Category Archives: Days Out / Holidays

Oct 23 2018

9 ways to save money on your family holiday

Posted on by

Source: Pixabay

Spending quality time with the family is a rarity, and holidays are a great way to not only come together but to break up routine. The good news is that there are still plenty of tempting deals to be found – and a bank of new memories to make.

The holiday bill can quickly grow with expenses, and Vanquis bank have provided 9 effective tips to save money for a family holiday. Cutting back costs doesn’t have to affect the excitement of the holiday, it just means that you’re being a little more financially savvy.

Hotels

Whether you opt for an all-inclusive trip including all amenities or opting for room only – I would advise you to check for special family deals, from discounted rates to free meals for children; many international chains offer these. Most hotels and guesthouses provide breakfast, but unless it’s included in the room rate, it’s often a waste of money for children, particularly if they only eat a piece of bread or a bowl of cereal. If breakfast isn’t included, try asking for ‘complimentary’ ones for the children.

Cache and cookies

Source: Pixabay

Did you know that an airline or a booking website can record your browser history by installing cookies on browsers? What does this mean for you, you ask? Well, it means that they can compare their price with what you have viewed previously and bump up the price as they see fit. I would suggest that you clear your browser cache and cookies and turn on private browsing before you go window shopping on airlines or booking websites.

Travel comparison websites

Before committing to a purchase, there’s little to lose in taking a few minutes to check for a cheaper alternative. Every little helps and becoming a savvy shopper is a great skill to master as inflation remains high. There are many comparison websites, check quotes from leading companies in the market and it saves a heck load of time. Skyscanner.net shows all the fares available on or around your chosen dates.

Indirect flights

Source: Pixabay

We know it isn’t ideal to wait for the next connecting flight for a fear hours, however saving money wherever you can is a plus. Make the most of the time, and instead of sitting on a chair bored mindlessly, have some fun with the kids. Instead of whipping out the nifty Ipad, explore the airport and you may even have time to look around the area. Think of it as an opportunity to bond with the kids, as these are the type of memories we’ll always remember fondly.

Buses over taxis

Source: Pixabay

Taxi costs can rack up a considerable bill at the end of the trip. By travelling by using a bus, you can save more than a few pretty pennies. Buses also enhance the travelling experience, and makes the holiday feel more of an adventure. The kids would love to sightsee and play spot the local tourist attractions. Go to the ticket office, as some transport companies offer a family travel discount.

Travel insurance

Source: Pixabay

Before heading out to your favourite family destination, remember to pack in travel insurance too. The average cost for overseas medical treatment is £1,300, but can be much higher. Medical bills without insurance, can create a massive dent in your pocket – and I’d advise having a search on comparethemarket.com as you can compare the best (and most cost effective) travel insurance on the market. Travel insurance is never a waste of money, it provides you with the comfort of knowing your whole family is fully comp.

Travel size containers

Take a look at your bathroom shelf, and count how many full sized products you can pop into a travel sized container. However, there is nothing worse than opening your suitcase to find your sandals soaked in shampoo. Ensure that all the lids are tightly sealed, to prevent such a scene. Not only are travel containers re-useable, you’re single-handedly reducing the amount of plastic production. Go you!

Excursions

Source: Unsplash

Get creative with your holiday sight-seeing, as you can mix and match your holiday excursions. For example, instead of purchasing a full day trip, you might fancy only exploring particular tourist attractions. Be mindful and think about whether the kids can stay put in venturing out all day, or whether they would jump at the idea of freely roaming around.

If you’re keen to book an excursion online, be security conscious and check if they have a review page. Be on the ball, and snoop online on review websites such as TripAdvisor.

Budget planner

Source: Unsplash

Budget isn’t the most attractive word in the dictionary, however it does help us to stay on top of our funds. Budget planners are great to stay on track, you might just have to be financially savvy with your approach. Take a note of what you’re spending on during the day, and total up the sum before you hit the pillow. You might find that you’re more peace of mind knowing, that you’re staying in budget – or close to it.

Follow these simple tips every time, and bag yourself those precious family holidays for less.

May 18 2018

Getting ready for the holidays and special days out

Posted on by

Holibobs

It is always nice to take the children away for a few days of sun, sand, and sea, during the warmer months. As a result, I know that a lot of you are planning to take your children away for a week or are planning some special day trips.

If you are, you should find this article handy. It is basically a family holiday checklist of what you will need to buy (or check you already have) so you do not have to rush around at the last moment buying everything.

Summer essentials everyone will need

Regardless of what types of holiday or days out you are planning, there are some items you should always have to hand. This includes high-factor sun cream, a hat each and sunglasses.

Extra items for the beach

If you are planning to go to the beach and have small children you may need to buy items that you have never used before. For example, UV protective swimsuits, shade tents, and swim diapers. When buying products that are totally new to you it is wise to read online reviews before you go shopping. It is the best way to know what to look out for and ensure that you buy something that is fit for purpose. Don´t forget items like buoyancy aids, buckets and spades and a basic first aid kit.

Enough summer clothing

It is well worth going through each of your child´s wardrobes to make sure they have enough short-sleeved tops, shorts and other types of summer clothes. You also make sure that they have some light footwear or sandals. During the summer months, your child will also need a hat with a brim and a pair of good-quality sunglasses.

Make sure they are ready for the cooler days and evenings as well. Each child will need a couple of lightweight jumpers and a coat that is also showerproof.

Try to choose clothes that can be washed on a cool cycle and will dry quickly. Doing this will keep your power and water bills down and should also mean that you will need to buy fewer clothes. Making sure that everything can be mixed and matched is also a good idea.

Ready for a picnic

When you wake up to a bright and sunny day being able to take the kids for a picnic is always nice. There is something really special about eating outside. Everyone enjoys it. When you have very little children, it is important that none of the food gets too warm. So, if you have not already done so, buy a cool bag and put a few ice blocks in your freezer. That way, you will be ready straight away. All you will need to do is to make the food and put it into the cool bag. If you are looking for a few quick and easy picnic foods that little kids will love, click this link.

A big bag

If you do not already own a big bag to pop everything you need for a day out into, go out and buy one. A beach bag can work, but in most cases, a rucksack is a better option.

 

Mar 19 2018

A year in Bolton: A student’s guide

Posted on by

Bolton

If you have decided to study in Bolton, you will no doubt be excited about your student experience. Once you have looked for the best student accommodation Bolton has to offer and you have found a place to stay, you should then start looking into the town itself. After all, when you aren’t studying, you will want to have some fun in your new hometown. So, what can you do in Bolton during your studies?

Enjoy traditional beers at Bank Top Brewery

Bank Top Brewery Tap - Astley Bridge, Bolton.

This is the oldest and most acclaimed brewery in Bolton. Take a tour here and you’ll find out about the vast selection of award-winning beers, and, of course, you can try some too.

Smithills Hall

If you like to delve into the history of a place, Smithills Hall is a must-visit while you are in Bolton. This is one of the original family homes in the town, dating back to the medieval times. It is set in more than 2,000 acres of gardens and grounds, and it is one of the best and oldest preserved manor houses in the whole of the north-west.

The Octagon Theatre

While you are not partying in one of the nightclubs, why not enjoy one of the shows at the award-winning Octagon Theatre? From big budget musicals to arthouse plays, there’s something to suit all tastes.

Bolton Market

d1d3e93f668b9baf9e5d10fd3b36ae44

If you consider yourself a shopaholic, you’ll love the traditional Bolton market. It’s won many awards, including BBC Radio 4’s Best Food Market award. Ditch those ready meals and baked beans for an evening and treat yourself to some of the amazing food on offer.

Organise a night out in Manchester

Bolton is great, yet you’re probably going to spend a lot of time partying in the town, so if you are looking to switch things up a bit, why not organise a night out in Manchester? It’s only half an hour away. You may even find there are student groups that organise coaches to some of the best clubs in Manchester and other nearby cities.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...