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Saving money can be extremely difficult, especially when you have a young family. At ivaplan.co.uk we realise that whilst getting your finances back on track means cutting down on a lot of life’s luxuries, it is important to have occasional leisure time with your family. Doing this on a budget can be challenging however there are ways to cut costs when it comes to activities and days out with the kids.
Go to the cinema on the ‘cheap night’
Most cinemas offer discounts one night of the week such as 2 for 1 deals or 25% off. These deals often run mid week and also for matinee showings.
Buy in bulk
When you are planning on visiting a popular tourist attraction, tickets alone can be really expensive. Group discounts are available but these may not necessarily apply to a family of four. By arranging to go with friends and other families you may have enough people to be eligible for a discount which can cut costs significantly.
Don’t buy programmes
Souvenir programmes and posters can be incredibly expensive and after the event are often left in a drawer. Taking your own photographs to upload online or develop is a far cheaper way to recreate memories of a family day out.
Use your student card
Student cards are accepted for discounts by far more companies than you would imagine. As well as restaurants, bars and shops, many visitor attractions offer student discounts of up to 50%.
Bring your own equipment
Many sports and activity centres charge for hiring the necessary equipment, yet fail to mention that you are able to bring your own. Before heading to an activity centre is it worth enquiring about bringing your own equipment, from rollerblades to tennis rackets. Hiring can be really expensive for one person let alone a whole family.
Sign up for trials
Leisure centres often offer free trial days, which include unlimited use of their swimming pools, gyms, saunas etc for a whole day. To pay for all of these activities individually would be quite expensive. It is therefore worth making use of any free trials available to you and your family when looking for something to do on a rainy day.
Visit museums
Most museums across the UK are free to visit for adults and children. Not only is visiting the museum an educational experience but it also won’t break the bank.
Sign up for newsletters
Promotional emails can be a little irritating. However signing up to alerts from shopping centres, cinemas or discount websites such as groupon.co.uk or wowcher.co.uk can be beneficial. The discounts in these emails often aren’t available to the general public so it is worth being in the know when it comes to future deals for days out.
Explore your local area
Despite all of the modern technology available to children as a source of entertainment, parents should not underestimate how much enjoyment a child can get from a day at the park or beach. Exploring your local area with a picnic make for an enjoyable day out that doesn’t cost a penny.
Don’t join the gym
Gym memberships do come with a lot of benefits, the primary advantage being unlimited use of their facilities. However, even a monthly membership is expensive and they are only worth their money if you use them. If you only go to the gym once a week you are not getting value for money. Gym memberships are only ever advisable for those who attend minimum three to four times a week. Assessing how often you are likely to use a gym is a good indicator when deciding whether or not to splurge on the membership.
At ivaplan.co.uk our number one aim is to help you get your finances back on track. We work to come up with the best debt solution to suit your personal and financial needs. Although our services don’t end when you choose a debt solution.
We are committed to making sure you are able to afford reasonable payments and, in the long run, take control of your finances. Part of this derives from budgeting money properly across all aspects of your everyday life. Leisure activities, when you have a family, can cost a significant amount each month.
Not allocating sensible amounts of money for sports, activities and days out with the family can lead to financial problems in the long run. By having an awareness of how to save money on leisure activities, you will help safeguard your income and prevent any future insolvency.
