Free and cut-price options to help money go further
Our Cost of Living Campaign - Price Watch highlights the impact of rising demands on our readers’ finances
AMONG THE vast number of people who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of ever rising living costs, are many mid-lifers with families.
Here, we look at ways to find free or cut-price options for family outings, or simply for spending time out and about while on a budget.
Cheap days out are recommended by money saving expert Martin Lewis and is well worth a look as it includes a regularly-updated list of vouchers, two for one deals, and offers on days out, including cheap tickets for theme parks, attractions and free activities.
Visit https://www. moneysavingexpert. com/deals/cheap-themeparks/ and https://www. moneysavingexpert.com/deals/ cheap-zoo-deals/ for ideas on what’s available.
Another site https:// dayoutinengland.com/savemoney-on-days-out/ advises on money off vouchers, offers and discounts for family outings.
Look for transport deals. National Rail’s scheme offers ‘241’ over 300 days out in England.
They’ve got places across the country from Sea Life Centres, to Cadbury World, football grounds, zoos, cathedrals, museums, gardens and cinemas.
You save your ticket stub to show on entry, and you’ll get the two for one tickets.
Check out the National Rail Days Out page for more information on these.
Save money on days out by downloading free parking apps. Plan your trip in advance and you can look up the free spots to park.
Try AppyParking and Parkopedia. Always compare websites and prices for the cheapest deal, as there can be a great variance on prices.
Visit LastMinute.com, HolidayPirates.com and MoneySavingExpert to see what’s the best deal on offer.
Or have a good search in Google. Set up price alerts to be notified when outings or stays are reduced.
For example, Amazon has days out packages at reduced prices at any given time, so well worth checking out. Add experiences to your basket to keep an eye on the prices.
Visit amazon.co.uk. Take your own food when going on outings to cut a huge amount of cost, or make a picnic part of the over all fun. And take your own water bottles.
Many more places offer fill-ups as standard these days. Make a picnic the big event of the day by meeting up with friends or family at a designated spot.
If you love National Trust parks and properties it might be a good idea to join, and similarly with English Heritage.
A National Trust family membership is around £133.80 for two adults and children for a year, to include grandchildren, or £83.40 for one adult and children, so could save you a huge amount on outings and stays.
Make the most of the many free museums in towns and cities across the UK.
You’d be surprised at the facilities some of them offer, with free activities.
Use Tesco Clubcard and Nectar points for days out in England – including theme parks and top attractions.
Look for discount vouchers online for restaurant deals many chain restaurants have voucher deals.
If there’s an attraction in your local area that you know you’re going to visit a lot, it can save you money to look at having an annual membership. Save money on days out, by going to a favourite place often.
Check out group entry prices and go with friends or family to save money on days out in England.
At London Zoo, among others, you can save 20 per cent on tickets for 10-plus groups. And at Alton towers you’ll save 30 per cent if you book together online - so well worth it.
Some attractions allow you to upgrade your ticket, for free, to a year’s pass. This means for the price of one visit you could go as much as you liked over the year.
The Deep Aquarium in Hull does this, as does Windsor Castle.
Go for walks in the beautiful British countryside ... it’s free. Download an app like Pathfinders, or just Google to find a trail or round walk, pub walk, or family walk, and off you go.
Many towns and cities have family trails with free map guides and quizzes.
Get a parking app downloaded, and take your own snacks and drinks.
Investigate if your cinema does any cheaper deals such as kids’ club films or Sunday morning sessions.
These can be a good turnto on a rainy day for a bargain price.
Going on a cycle ride can be a great way of getting active and making the most of city or countryside attractions near you.
Pack a picnic, plan stop offs at interesting spots and you have a brilliant free day out. Also look for family and offroad bike trails.
Check out council websites and sign up for any local newsletters to find out when special events are taking place. Most towns and cities host events for families at some point during the year so don’t miss out.
Check cereal packs and suchlike for offern.
Kelloggs is currently offering free adult tickets to a range of family attractions and you can easily make a very worthwhile saving.
When food shopping for picnics or packed lunches check out supermarkets for when they reduce prices on the day’s goods. You could pick up sandwiches for next to nothing the evening before your outing.