Cash advice

With school holidays fast approaching, it’s important to be savvy with your spending when entertaining the kids. Consumer affairs editor Natasha Rachel Smith* says, ‘Family days out and fun trips during half-term can prove costly, so it’s important to ens

1 ADVANCE BOOKING Buying tickets for attractions and days out in advance can really save you money. If you book on the day, you’ll end up paying on-the-door prices, which can be much more expensive than getting tickets online. Make sure you plan in advance where you want to go during half-term, and you’ll be sure to get more bang for your buck.

2 HOME FROM HOME House-swapping may sound crazy but, if you have friends or relatives who live in a different area to you, perhaps by the coast or in a different city, it’s worth looking into. As long as it’s someone you know well and trust, houseswaps are a great way to feel as if you’ve had a holiday away, completely free.

3 CHEAP GRUB Paying to eat out on top of funding events and activities during the school holidays can really add up, especially if you have a big family. Why not make packed lunches for your trips instead? Ingredients for four or five sandwiches and a multi-pack of crisps can cost as little as £5 altogether. Taking your own food along is a guaranteed way to save you cash.

4 TICKET STUBS Hang on to your tickets, as some attractions and days out offer a free return policy within 12 months of a valid ticket being issued and used. Check to see if this is applicable on any tickets you’re booking, or whether you still have some old ones lying around the house. It’ll come in very handy for the half-term holidays, when you could be able to enjoy a day out for no cost whatsoever.

5 KIDS GO FREE Keep an eye out for kids-go-free deals, often available for some of the UK’s best attractions. These can often be found on children’s cereal boxes or snack products. You may have to collect vouchers to get the deal, but it’s a day out with the kids at half the cost.