Ah, summer. Long days spent out in the sunshine, activity after activity, quality time spent with the family: it’s magical stuff. Alas, it can also be expensive, especially if you don’t have a plan in place for how to deal with the many costs of having a fun summer. But fear not, because summer doesn’t have to be anywhere near as expensive as you might have thought. In fact, follow our tips below, and you’ll be able to have a memorable summer without breaking the bank.
Source: Pexels.com
Pray for Sun
Yes, we’re sorry that the first bit of advice isn’t very useful, but we can always hope that the sun gods decide to bless us with their warming rays. If it’s sunny through the summer, then your job is as good as done, especially if you have a decent sized garden. The good news is that in the UK, we are expected to have a summer that’ll be cracking the flags. There’s better than being able to unwind in the garden as the children tire themselves out!
In the Home
Whether it’s sunny or not, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of fun activities for you and your children to enjoy in the house. This can be just about anything, from board games to cards, to crafts and other projects. Crafts are especially fun for the whole family because the supplies you need cost very little yet can keep the kids entertained all day. If you’re looking for some inspiration, take a look at some of the best summer DIY craft projects: who knows, you might just end up with a new piece of decoration for your home.
Freebie Excursions
No matter where you live, there’ll be plenty of free excursions for you and your family to go on. If you live in a more rural area, then you have everything for a relaxing, fun-filled day spent exploring the great English countryside. All you need to do is pack a packed lunch, and you’re ready to go! If you live close to cities, then there’ll also be plenty of free excursions, such as museums and the like. England is full of fun tourist activities to do, so take a look at what you have in your local area and get down there.
Events
Summer is awash with events up and down the country, many of which are free or at least inexpensive. There are festivals, shows, fairs, and much more which can give you and your children something to do throughout the summer months. This does require a little bit of digging to find out what events are happening around and then some planning to make sure you can get there, but that’s all. To find what’s happening, simply google your area plus “events, ” and there should be a few websites that come up with listings, which you can then divide into free and family friendly events.
Saving Money
When it comes to spending money during the summer, you want to spend your money on the things that will make the season even better. To do that, try and save money in the places it’s possible to save money, such as food. People generally don’t need big meals when the sun is shining, so food might be one area where you can keep some money in the bank. Also, when you go for days out, don’t rely on buying all your food when you’re out, as this will rack up a big bill. Instead, take your lunch with you. If you’re going out for the day, also take a look and see if it’s cheaper to get the bus or other public transport rather than driving. If it is, then you’ll be able to save money, and you’ll have a bit of an adventure!
Going Abroad
You’re still able to take your family abroad, even if you are looking to save money. If you’re just waiting to be paid before you can book your overseas trip, then look at getting a payday loan now and booking it if you see a good deal. Because other countries are cheaper than the UK, it’s very often possible to spend less money going away to a different country than it is holidaying domestically. Take a look at some of the best, cheapest holiday destinations for families on a budget.
Inexpensive Getaways
If you’re intent on staying in the UK but don’t want to pay UK prices, then you can take a cheap trip just by removing most of the staples of a holiday – hotels, etc. – by going camping. This is always really fun, and costs next to nothing. You’ll be exploring some of the most beautiful sites in the country and won’t have to worry about how much you’re spending. Alternatively, another inexpensive getaway is going to stay with relatives in a different part of the country. You can always host them at another time during summer, too!
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Staying Active
Don’t underestimate just how much fun children can have with a ball and a bat, or any other sporting equipment for that matter. On those days where it’s sunny, but you want to get out the house, just head on down to the local park with a football, bat, ball, and any other fun games you have lying around the house. Children really aren’t that fussy about the type they’re having, as like they have it. Bonus: they’ll also tire themselves out, ensuring a relaxing and chilled evening once you return home.
Those Rainy Days
As optimistic as we can be, we all know that in the UK we’re gonna face some rainy days during the summer. It’s important to have back up ideas so that boredom doesn’t set in if the sun fails to shine for a few days. Stack on old DVDs from charity shops, and you’ll have an easy distraction for the kids. Some cinemas also do cheap summer ticket prices, which is another option if you’re desperate to get out the house for a few hours.
Worthwhile Investments
Though you might generally want to keep the purse strings closed during summer, some things can be a worthwhile investment. For example, a bike might seem like a big expense, but regarding what it gives you, it’s pretty cheap. If you buy one at the start of summer, you might find that your children spend all day, every day out riding around – and on that front, the cost per day of the bike will be next to nothing.
Summer Clearing
In the early days of summer, you can pass a few days by having a clear out of any old junk you have lying around the house. This is fun, as you’ll discover old items you might not have seen for a while, and can also be a bit of a moneymaker. You can host a sale in your front garden, or go down to a car boot sale, and then sell what you want to get rid of. With the money that you make, you can have a day out or treat yourselves to a nice dinner. Bonus: you’re teaching the value of money at the same time.
Staying Relaxed
In the end, you can’t always bank on having a cracking summer. Things will go wrong, and the weather might not always play ball. Keep a sunny disposition, and your kids will have fun no matter what they’re doing with their time. Stay relaxed, be happy, and it’ll be a great summer.
*collaborative post
