SINGLE mum Zoe Nichols’ heart fills with joy as she sees the smile spread across her seven-year-old son Drayson’s face as she says: “We’re going to Disneyland Paris.”
Despite being skint, working two jobs and getting Universal Credit, the beauty trainer and mobile therapist from Bournemouth has figured out how to afford the dream two–night trip to the theme park.
The pair are travelling at the end of November and paying £550 and Zoe hasn’t had to take on any extra work – instead she spread out the payments, paying just £40 a month.
The 39-year-old said: “I’m a single mum – and this year, I am taking my son, Drayson, to Disneyland in Paris for his seventh birthday.
“People assume that must mean extreme budgeting or big sacrifices, but really, it’s just about mindset and planning.
‘My best friend, Laura, and I had both been dreaming about taking our kids, and she found a great deal on loveholidays.com. That gave me the push to finally do it. I decided what I wanted first — then worked out how to pay for it later.”
The offer meant she paid an initial deposit of £60 and then the remaining £490 split over 12 months, to make it more affordable.
She also saved £240 by booking hand luggage only.
Zoe receives around £27,000 per year from her job as well as benefits including Universal Credit.
She tries to be very mindful with her spending but after bills she’s left with very little.
Zoe added: “I’m on Universal Credit, but I have two jobs. I always make sure my essential bills are covered first, and because I work both employed and self-employed, my income varies each month.
“It hasn’t been easy. I sleep on the sofa in my kitchen-lounge so my son can have his own bedroom.
“My rent is £1,025 a month for a one-bedroom flat, plus bills — if I moved to a two-bedroom home, I simply couldn’t afford to travel or enjoy life.
“It’s not always comfortable, but it’s safe, it’s ours, and it allows me to be fully present for every school run, every club, every milestone.
“I’ve explained to my son what house poor means — that sometimes you make sacrifices now to have freedom and joy later. I’m teaching him that if you have a goal, you can get there — you just have to break it down into manageable chunks.
“That’s how we made Disneyland happen — not with luck or luxury, but with planning, priorities, and a lot of heart.”
Zoe has also found easy ways to give her son extra treats and magical experiences.
“By the time we fly at the end of November, the trip will be fully paid off, and I can relax knowing everything is covered.
“Extras like our visit to the Eiffel Tower were gifts from family. My son has plenty of toys, so instead of more “stuff”, I ask relatives for day-out money — for cinema trips or the odd fast-food treat. These experiences mean far more than toys that gather dust.”
“My self-employed job is as a mobile beauty therapist, and I’m lucky to have loyal clients who’ve supported me since I had my salon, before my son was born.
“I also work as an official NovaLash trainer, teaching beginners who are just starting out in the beauty industry.”
How to cut holiday costs
There’s nothing better than packing bags and heading for a trip away. And with a few moves your holiday needn’t break the bank.
Ellis German, head of travel Insurance at Co-op Insurance, gives tips on staying on budget:
Be flexible with dates
This can be one of the biggest ways to save money. Flying mid-week, on a Tuesday or Wednesday, is usually the cheapest. Similarly travelling outside of school holidays or moving your holiday by a few days can cut down on the cost of the trip. You can use online sites such as Skyscanner or Google Flights to spot the days with the lowest fares.
Pick your destination based on cost
If you haven’t got your heart set on one specific place, then check out lesser-known cities in your country of choice or nearby airports. These can often be much cheaper, and you have the opportunity to avoid the crowds and discover a hidden gem.
Compare costs from different departure airports
Think Manchester vs Liverpool or Gatwick vs Stanstead. A short taxi or train ride could end up saving costs off your holiday if flying from one airport works out much cheaper than the other. Do a bit of research and see where works out cheapest, especially on long haul routes.
Check cashback and voucher sites
Sites like TopCashback or Quidco can offer cashback on flights, hotels, and package holidays. It’s worth seeing what you can get back in money by going through these sites. Also have a browse on voucher code sites to see if there are any current discount codes you may not be aware of when booking direct.
Book direct with Hotels
If you use an online third-party site which compares hotel costs and you’ve got your price, reach out and e-mail the hotel direct. They may often beat the price you’ve got through the third-party booking site or at least match it and throw in some extras like breakfast or room upgrades.
