The summer holiday is here again in what feels like the blink of an eye!

While it’s tempting to splurge on expensive trips and activities for the little ones, it’s entirely possible to have a fantastic time without breaking the bank.

This blog post will explore seven practical ways to enjoy a debt-free summer holiday. 

Create a summer holiday budget 

The first step to a debt-free summer holiday is to create a budget. Plan your expenses for the entire time off, including travel, accommodation, food, and activities.

Use a spreadsheet or a budgeting app to track your spending. Knowing exactly how much you can afford will help you make better decisions and avoid unnecessary expenses. 

Take packed lunches 

Eating out during days out can quickly add up. Instead, take packed lunches. Not only will it save you money, but it can also be a healthier option.

For example, if you’re visiting a beautiful nature reserve, pack sandwiches, fruit, and snacks to enjoy while you’re there. It’ll be cheaper and taste better, especially with the stunning views as your backdrop. 

More from Tolu Frimpong on Mouthy Money

Staycations 

A staycation is a fantastic way to save money while exploring local attractions. The UK has plenty of beautiful places and exciting activities to explore.

For instance, you could spend a day in the Cotswolds, exploring charming villages like Bourton-on-the-Water or Stow-on-the-Wold. Or, visit the Peak District and hike up Mam Tor for breathtaking views.

These local adventures can be as rewarding as an international trip but at a fraction of the price.  

Use public transport 

Save on petrol and parking fees by using public transport. Many cities offer affordable day passes for buses and trains, making it a cost-effective way to get around.

For example, you can use an Oyster card in London to travel across the city’s extensive public transport network.

Take the train to the South Bank and enjoy a day exploring the Tate Modern, strolling along the Thames, and visiting the markets at Borough Market – many of which offer free samples. 

DIY entertainment 

Entertainment doesn’t have to be expensive. Organise free or low-cost activities like beach days, hiking, picnics, or home movie nights.

Head to Bournemouth Beach or the stunning sands of Rhossili Bay in Wales for a beach day. Pack a picnic and beach games, and enjoy the sun and sea.

For a hiking adventure, the Yorkshire Dales offers spectacular trails and beautiful scenery, perfect for a day out without spending a penny. 

Cook together 

Instead of eating out often, try to recreate some of your favourite takeaway meals or experiment with new recipes from cookbooks or online, as this not only saves money but also makes for a fun activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Get the kids involved by having them chop fruit and vegetables, mix sauces, and help with other simple tasks. 

Take advantage of free days out 

Many attractions across the UK offer free admission on certain days or have always available areas.

For instance, the British Museum in London, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, and the National Gallery in London all offer free entry. Plan your visits around these opportunities to enjoy cultural and educational experiences without spending a penny.

Additionally, many local councils provide free events and festivals during the summer, so look at community boards and websites for fun, cost-free activities. 

Photo credits: Pexels

The post How to have a debt-free summer holiday   appeared first on Mouthy Money.

The plans come as part of a consumer’s bill announced in the King’s Speech in Parliament.

Drip pricing is where the initial advertised price of a product is misleading as add ons in the buying process push the price higher.

This is particularly prevalent in sectors such as aviation where travellers will see cheap headline flight prices, only for onerous costs to be forced on them during the buying process, including for baggage and seat reservation.

But other companies do similar practices, such as including “booking fees” and other costs which often make little sense to customers but increase the end price.

Commenting on the proposals, A spokesperson for airline trade body AirlinesUK, said: “Unbundling products and offering greater choice that consumers demand is an important way that airlines compete and is well understood to have enabled air travel to become accessible for all.

“Any moves to reverse this are clearly not in the interest of UK consumers and we will respond to the government’s proposals when we have more details.”

According to a report in The Times, the average cost of a flight could rise by £80 if options such as bag and seat selections were eliminated.

The Government has however said the proposals are currently still up for consultation and no decision on drip pricing has yet been made.

Soaring profits

The potential ban comes on the back of a bumper year for profits in the airline industy, which has recovered strongly in the wake of the pandemic. Ryanair booked a 60% rise in profits last year, for example.

Firms such as Ryanair and EasyJet have made optional extra costs for flights standard practice for many years. It has been such as successful strategy that other airlines such as British Airways have been forced to follow suit.

Banning drip pricing would make the overall cost clearer for customers searching for deals using price comparison services such as Kayak, Skyscanner or Google Flights.

Often consumers find the “headline” price found in such sites bears little resemblance to the final price they end up paying.

Critics say airlines engage in drip pricing to ensure their flights ensure their flights are at the top of price comparison searches. But without a full picture of the extras this makes the real comparative costs extremely difficult to ascertain for customers.

The airlines contend that many passengers are happy to take minimal luggage and let seat selection happen at random. An airline executive told The Times:

“These are not examples of drip pricing in the way the government imagines. We believe that drip pricing is booking a cinema ticket and then finding out it’s an extra 10 per cent in booking or service charges. That is not the case here.

“You can book one of our flights and get on it, have a safe journey and arrive for exactly the fee we quote. It will just be a small cabin bag and random seat selection. That works for a lot of people.”

Photo by Longxiang Qian.

The post Must know money: Airlines could be banned from charging extra for bags and seats appeared first on Mouthy Money.

We Brits are true holiday lovers, with over 45 million holidays taken by UK residents in 2022 alone. Personally, travel has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember and I have been fortunate enough to visit close to 40 countries so far.  

So here are a few of the tips and tricks I have learned along the way to help keep the costs down when booking my holidays.  

1. Make use of a flight price alert system – If you’re not booking a last minute holiday, set yourself up with a flight price alert system.

These systems use algorithms to track flight price changes to your chosen destination on your specified dates, and you will be notified when there is a drop in price. It is a pretty genius system and amazingly it is FREE!  

There are a few different flight tracker systems you can use, including Google Flights, Skyscanner, Kayak and Momondo. 

2. Book flights and accommodation directly – Comparison websites are fantastic tools to give holiday-goers ideas of what is available, but always double-check whether it is cheaper to book directly with the airline (almost always) and/or hotel.  

Hotels are often grateful for customers who book directly with them as they do not lose a portion of their profits to a third-party. A simple query to the hotel via email or a phone call to compare their direct prices with the likes of Booking.com or Hotels.com, for instance, could potentially save you some pounds. 

3. Cashback on everything possible – It is an absolute no-brainer to make sure everything you book in advance for your holiday gets some kind of cashback where possible. For me, this includes getting cashback on my flights, accommodation, car rentals, and trip experiences.  

Most recently, I received £45 cashback for an EasyJet holiday booked which felt great to put back into my bank account following my holiday.

I have found Topcashback to be the best overall cashback website for my holiday bookings, but there are plenty of different cashback websites for you to choose from. 

4. Use fee-free debit/credit cards – Nowadays, people are less likely to take a wad of cash with them on holiday for practicality and safety reasons.

Thankfully, there are multiple debit and credit cards available which not only allow you to use your card in foreign countries without a transactional fee, but they also provide a much better exchange rate than you would get at a currency exchange bureau. 

Here is a great article listing some options of these types of cards. 

5. Don’t be afraid to use public transport – Of course this tip depends on the type of holiday you’re going on and who you are going with, but if you are open to using public transport to get to your accommodation, this can be a real money saver! I have personally done this plenty of times and saved hundreds of pounds by avoiding personal taxis. 

Note: I would definitely recommend doing a bit of research before getting to the country to see if it’s even feasible to take public transport to your accommodation, as it may not always be the case. 

Photo Credits: Pexels

The post Five ways to keep holiday costs down appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Planning a Summer holiday that’s both enjoyable and debt-free is a goal that many families aspire to.

Following some savvy tips can ensure you have a memorable trip without breaking the bank.

This blog post explores practical suggestions for achieving a debt-free summer holiday with your kids.

So, let’s delve into eight tips to make this summer holiday a financially responsible yet enjoyable experience for your family. 

1) Set a realistic budget 

The first thing you want to do is assess your financial situation and determine a reasonable budget for your holiday. Allocate funds to different categories such as travel, accommodation, meals, and activities. Having a clear budget will help you effectively manage your expenses and avoid unnecessary debt. 

2) Flexibility with dates and destinations 

Consider planning your holiday during off-peak periods and exploring less popular destinations. By doing this, you can take advantage of lower rates and fewer crowds by avoiding peak travel times. Additionally, choosing unconventional destinations can offer unique experiences while saving you money. 

3) Clever accommodation choices 

Explore alternative accommodation options beyond traditional hotels. Consider caravans, home exchanges, or even camping to reduce accommodation costs. These alternatives will provide financial savings and add a sense of adventure to your holiday. 

4) Leverage loyalty programs and memberships 

Make the most of loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. You can access exclusive discounts, perks, and rewards by signing up for these programs.

Additionally, research memberships or discount schemes provided by organisations such as National Trust or English Heritage to further enhance your savings. 

5) Get clever with meal planning  

Eating out can quickly skyrocket your holiday expenses, especially when travelling with children. Try opting for self-catering accommodations that allow you to prepare your own meals.

You can also pack picnic lunches or explore local markets and supermarkets for affordable and fresh ingredients. Making these minor adjustments can significantly reduce your dining costs. 

6) Embrace low-cost activities 

Discover free or low-cost activities and events in your chosen destination. Research local festivals, community events, or outdoor concerts that offer enjoyable experiences without the hefty price tag.

Also, explore nearby parks, beaches, and hiking trails for nature-filled adventures that will not break the bank. Visit museums, galleries, or historical sites that offer discounted or even free admission for families. 

7) Research free educational opportunities 

Take advantage of free educational opportunities during your holiday. Look for workshops, nature walks, or educational tours that provide enriching experiences for your children.

By doing this, not only will they learn something new, but it will also be a cost-effective way to keep them engaged and entertained. 

8) Take advantage of local tourism discounts and passes 

Check with local tourism offices or websites for discounted passes or bundled ticket options for popular attractions. These passes can offer significant savings, especially if you plan to visit multiple attractions during your holiday. 

Embarking on a debt-free summer holiday with your kids is achievable with careful planning and thoughtful choices. Following the eight savvy tips in this article will help you create lasting memories while staying within your budget.

Photo Credits: Pexels

The post Summer bliss: a guide to enjoying a debt-free family holiday appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Until early 2020 the cruise industry was booming. Then came Covid, and within a few short weeks this type of holiday was – if you’ll pardon the expression – dead in the water.

But now, with the pandemic thankfully receding, cruising is making a welcome return.

What’s more, with the industry desperate to get people back into the cruise holiday habit, special offers and discounts abound.

I have enjoyed all the cruises I’ve been on (albeit some more than others) and definitely plan to go on another soon.

Among the many things I like about cruise holidays is the variety they offer. Each morning you wake up somewhere new, and at ports of call you can disembark and explore – either on your own or an organised excursion.

Even on ‘sea days’, cruise ships offer a huge range of on-board entertainment, from classes and demonstrations to quizzes and high-quality song-and-dance shows. No-one should ever be bored on a cruise ship.

Solo travellers

Cruises are, of course, great for couples, but they are excellent for solo travellers too. I have travelled both as a couple with my late partner Jayne and more recently on my own.

So I can confirm that cruise ships make a particular effort to support solo travellers and bring them together, so they have company (if they want it) and don’t feel left out.

Every cruise I’ve been on has had a dedicated staff member for solo guests. This person arranges get-togethers and activities for these guests and tries to ensure they get the most from their holiday.

Top tips to become a cruise pro

Based on my experiences, here are my top tips for anyone, coupled-up or single, who is considering booking a cruise for the first time…

• Pack at least one smart suit or dress. Most cruises include one or more ‘formal’ nights, and you don’t want to miss out.

• Plan in advance what excursions you would like to take. This information will generally be available online so you can assess trips carefully and decide which would appeal. You can book on the ship as well, but personally I think it’s better to do this in advance when you can peruse all the information carefully and take the time to make up your mind.

• Think carefully about cruising if you think you may be prone to sea-sickness. Once you are on a ship at sea there is no easy way of getting off, and being stuck in your cabin with acute nausea is no fun at all. Cruises on the Med are unlikely to cause this, but cruises on the Atlantic or Pacific (where the sea can be rougher) might.

• Once you are on board, look out for the daily newsletter. This will be put under your door every night and set out everything you need to know about the ship’s itinerary the next day and all the many entertainments on offer.

• One thing you will have to do early in the cruise is the lifeboat drill. This involves putting on a life-jacket and assembling at your designated muster point. The drills are a necessary evil, so do as you are told and ask for advice from the crew if you’re unsure. Remember that as soon as all the passengers are assembled and accounted for the drill is over and you can get on with enjoying the cruise, so try not to be the person who holds things up for everybody else.

• One big attraction of cruising (for me at any rate!) is the range of food on offer, and I especially enjoy the themed buffets. Use common-sense, however, and be wary of eating things such as cheese or seafood that have been left out for a long time.

• You will probably be given a special card to show when you get off and on the ship at its various ports of call. Guard this with your life, as without it you could in theory be denied re-entry to the ship on your return.

• Be wary of all-inclusive cruises where passengers can drink as much as they like. Some people inevitably overdo it and I saw some VERY drunk (stupefied) people on the one such cruise that I went on. The smell of beery breath in the theatre in the evenings was quite unpleasant as well. Obviously if you enjoy drinking heavily you may disregard this, but one such cruise was more than enough for me. And I would think long and hard before taking children or grandchildren on one either.

• Remember that the sun’s rays are reflected off the sea, and in warmer latitudes especially it is very easy to burn. Put on a high-factor sunscreen every day, therefore, and don’t spend too long in direct sunlight. Drink plenty of fluids (non-alcoholic) as well, to avoid dehydrating.

• Throw yourself into the cruise experience. Keep an open mind and be prepared to try new things such as deck quoits and carpet bowls. These can be a lot of fun, and however bad you are at them, chances are someone else will be even worse! A few people approach these games very seriously and try to win as many as they can, but most just do them for the fun of it. It can also be a great way to meet fellow passengers and make friends.

Where to go

The Mediterranean is one very popular choice for first-time cruisers. You can fly out to your cruise ship in a few hours and then enjoy visiting a variety of sun-drenched locations over a week or more.

As mentioned above, the Med is generally pretty placid, so may be a good choice if sea-sickness is a concern.

I have also enjoyed a couple of cruises around the Canary Islands and Madeira (also including a stop in North Africa in one case).

Again, flying out to join your ship is quick and easy. Just bear in mind that the Atlantic is a different proposition from the Med and rough seas may be encountered at some point.

I also highly recommend a no-fly cruise of the British Isles (like these perhaps). I took one a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

My ship departed from Bristol and then went north as far as the Orkneys. It came back via two Scottish ports, followed by Honfleur in France, Guernsey and the Scilly Isles.

Okay, you won’t get much of a tan on a round-Britain cruise, but it offers a way of seeing our nation (and neighbouring ones) like no other.

Finally, if you’re still unsure, many cruise companies offer low-priced ‘taster’ cruises (such as these).

These typically last from one to five nights and give you a flavour of the cruise experience, so you can judge whether you would enjoy it or not.

Happy cruising!

Nick Daws writes for Pounds and Sense, a UK personal finance blog aimed especially (though not exclusively) at over-fifties.

Photo by ben o’bro on Unsplash

The post New to cruises? Here’s everything you need to know appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Getting away on a little break, visiting family or just staying overnight in a hotel can be very costly.

When looking at hotel comparison sites like Trivago or Hotels Combined, it’s hard to find cheap hotel deals.

Two key hotel chains they they also tend to miss are Premier Inn and Travelodge – and right now there’s a deal at one of them for some cheap rooms over the next year.

Here’s all the details.

What is in the deal exactly?

On dates ranging from today until August 2023, Travelodge has made 1,000,000 hotel rooms available for £34 a night.

This is available at Travelodge hotels nationwide, but you might have to do some searching for availability.

1,000,000 rooms are available for the low price, but you’ll likely find that it’s only weekday dates off peak that you’ll find them. There may be some Friday-Sunday dates around for the £34 price, but they may be booked up quickly.

As the deal is for stays up until August next year, your best chance of finding cheap rooms will be in the months of November, January and February – but they still may be available at other times.

Travelodge has a handy tool called Price Finder, that allows you to search in a whole week in your location to see prices of rooms. This is probably your best option for finding the cheapest deal.

It might be a bit of trial and error with dates, but enter your desired location and dates and see if any pop up.

If you’re flexible, see if changing the date by a day, or moving out to a further away hotel will bag you the bargain price.

From doing quick searches, we’ve managed to find £34 rooms in places like Bournemouth, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and the outskirts of London – so it’s worth a check.

Why should I care?

Whether it’s an overnight stay at an airport or a much needed break – it’s expensive to travel at the moment.

If you’re not using any hotel reward schemes or earning free nights from your stays, finding the cheapest nights rest is a good way to go.

If you’re not worried about the quality of the hotel and just want a bed to rest your head on, finding a £34 room is a good way to go.

What’s the catch?

It may be hard to find the cheapest rooms on the dates you’re searching on. During school holidays, leading up to Christmas and the summer will be hard to find £34 rooms.

If you can be flexible on dates, and can stay Sunday-Thursday nights, then that’s when you’ll find the best deals.

What other options do I have?

Fellow cheap hotel chains Premier Inn and Holiday Inn also do similar sales throughout the year. They might not appear on hotel comparison sites either, so it’s worth having a search on those websites too before booking.

If Travelodge prices are high, it’s worth checking to see if its cheaper elsewhere.

Where can I find out more?

You can find out everything you need to know on the Travelodge website, as well as searching and booking your hotel room.

Be sure to use the Price Finder tool if you’re a little more flexible too.

Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/bedroom-door-entrance-guest-room-271639/

The post Travelodge Hotel Rooms From £34 appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Fully vaccinated travellers have new simpler travelling rules, with the traffic light system scrapped in favour of a simpler two-tier arrangement.

Travelling rules

The Amber list was scrapped from October 4. This means that eligible fully-vaccinated passengers returning from countries on the green list can do so:

•  without needing to complete a pre-departure test (PDT)
• a day 8 test
• or enter a 10-day self-isolation period

A single post-arrival test is needed in this new system.

UK residents and British and Irish nationals arriving home from red list destinations must currently stay in a 10-day hotel quarantine at their own expense (a total of £2,285).

Julie Simpson, president of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) comments: “While this is certainly a step in the right direction, for the UK to be real leaders, the government should adopt a system based on the risk of individuals, not countries.

“Placing whole countries on red lists is illogical if you can keep the UK safe by checking an individual’s status and allowing fully jabbed people to travel almost anywhere in the world safely.”

A rise in holiday bookings

With the change in the system, travel firms have seen a rise in the number of bookings. This was the case for the Health and Fitness Travel company.

Paul Joseph, founder of Health and Fitness Travel, says: “The latest updates to the travel restrictions as set out by the Government have already made and will continue to make a difference to consumer confidence when it comes to travelling abroad.

“They have provided some much-needed relief for the tourism industry that has struggled without adequate support during the pandemic.

“Now that there is no amber list and fewer countries on the red list, along with the scrapping of return tests to the UK for doubly vaccinated travellers to the UK, we are seeing a rise in enquiries and bookings.”

Should we book a holiday before it comes off the red list?

Emma Coulthurst at TravelSupermarket says that if you see a good deal and wanted to secure a holiday now in a red list country, a holiday package will give you the best consumer protections.

However, she considers the idea of booking a holiday in a country before it’s taken off the red list to be a risk.

“There is no knowing if a country is going to be taken of the red list,” she says, “If it is a good price, then people will make their own decisions on whether they choose to take the risk and book.

“But they need to be aware that if they book a flight and accommodation separately, they will be bound by the terms of the airline and the accommodation provider.”

However, if they book a package, it will be cancelled if the country remains red when the holiday dates come around and they will be legally entitled to their money back.

She adds: “In terms of travelling, there are really good prices. Now the pre-departure test has been dropped, it makes city breaks an option too, now testing costs are reduced.

“I came back from Krakow last night after a fantastic three-day break, which cost less than £100 for three nights in a lovely central hotel and the flight.”

Photo by Lance Asper on Unsplash

The post Should I book a holiday before it comes off the red list? appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Staycationers are running out of time to book a Christmas break in the UK as demand soars for a local stay.

Some 90% of Christmas holiday lets have already been booked up, according to a holiday cottage letting company, Staycation Holidays.

The company has 150 properties in total. Out of this number, only 26 are still available for Christmas bookings.

“We’re getting onto an increase of about 40% compared to two years ago on bookings,’ according to Charles Millward, the firm’s owner.

“Christmas, generally speaking, is a time when families get together. It tends to be maybe two or three generations, or two couples booking a place during this period.”

Higher demand and prices

The staycation and travel industry suffered last year because of the pandemic. Millward says his company lost about 25% of its typical financial profits.

However, this year profits have increased by 35% due to the rising number of bookings.

As demand is soaring, so are prices. The average nightly rate for a Christmas rental in 2021 is already at £274, compared to £108 in 2020 and £190 in 2019, according to Guesty.

Millward adds: “It’s not so much there’s been a sudden surge now it’s been a case that the bookings have been growing since about April.”

“People are taking longer holidays. We’ve got a lot of two weeks in three weeks, Devon being a top destination.”

Staycations or holidays abroad?

According to Millward, a staycation: “Is a substitute for a home. It’s a home from home. So, if you’ve got two families, three families, you can scatter, you can leave things, you have your own privacy, whereas in a hotel, it’s not quite the same.”

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair chief executive warned of higher prices in the summer of 2022. That is because there will be fewer flights as passengers rush to holiday in Europe.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, he said: “I think there will be a dramatic recovery in holiday tourism within Europe next year. And the reason why I think prices will be dramatically higher is that there’s less capacity.

“Take out Thomas Cook (six million seats), Flybe (eight million seats), Norwegian (nearly 24 million seats) – Alitalia’s reducing its fleet by 40%. There is going to be about 20% less short-haul capacity in Europe in 2022 with a dramatic recovery in demand.”

Ryanair prices will be cut this winter, to “grab market share everywhere”, Mr O’Leary said.

Picture by Boxed Water Is Better from Unsplash

The post Exclusive: warning for staycationers as Christmas holiday lets run out appeared first on Mouthy Money.

Mouthy Money contributor Amani Keynan has spent the past year abroad in Egypt studying Arabic. Here, she shares what she has learned about the pitfalls of spending in a foreign currency.

When moving abroad, temporarily or permanently, there are a few key things to consider. For instance, will I find my favourite snacks there? And how much is everything going to cost me?

When I decided to study abroad the first thing I did was check the exchange rate. Luckily for me UK pound sterling is ‘strong’ relative to the Egyptian pound. In theory my British pounds would go far there.

But what I quickly learned after arriving is having a ‘stronger’ currency is a bit of an illusion. It is easy to think everything is cheap but it also easy to overspend.

Before flying out I researched the cheapest ways to access my money. There were a few methods to avoid extra costs when making purchases or withdrawing money, but after exploring my options I decided to get a Starling card.

Starling has free overseas spending and cash withdrawals around the world.

But things got trickier once I arrived.

• Your Questions Answered: Have you got a burning money question? We want to help! We’ve got a panel of experts on hand that can explain and give guidance to you for your personal finance problems. Find out how.

My first underestimation of my new currency was realising I’d spent roughly £30 on a bag of nuts. As you can imagine that set alarm bells ringing when I discovered what I’d done.

I made a string of other mistakes till I realised I was spending a lot more than the average international student.

I think the misconception that affected me is thinking you come from a place with a ‘stronger’ currency in a more expensive country, so no matter how much you spend, you’re always getting it for way cheaper than what you would’ve bought it for at home. But that is often not the case.

In Egypt, for example, all the branded products we’re used to at home will, without a doubt, be double the retail price compared to the UK. Buying them is a really easy way to overspend!

Once that bubble bursts you’re pushed to think about ways to help you budget better – or at least be a bit smarter with your spending.

Top tips for overcoming currency differences

From my time here I thought it was just me being clueless, falling for overpriced things. But I came across others who fell for the illusion of the currency difference.

From their feedback and my own experience it takes about two to three months to realise your expenditure is exceeding your average amount at home on random things. I don’t include anything spent on experiences in this though, because I think that’s money well spent.

If I was to give myself advice before I arrived – or anyone else that thinks they are bound to spend way less than they anticipated – I would say you should live with a currency exchange app by your side.

Unless your mental maths skills are impeccable, it’s just easier to quickly use one to figure out what something costs in your own currency – a better benchmark for whether it is expensive or not.

Additionally, I would avoid telling myself: “It’s only £10 or its only £20” but rather ask yourself “is this a smart and needed purchase?”

For some (me) that’s goes beyond spending abroad and is just good adulting.

Also, make a budget for monthly spending and stick to it. Of course allow yourself some leeway for going over, especially if you’re spending on good experiences.

If you end up not going over it though, you’ll have a little left to roll over to the next month – which I always find satisfying.

Find a way to spend your money and enjoy your time abroad that is enjoyable but sustainable. It may be that all this overspending won’t hurt you but, it just might not be the smartest move.

Photo by Julia Volk from Pexels

The post How I spent £30 on a bag of nuts: the pitfalls of spending in a foreign currency appeared first on Mouthy Money.

With the Government’s quarantine measures making foreign travel more challenging, Mouthy Money co-editor Edmund Greaves reveals how to make the most of a ‘staycation’.

For those of you who, like me, haven’t had the chance to even contemplate a holiday abroad this summer, you might be wondering what to do.

I initially planned a driving holiday to France with my girlfriend, but that idea went out of the window when the Government introduced a quarantine on those coming back from Spain.

While some people who work from home might afford two weeks stuck in the house as a price to pay for some time at ‘la plage’ , unfortunately Ellyn is a paediatric nurse, which means she can’t afford to quarantine for 14 days. And fatefully, France has now had quarantine reimposed.

So, we’ve scaled back our ambitions. But that needn’t be a disappointment.

Living inside the M25, it’s easy to forget the UK is a spectacular country and can be a fantastic holiday destination. And what better time to give it a try than now?

Where

Initially I thought of making a trip north of the border to Scotland. I’ve always harboured a romantic notion of the Highlands and in particular wanted to visit a place called Achmelvich beach, which frankly looks like it could be the Caribbean.

But anecdotally at first, and recently confirmed by an opinion poll, the Scots don’t seem that welcoming of visitors from south of the border at the moment. Pick and choose your reasons why this is, but why go to the trouble of either making that worse by being the annoying English tourist, or getting sub-standard treatment from someone who doesn’t want me there.

Plus, Scottish First Minister and disliker-of-Sassenachs-in-chief Nicola Sturgeon has threatened to force English people travelling north to quarantine. Scotland was off.

Next in our thoughts was Wales. Ellyn is half Welsh (the name is apparently a giveaway spelling) so why not visit her homelands? The North of Wales all the way down to the rugged coasts of Pembrokeshire are spectacular. And I had a particular fantasy of living out some druidic tales on Anglesey.

The issue again though is the Welsh government has been stricter on lockdown than England, so booking might lock us into something we then can’t use. We have two weeks to spend though so had a thought – what if we split our time?

So the current plan as it stands is – one week in Wales, and one in Devon and Cornwall. Very (very) fortunately, Ellyn grew up in West Devon and her family still reside there. It is an excellent and cheap jumping off point for us.

We’re not planning on staying at their place more than a few nights, rather to head further down into Cornwall and camp around Land’s End, where I’ve never been and make our way around the coast.

How

Camping. It’s flexible and you’ll feel like mountain man for boiling water over a gas stove while looking at cows. You can mostly turn up and there are a lot of places to go. Having a car has been a boon for us because we’ve been able to invest in camping gear that we can actually carry around.

We bought quite a few bits and pieces on Amazon, which held a camping sale earlier in the year, for example a big four-man Colemans tent which was £89 marked down from £140. We got other bits like soft mats and cooking tools but look at these purchases as an investment that pay for themselves as we camp more frequently.

We did a test-run of camping on a long weekend in Devon in July. We could book a non-electric pitch for £20 a night, really not breaking the bank for access to Dartmoor, a beautiful bit of countryside. I’d recommend buying a couple of high-capacity battery packs though to keep mobile phones charged.

I haven’t camped since I was at school, but to be honest this isn’t Duke of Edinburgh-style camping. Our first night was a little uncomfortable as it rained for a few hours and we were just getting used to the sleeping bags and mats. But every subsequent night was a joy as we got used to the slight rough and readiness of it.

The campsite were very helpful and attendant about the coronavirus issue, helping people to use the bathroom facilities etc safely and making sure all the pitches were well spaced out. It gave me a lot of confidence to go on and do it elsewhere for a longer time.

Why

The UK has some frankly iconic places of natural and human beauty. Why not get out there and experience it?

If you’re wondering slightly what to do in an area you might like to visit, buy a guidebook. It feels counterintuitive buying a Lonely Planet or Wild guide about somewhere in your own country but it’s actually incredibly useful. We’ve discovered secret swimming spots just off the M25 and ancient Bronze Age ruins thanks to such guides. Each one a remarkable experience.

Plus, the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, and the VAT reduction scheme mean you can do a lot of eating out at 50% off, and save 15% on things like accommodation. These will really help to cut your costs for a home-bound trip.

Leveraging that knowledge to better explore the great places our country has to offer and you may just never want to go abroad again!

Photos courtesy of the author.

The post Quarantine put the brakes on a trip abroad? Here’s how to make the most of a staycation appeared first on Mouthy Money.