You’ve worked hard saving up to give your family the best holiday yet, and you certainly all deserve a break. When you go away you’ll be surrounded by temptation, however, and it’s hard not to overspend. By sticking to a realistic budget, you can be confident you have the funds you need to have fun. There are several other ways you can control your spending on your next family holiday. With a bit of organisation before you go, you’ll be able to make your holiday savings go a lot further. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Go self-catered
If you want an easy way to save money on your next family holiday, you’ve got to go self-catered. You don’t have to eat every meal at home, but it’ll save you from spending money in restaurants three times a day. There are several advantages of self-catered holidays. It gives you the flexibility to eat what you like and when, and you’ll even spend less on drinks. You can stock the place with tea, coffee, and even beer or wine in the fridge for next to nothing. You can then alternate eating and drinking in with going out.
Consider a private villa
It may not sound like the cheapest option but booking private accommodation has many advantages. Not only will it have all the benefits of self-catering but also a swimming pool and other amenities. If you have everything you need at your fingertips, you’ll be less likely to spend money going out. Check out these Mykonos Villas, which are ideal for families and groups to go in on. With everyone together in one place you can get a better deal and afford more luxury.
Get the best exchange rate
Change your money before you go and look for the best exchange rates. If you wait until you get to the airport you’re unlikely to get as good a deal. Specialist forex companies are the best, so avoid changing your money at the supermarket, hotel, or other tourist facilities. You’ll then get more bang for your buck, euro, or pound. It’s also a good idea to bear in mind which bank card to take with you as some are more commonly accepted than others abroad.
Set a daily budget
If you plan your itinerary in advance, you should be able to set a realistic daily budget. Always plan to have a little extra as well if you need to go over. You don’t want to be thinking about money the entire time, so it’s better to ensure your budget will cover your holiday plans. Here is a parent’s guide to budgeting with more tips and advice.
Eat in local restaurants
It’s important to get an authentic experience while you’re exploring new places, as this is not only part of the fun but it could be very educational for your children. Eat in traditional, local restaurants rather than in the hotel or larger chains. You’ll get to sample the delicious local cuisine and it’ll likely be much cheaper as well. If you’re going self-catered, why not check out the local markets and try your hand at cooking a few new recipes at home? If you’re staying by the sea, look for fish markets where you can get the catch of the day for a tenth of the price you would in a restaurant.
Plan free or low-cost activities
There are plenty of free and low-cost activities you can do while you’re on holiday. A trip to the beach can be pretty economical or you could even explore areas of natural beauty near where you’re staying. Getting in touch with nature has many benefits for kids. It allows them to engage their curiosity and has a very calming effect. Go on a family picnic or hike, or discover hidden gems such as national heritage sights. These types of activities are fun for the whole family and certainly won’t break the bank.
Make memories rather than buying souvenirs
Rather than buying souvenirs, you could let the kids make their own memories. For example, they could take shells from the beach, save their tickets, or other small trinkets from places you visit. It’s also essential to take plenty of photos. You could even get a disposable camera for your kids if they’re too young for a phone. There’s no reason why you have to skimp on fun on your next family holiday, but if you’re smart you’ll be able to stay within budget.
