A hol lot of money
Two Scots mums tell how they cope with the cost of keeping their kids entertained over the long summer break from school FRIDAY LEE,35 SAVE £100 ON TOP FAMILY ATTRACTIONS WITH TOMORROW’S RECORD
MANY parents worry about the cost of entertaining their kids over the summer holidays.
They expect to spend £468 on activities and meals out during the seven-week break, a survey claims.
More than half are worried about costs, a third spent more than they planned last year, while another third use a credit card to cover the period, Post Office Money’s annual parents summer spending study found.
There are also additional costs which bump up the overall amount.
Parents expect to spend an average of £43 on other people’s children in addition to their own, as well as £78 on childcare and £97 on fuel – pushing the total potential summer expenditure to £686. Denim Jacket, £30, asda.com Slogan T-shirt, £15, Topshop.com PERSONAL development worker Lee Mair knows it can be expensive keeping her kids entertained over the summer.
So, the single mother, 35, from Hamilton, tries to find cheap ways to help them have fun.
Lee, who is mum to Declan, 18, Bethany, 15 and Leona, 10, said: “I tend to do things that are cheapish, such as going to Strathclyde Park if it’s a nice day or Ayr beach or swimming.”
She uses a council concession card to get activities such as swimming half-price and gets cinema tickets through her Vitality life insurance.
To save money, she takes the kids to Asda before cinema trips rather than buying popcorn at the multiplex.
She said: “Sometimes I don’t realise what I’m spending on the kids. I give them money here and there and it’s a fortune.
“Leona is still at a stage where she’s playing outside, which is good.
“I buy a big paddling pool at the start of the summer and when it’s nice weather, I’ll fill the pool and she can have her pals over. Then I’ll cook burgers. They enjoy that and it doesn’t cost too much.” Red floral wrap skirt, £12.99, H&M Espadrilles, £30, topshop.com Espadrilles, £80, theoutnet.com