption?
Annie
I think it will for some, but others will still turn the thermostat up. I'm lucky we bought a new house last year so it is well insultated, but even I'm switching heating off earlier, following the OH around turning off lights etc. I have also managed to increase the average mpg on my car from approx 50 to 63 with careful driving. When you live in a rural location mpg can be crucial.
well i started of down the road of commonsense sold my 20 year old vw camper which on a good day would return 18mpgand was costing £30.a week just to go to work and back, bought a 1.2 fiat with the intention to tow a trailer with the camping gear in.Then i decided to buy a dandy as the punto would tow this,we booked a weekend away at the end of march after which we went away every weekend,now the dandy is a joy to use but at 20 years old it needs tlc and erecting and folding every weekend didn't seem a good idea so we bought a caravan to leave in storage on the site and use there.
i think we did complete our objective though because we know have a car that can return 45-50mpg a dandy that it can tow for holidays away, a caravan we use most
weekends on a seasonal pitch on a site in the countryside with wildlife and a fishing pond only 9miles from home so we can even go on our electric bikes.
some people use camping to explore the country we live in, they will need to travel no matter what the cost, but if like me you live in a town and use camping to relax in the countryside remember that campsite 15 miles away could have the same type of field and wildlife as the one 150miles away.
mike
------------- they said it couldnt be done so i left it and went camping
a bad days camping is better than a good day at work
Quote: Originally posted by mike.wilkinson on 01/6/2008
but if like me you live in a town and use camping to relax in the countryside remember that campsite 15 miles away could have the same type of field and wildlife as the one 150miles away.
That's a really good point, it surprises me how far some people travel for a weekend trip. Probably it's because I'm too lazy but our favourite weekend site is 20 miles from home!
Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 01/6/2008
Quote: Originally posted by mike.wilkinson on 01/6/2008
but if like me you live in a town and use camping to relax in the countryside remember that campsite 15 miles away could have the same type of field and wildlife as the one 150miles away.
That's a really good point, it surprises me how far some people travel for a weekend trip. Probably it's because I'm too lazy but our favourite weekend site is 20 miles from home!
But thqts no good for us as we dont go camping to stay on the site ;)
We go to visit and hike in new places we have never seen before
Quote: remember that campsite 15 miles away could have the same type of field and wildlife as the one 150miles away.<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>mike
very good point. I have been training for a long distance walk and have walked several times a week (about 10 miles) on local roads within easy travelling distance of home and found so much to enjoy and admire that I never knew was there. maybe this is the way forward, back 200 years to the time when most people didnt travel further than 10 miles from home!
------------- Annie :)
Its better to regret things you've done than things you have never tried
Quote: Originally posted by PigletandTigger on 01/6/2008
Quote: Originally posted by mike.wilkinson on 01/6/2008 but if like me you live in a town and use camping to relax in the countryside remember that campsite 15 miles away could have the same type of field and wildlife as the one 150miles away.
That's a really good point, it surprises me how far some people travel for a weekend trip. Probably it's because I'm too lazy but our favourite weekend site is 20 miles from home!
But thqts no good for us as we dont go camping to stay on the site ;)
We go to visit and hike in new places we have never seen before
I think I could spend the next 5 years visiting places within a 30 mile radius of home and seeing things I haven't seen before. We've taken to buying the local OS Pathfinder maps, it amazes me how much I don't know about the area and how much I haven't seen. We have to travel for motorsport for lots of weekends over the season so I guess for us the last thing we want to do is travel for hours on a relaxing weekend.
We have not been abroad for the last 5 years due to having 4 kids its just far too expensive and if i am honest, i have not really missed it, I love my camping! Things are tight as usual this year too so we are going to Angelsey(100 miles away) for our main holidays this year. We are going 11th june for 12 nights come rain or shine. Its £14.50 per night for all of us and we plan on spending no more than £50 per day! No theme parks or the likes as we have the dog with us but i will make sure the kids have a great time! I would have loved to gone to Devon or somewhere to somewhere like Cofton Farm but the site is twice the price and the petrol will cripple us. We will have a brilliant time no matter where it is as we are all together and stress free and won't be in debt when we get home. Happy holidays everyone!
------------- Always Kate unless Jay is looking over my shoulder :) x
We are heading down to Cornwall in 3 weeks time, I would never have thought the fuel prices were going to rise as much as they have and next year there is no way I will be leaving Scotland. I reckon it will cost around £200 there and back again!!! If I wasn't booked and paid for I would be having second thoughts.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Credt crunch
