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After months of rain, cold, and grey skies, the Irish summer holiday feels like a well-earned escape. Whether it’s Spain, the Wild Atlantic Way, or a few beach weekends, one thing can ruin the fun fast: money mistakes. It’s easy to overspend, but with planning, you can avoid a financial hangover.
Let’s be honest, it’s far too easy to get carried away. But with planning, you can enjoy your break without the financial hangover afterwards. Here are some common financial mistakes to avoid before you zip up your suitcase.
Not Setting a Budget (and Sticking to It)
With so many summer expenses — like home renovations, gardening, and Summer Camp for kids — it can be hard to put money aside for a holiday. That’s why it’s important to list all your usual summer costs before planning your getaway.
It might sound obvious, but lots of us skip this step. We get caught up in the holiday buzz and think, “Sure look, it’s only once a year.” But without a clear budget, it’s surprisingly easy to overspend — especially when you’re tapping the card abroad without keeping track.
Make sure to include everything: flights, accommodation, meals, activities, travel insurance, and a bit of “treat yourself” money for good measure.
Forgetting About the ‘Home’ Expenses
While you’re off enjoying cocktails and sunshine, your usual bills don’t press pause. Think of your mortgage, direct debits, or back-to-school expenses — make sure you’ve accounted for these in your holiday budgeting.
You don’t want to come home to an empty bank account just because the electricity bill came out while you were off enjoying the sun.
Not Being Flexible with Your Destination
Not being flexible with your destination could mean missing out on serious savings. A recent survey found that 39% of Irish people choose cheaper destinations due to the rising cost of living, with 38% opting for staycations to cut costs.
Instead of fixating on one location, try using “cheap flights anywhere” tools on travel sites—you could stumble upon a hidden gem that’s just as lovely but far more affordable. Many underrated destinations offer all the charm, food, and fun of their pricier counterparts without the financial stress.
Not Using Price Comparison Sites & Incognito Mode
When you’re hunting for flights and hotels, always use comparison sites like Skyscanner or Google Flights. A quick insider tip for you: search in incognito mode. Some websites bump up prices if they spot you’ve been looking repeatedly. Incognito keeps your search history private and your prices lower!
Also, you can set up price alerts, which will notify you when prices drop.
Ignoring Off-Peak & Mid-Week Flights
If your dates are flexible, avoid weekends. Mid-week flights tend to be cheaper. And travelling in the shoulder season (before or after peak months) can save you hundreds.
Mid-Week Flights: Flying on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Saturdays can save you up to 17% on domestic flights and 15% on international trips compared to peak days like Sundays.
Early Morning or Late-Night Departures: Choosing flights at less popular times of the day, such as early morning or late at night, often results in lower fares due to decreased demand.
Avoiding Peak Travel Days: Steering clear of Fridays and Sundays, which are typically more expensive due to higher demand, can lead to significant savings.
Flying Before or After Peak Months: Travelling just before or right after the school holidays—like late May or early September instead of July and August—can save you hundreds. For Irish families, flying the week before schools finish up in June or once they return in early September means far cheaper flights and accommodation, especially to popular European destinations like Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
Recent research supports that choosing travel dates outside peak school holidays can slash airfares by up to 30%.
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Relying Too Much on Credit Cards
It’s tempting to swipe away and tell yourself you’ll deal with it when you’re home. But high-interest charges can turn your holiday purchases into long-term debt. If you do use a credit card, try to pay it off as quickly as possible to avoid those nasty surprises when the statement lands.
Not Packing Smart
Overpacking can cost you, many travellers end up paying unexpected fees for overweight luggage or find themselves shelling out for overpriced essentials abroad. If you’ve ever paid those surprise fees at the airport, you know how quickly it adds up. Try to bring only the essentials for your trip based on how long you’ll be away—there’s no need to pack your entire wardrobe for a weekend.
And if you’re coming back from your holidays with more souvenirs than expected and you know your bag is going to tip the scales, don’t leave it to luck. Buy an extra baggage allowance in advance through your airline. Hoping the check-in staff won’t notice usually ends with you paying much more at the boarding gate—and it’s a costly and frustrating way to end an otherwise great trip.
Overlooking Hidden Holiday Costs
It’s easy to focus on flights and accommodation and forget about the extras that quietly add up—like airport parking, baggage fees, tourist taxes at hotels, or roaming charges if you don’t choose the right mobile plan.
These overlooked costs can quickly blow your budget if you’re not paying attention. The smart move? Be thorough. Include all the possible expenses in your planning, and aim not just to stick to your budget.
Spending less than expected leaves you with a little surplus you can put towards something else, like a nice meal out or even a second mini getaway.
Not Planning Currency Exchange
Buying any foreign currency at the airport? That’s a costly last-minute move. Airport exchange rates are usually terrible, meaning you’ll get far less for your money.
If you’re heading abroad from Ireland, a bit of planning can go a long way. Shop around before you go, and consider ordering your currency online for collection—it’s often cheaper and way less stressful. Or check if your bank offers competitive exchange rates or low-fee ATM withdrawals abroad—some digital banks and travel cards give you much better value than airport kiosks.
Additionally, paying with a debit card instead of withdrawing cash while travelling abroad can be more convenient and potentially cheaper.
Ignoring Travel Insurance
“I’ll chance it.” Famous last words. Travel insurance is one of those things you hope you never need, but if you do, you’ll be so grateful. Lost luggage, cancelled flights, medical emergencies — they all could happen.
Make sure your policy covers everything you need, especially if you’re heading outside the EU, where your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card won’t save you.
If you have Irish private health insurance, you may be covered for certain medical emergencies while abroad. However, the level of cover depends on your provider and the specific plan you’re on — some offer limited benefits, while others include more comprehensive emergency support.
Be smart with your money. Get a personalised quote today!
Get a Financial Planning Quote
At the end of the day, holidays are about making memories — not stressing over money. With a bit of forward-thinking and a few smart decisions, you can head off knowing you won’t be wincing at your bank balance when you get back.
Financial planning helps you stay organised and in control during key moments in life — whether you’re planning your wedding, expecting a baby, buying your first home, protecting your family, or preparing for retirement. At LowQuotes, we’re here to support you through every stage of your financial journey, helping you make informed choices that strengthen your own and your family’s financial well-being. Whatever your goals are, we’re here to help you reach them with confidence.
We provide various financial services, such as mortgages, serious illness cover, financial planning, pensions, life insurance, health insurance, and savings & investments.
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All our content has been written or overseen by a qualified financial advisor. However, you should always seek individual financial advice for your unique circumstances.
