LIFESTYLE; 10 WAYS TO HELP YOU SAVE FOR YOUR NEXT FAMILY HOLIDAY

With autumn well and truly here, the summer feels like an all too distant memory. If you’re already fed up of the extra layers, the colder mornings and dark evenings then you’re not alone. Next summer might feel like a long time away, but booking a holiday can be just what you need to cure the seasonal blues.

Image Credit: Pxhere under Creative Commons

Saving for a holiday isn’t always easy when you’ve got a family to look after, but if you’re clever with your finances you can start putting away for a great trip next year. Beat these autumn blues with the help of these 10 ways to help you save for your next holiday.

1. Book now to get the best deals

Summer 2018 was a bad time for holiday companies. The unexpected long heatwave meant people were more likely to enjoy a staycation than book a holiday abroad. This has affected travel agencies who are now trying to make back some money by offering some discounted deals for summer 2019 holidays. Now could be an excellent time to grab a bargain, and you’ll have the longest time to save to pay it off - where could you see yourself next year?

2. Take advantage of cheap flights

Now is the time to book flights for your 2019 break. Whether you opt for a city break or do-it-yourself beach holiday, you can take advantage of the early bird deals to enjoy fantastic savings on your flights. Learn how to use Skyscanner to your advantage, helping you score the best deals for any time of year. Sometimes a DIY holiday can be cheaper than booking a package, so explore both options to help you get the most for your money.

3. Cut back on your bills

By cutting back on certain things, you can soon start a healthy savings pot ready to book your holiday. Now is the time to shop around for the best deals on your car insurance, etc. so that you can make some extra savings. If you’re paying ridiculous interest rates for things like your credit card or a loan, you should shop around and learn more about finding a better deal. Cutting back can help you make some amazing savings, all of which can go straight into your holiday fun.

4. Round up your spare change

Spare change apps are becoming more and more popular, and are worth having if you tend to pay for most things using your debit card. A spare change app rounds up your spending to the nearest pound, putting your spare change away into a savings pot. Some of the best spare change apps include Moneybox, which allows you to invest your spare change to grow it even more, and Monzo, which is an online-only bank account which also gives the option for saving your spare change.

5. Bring in another income

If your funds are stretched, then one way to afford luxuries like holidays is to bring in additional income through a side hustle. A side hustle can be anything from a blog to tutoring others online - there are some excellent ways you can make money on the internet. Your side hustle can be anything you want it to be, so think about the ways you can make some extra money to make those holiday dreams possible.

6. Budget for your holiday

By adjusting your household budget, you can start putting more money aside towards holidays. Holidays are an excellent way of having something to look forward to, especially throughout the winter months, which should give you the motivation you need to stick to a budget. Start a budget that cuts back on certain things, like your food shop, to help you put away extra for your holiday savings. With winter around the corner, it’s a great time to take advantage of soup and slow cooker recipes that are affordable to make and can be made in batches to help your grocery spend stretch further.

7. Use a cashback site

Cashback websites are an excellent way to give your money a boost. The idea behind them is easy. Instead of going straight to a website to do your shopping, you visit a cashback portal first, clicking their link to then take you to the store’s website. It adds and extra 30 seconds to your time, which is more than worth it for the rewards you can receive back. Some cashback sites like Topcashback, allow you to exchange your balance for holiday rewards, so you can benefit from top-ups to your cashback earnings for better benefits. Start using a cashback site today to help you save the easy way.

8. Collect air miles

There are plenty of great ways to collect air miles that can be easily converted into flight discounts and even free flights! Whether you opt for an air mile credit card to earn points on your regular spending, or you decide to shop through one of their portals, you’ll find some really easy ways to save. Air miles can also be used to book hotels, parking, transfers and more - helping to bring the overall cost of your holiday down.

9. Use Tesco Clubcard vouchers

Tesco Clubcard vouchers are a great little saver, and are worth even more when you use them for travel than to take money off your grocery shop. With Tesco vouchers, you can convert them into air miles, use them on hotel websites and pay for trains, travel cards and more. If you take advantage of boosted Clubcard point offers online, you can easily start adding to your points total.

10. Try Airbnb

Airbnb can be an excellent way to help pay for your summer holiday. If you live in a good property that’s near or within a city, you could make some money by renting it out - especially around special events. Airbnb isn’t for everyone - but it could be a good little earner for you and your family.

Now that you’ve got your saving sorted, you need to decide on where to go. Why not take a look at some family-friendly holiday ideas to help you find your dream destination for next year?

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