Claire Howard from Solihull shares her journey of 13 trips abroad after a pay cut, embracing budget travel and newfound freedom.
Solihull: A teacher has found a way to travel a lot. Claire Howard, a West Midlands teacher, took a pay cut but still enjoyed 13 trips last year. She stepped down from her deputy head role to focus on teaching and travel.
At 47, Claire decided to work four days a week. She wanted more time for herself. “I didn’t want to spend my Tuesdays cleaning,” she said. A birthday trip to Dublin opened her eyes to new adventures.
Claire got hooked on ‘extreme day trips.’ These are short, budget-friendly trips from local airports. She often travels for just 24 hours. “I set a goal for 12 trips in 12 months and ended up with 13,” she shared.
Even with a £400 monthly pay cut, Claire budgeted wisely. She still managed to travel in 2024. “I love teaching, but I needed a change,” she explained. Claire usually flies late Monday or early Tuesday and returns by teatime.
Her favorite trip was from Geneva to Chamonix. She loved the independence it gave her. Claire also enjoys bringing her teenage kids along. She spent an average of £180 per trip, with her cheapest being £27 to Paris-Beauvais.
Claire advises future travelers to budget carefully. “I stopped spending on fast fashion and eating out,” she said. She knows that travel requires sacrifices, especially if you don’t have a high income.
With older kids, Claire has more freedom. “I don’t need to be there for bath time or dinner every day,” she noted. She wanted to travel more after raising her children. “I’ve always loved travel; I just needed to fit it in.”
Her kids have enjoyed the trips too. Claire feels her mental health has improved with this new lifestyle. “These small trips give me something to look forward to,” she said. Planning is part of the fun for her.
