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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