At last, some sunshine and signs that summer is on the way. All it makes me think though is that I must get round to booking my holiday soon. I’ve read so many surveys and case studies of families and the verdict about holidays always seems to be the same – we’ll cut back on just about everything else but that, the summer holiday is the one treat that has to stay.
So, here’s how – without too much effort – you can save £500 towards yours.
1. Switch your current account
Most of us pick a current account in our teens then stick with it into adult life, despite measly interest rates, colossal overdraft fees and hefty bank charges. You could save hundreds by switching current accounts. Some banks offer enticing cash incentives for switching, making the rewards of leaving your bank even greater.
2. Start making your lunch
The average person spends £5 each weekday buying lunch and or coffee for work – that’s £25 a week! Just think how quickly it adds up… If you make your own lunch and take your coffee in a flask instead you’ll be saving yourself a small fortune. Even if you spend £5 a week extra in the supermarket buying all you need for the week’s lunch – taking your own food to work for just 5 weeks will save you £100!
3. Find money you didn’t know you had
Check out the quite brilliant Mylostaccount - a totally free service which helps reunite you with money you didn’t know you had. It can be anything from losing touch with an account after you moved house and your bank don’t know your new address, or forgetting about the account your Gran set up for you when you were a kid. It doesn’t take long to fill in the forms they provide, and with so much money lying dormant, it’s definitely worth a go. In fact they say the average person reclaims between £80-100, which can’t be bad.
4. Ditch the gym
Gym memberships are so expensive it’s enough to make your eyes water. If you haven’t been near the gym since January and you’ve realised how much of a dent your membership makes in your finances – cancel it! Now the weather is perking up you can jog outside, go cycling, or take up a new sport like tennis or netball. You’ll be getting more fresh air and saving yourself about £40 a month – that’s £120 by June!
5. Be a savvy saver
If you plan to go on holiday in July, saving just £25 each month from now until then will get you that last £100. Even if you think you’ve got no spare money to put aside each month, you can do this – it’s less than £1 a day. Either think about it in stages and put away your pound each day, or if you’re worried about your will power set up a direct debit from your current account so £25 goes into your savings before you can spend it.
And every time you reach for your credit card, just think about the sun, sea and sand you’ve been dreaming of and ask yourself which you want more – whatever it is you’re about to buy, or a lovely summer holiday?
{Image: Steve-h}
