Claire Howard from Solihull shares how she traveled extensively on a budget after reducing her work hours, embracing the thrill of ‘extreme day tripping’
Solihull: A teacher has found a way to travel a lot while working less. Claire Howard, a 47-year-old from West Midlands, took a pay cut but enjoyed 13 trips last year. She stepped down from her deputy head role to focus on teaching English and traveling.
After a birthday trip to Dublin, Claire got hooked on ‘extreme day trips.’ These are short, budget-friendly adventures that start from local airports. She joined a group and set a goal to take 12 trips in a year, but she ended up doing 13!
Claire shared that she spends about £180 per trip, with her cheapest being a £27 return to Paris. She usually flies out late Monday or early Tuesday and returns by teatime. This way, she doesn’t use any annual leave.
She loves the independence these trips give her. Claire enjoys bringing her teenage kids along too. She emphasizes the importance of budgeting and has cut back on things like fast fashion and dining out to afford her travels.
Claire feels lucky to travel now that her kids are older and can take care of themselves. She finds joy in planning her trips and believes they improve her mental health. Each adventure gives her something to look forward to, making her life more fulfilling.
