After Christmas, we are all thinking about how great it would be to get away and enjoy a sunny place with our families. But, since most of us have spent all our cash over the festive season, it is most likely the last thing on our minds.
It is possible to book a holiday on a tight budget, but you need to know how to go about it the right way. Planning ahead and having some will power will get you that much-deserved break. Here is how to save on your holiday expenses.
Choosing accommodation
Firstly, you will need to figure out whether a self-catering holiday will be better than an all-inclusive deal. It sometimes pays to go for a deal that includes everything, but it could also work out cheaper if you opt for the self-catering option.
If you plan on exploring the area, then you should rather go for self-catering accommodation, which will give you more cash to spend when you are out and about. If you prefer to hang out at the resort, then going for an all-inclusive deal could work out a lot cheaper for you.
Booking into a back packing lodge is another great way of saving on accommodation, but it may not be such a good idea if you have very small children. Make sure that you check with these establishments before pitching up with small children. Keep your costs down even further by looking online for discount codes; often travel companies offer deals to entice new customers in, so check out sites such as Netvouchercodes – Travel to find the latest offers.
Consider a staycation!
You don’t have to go abroad to have a good time! There’s plenty to see and do here in the UK, and Martin Lewis over at Moneysavingexpert.com has put together a list 100 things to do in the summer that won’t cost an arm and a leg to enjoy.
Holiday parks in the UK now offer “glamping” locations too – camping with a difference. You can stay in “yurt” (a Mongolian style tent that contains all the luxuries of home) instead of sleeping in a sleeping bag!
Research
If you want to saves loads on your holiday, then planning is essential. Booking your holiday accommodation and flights as early as possible will end up saving you a lot of cash. Just be sure to do your research and find the best deal to suit your pocket. Don’t just jump at the first offer that comes along.
Another way to potentially save some cash is to book a last minute holiday. Often companies will offer reduced rates for last minute travellers, because they want to get all their seats filled.
Whatever option you decide to go for, remember to always buy travel insurance to cover you when you are away. Nothing could be worse than having some type of emergency in a foreign country and not having a way of sorting it out. If you’re insure what type of holiday to go for, watch this video that might help you decide:
Haggling
Decide on a budget and stick to it
It is so easy to overspend when you are away, especially if you take your credit cards with you. It is very important that you decide on a daily budget and stick to it. If you do not, you will be unpleasantly surprised when you get your credit card bill upon your return.
Get a pre-paid card when you go on holiday. There is little to no risk of going over your budget if you opt for these types of cards instead. You want to enjoy tour holiday and come home without any debts, so be wise!
Avoid using your mobile phone wherever possible and rather communicate with family and friends via social media platforms such as Facebook and twitter. Sending people emails is also another way of keeping communication cost low.
