Unfortunately we are living in times of poor economic climate. Cutbacks have been made within our day to day lives, prohibiting us from enjoying life to its full potential. Finer foods are shunned, sunny holidays are skimped on and life’s adventures are scaled back.
The truth is going out isn’t as affordable as it once was and we simply don’t have the disposable income to do it. Families in particular struggle with the rising costs of food and utility bills meaning activities together can be too costly to consider. Admission prices to shows and attractions soon add up, particularly if you are a large family, and travel can be something that is unobtainable to many.
Here we look into some techniques to help you and your family see and experience more…
Travel…
Holidays soon add up in price, accommodation, flights, transfers and days out can price many families out. An option some consider if to spend household bills and regular payments onto an air miles credit card which is paid off each month in full. This means you generate air miles as you spend, giving you the option to save for part of your flight or even gain a full flight for you and your family.
Instead of staying in a costly hotel, research potential hostels. Much of the time the experience of staying in a hostel is in fact better than that of a hotel; many of them having a personal touch since they are family-run which makes them family friendly. However hostels can significantly differ read reviews and thoroughly research the type of clientele the hostel is aimed towards.
Another option is to join up with other families and share the cost of renting a villa. Not only does it mean you can share the costs but you can also share the responsibility of looking after the children.
Time Alone…
Time alone from the kids is really important for couples. Experience days are a cheap way to get out and do something completely different while spending time together.
Experience days usually come in the form of taking sports cars round a test track, going parachuting, flying planes, paintballing or even vacating on a spa retreat. These days are normally given as birthday & Christmas gifts, so let your friends and family know that instead of receiving that usual gift voucher or pair of socks that maybe a few of them could club together and give you the opportunity to experience something exciting and new.
Social Media…
If you follow local groups and businesses you will be able to find out about fun days out and activity days occurring in your community. Many events are free or ask for a donation to charity, and it is a great way to get out and meet other local parents. Social media is also a great way to find out about special offers of free events from your local leisure centre.
Meetup.com…
Meetup.com is a handy website which promotes people coming together and sharing experiences. It’s a fact that activities become cheaper as more people get involved; so why not utilise meetup.com to find like-minded people to partake in a specific activity?
Find out what activities are happening around you by using your zip code to search – you would be surprised at how much is happening in your area — from mountaineering to book clubs, meetup.com has the potential to help many people enjoy different aspects of life on the cheap. There are many family orientated activities where you can meet new people and you kids can try new activities.
Vouchers…
There are so many deals and vouchers which can be found these days, particularly as businesses struggle in the economic downturn. Many businesses offer money saving deals to help gain custom. This can involve money off your food bill at a restaurant, money off experience days or even holiday deals. Some terms and conditions do apply, but it can be a really good way to make savings. To find out more click here.
At the end of the day, life is a collection of experiences; nothing more. Don’t get held down with thinking you cannot afford to enjoy & experience new things – as you can see, there are ways around it.
Hannah works with vouchercloud, a money-saving voucher site. She has a young family herself and understands the financial difficulty parents face in entertaining the family while also considering the utility bills and mortgage.
bianca roman says
i love when i hear about certain banks allowing their members to get in free or discounted at the local museums and such!! it does add up when you think about it! or i can’t wait until i can take my son to the lowe’s and home depot free saturdays where they make/build stuff
Lisa Ehrman says
Thanks for sharing some ways to save when traveling as a family. It is expensive, and I’m going to check into the voucher idea you have.
Emily Adams says
What a great article! I had never heard of meetup.com I will have to check it out! THanks!