MUM'S THE WORD
I’m a mum-of-two and I save £2,000 every summer by planning kids’ activities in JANUARY…we spend £20 a day as a family
Mum reveals her top tips for saving £1,000s this summer
A MUM-of-two has revealed how she spends just £20 a day by planning her kids' summer activities months ahead of schedule.
Katy Meaney, 38, from Wolverhampton, has cracked the code to a budget-friendly summer packed with fun for her family-of-four.
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These summer saving hacks have meant she's spent £2,485 less than what most Brits fork out during the holidays.
A freelance writer and mum-of-two, Katy plans every summer adventure well in advance to dodge sky-high costs.
"My kids are always eager to be out and about, and let’s face it, outings can bleed your wallet dry," she admits.
"But with a bit of savvy, we manage to enjoy everything from zoo trips to theme parks without breaking the bank."
Money Savers
Her secret- Katy harnesses the power of discounts and deals. "Sites like MoneySuperMarket’s SuperSaveClub and Sun Super Days are goldmines for savings," she reveals.
"Last year, we snagged Alton Towers tickets for less than £20 each – a steal compared to the usual £68!"
But it’s not just big-name attractions. Katy’s a fan of local gems too.
"Places like the Black Country Living Museum offer unique experiences worth every penny," she said.
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MoneySuperMarket expert Kara Gammel also says to "make the most of free activities"
She said her family enjoy walks and recommends "downloading an app for a digital treasure hunt", where you can explore your local area with the kids.
She also recommends cashback apps where you can get cash back on parking, and looking out for bonuses when signing up for insurance packages.
For Katy, planning early is key.
"By mapping out our summer months in January, we can say 'yes' to family weddings and outings without worrying about the bank balance," she explained.
Katy said: “My kids always want to be out and about so I get the “mum guilt” if I see them sitting in front of the console.
"But if you’re a family of four looking for a day out, you’re already spending close to £100 to get through the door of most places. I’d end up bankrupt by September!”.
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Kate also shares her struggle to keep up with childcare costs.
“The school charges £58 a day for childcare per child, so it would cost more than I earn in a day to send both of mine. This means I have to work less in the summer, with our income taking a hit".
Getting help with childcare costs this summer
Mel Hunter shares six ways to save on childcare:
Check what you are entitled to: If you’re on Universal Credit, childcare costs have risen to up to £951 a month for one child and £1,630 for two, payable upfront if you’re starting a new job or increasing hours. For other working parents, tax-free childcare is available for kids up to 11 or for disabled children up to 16. For every £8 you pay your childcare provider, the Government will contribute £2—visit . The Government’s Holiday Activities and Food scheme offers at least four weeks of holiday childcare over the summer, plus food, for kids aged four and over on benefits-related free school meals in England. Contact councils in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to see if similar support is offered
Shop around for clubs: Holiday clubs can cost £50 a day, but booking for a whole week is typically cheaper. Look for clubs run by the YMCA, churches, faith groups, youth centres, and libraries. For example, the YMCA in Maidstone, Kent, charges £10 for a morning/afternoon session and £20 for a full day. Onsideyouthzones.org offers low-cost places at 14 sites across the UK, with prices from £10 a day.
How to find cheaper sports schemes: Spend over £30 at Aldi before the end of July to get a voucher for a free taster session of an Olympic or Paralympic sport at freesportssessions.aldi.co.uk. McDonald’s Fun Football Centres offer free sessions for children aged 5-11. Sign up from July 14 via the Family Hub section at. The Kids For A Quid scheme offers swimming sessions for £1 at 150 UK pools—book at. The TCA Foundation runs cricket summer camps for £40 a week, free for kids on benefits-related school meals. Some universities also run camps; Durham University offers a multi-sports camp for £16 a day.
Get creative for less: Find everything from coding clubs to forest schools at whatson4kids.co.uk. Northern Arts Factory offers a four-hour drama club for £10 in Halifax. Monkeys in Motion has camps from £15 per day in Worcestershire. Check out clubhub.co.uk, eventbrite.co.uk, and your local council’s website for more options.
Find discounted residential camps: PGL offers day trips and residentials with a 25% discount for groups of three or more kids using code KCTHREE. The Outward Bound Trust offers five-day adventures from £549, with financial help available through its Adventure Fund.
Turn to your friends and family: Join forces with other families to take turns working and childminding. Five adults taking kids for one day each a week can cover the summer. Claim unpaid parental leave if you’ve been in your job for at least a year to split the cost of lost earnings. Grandparents who care for kids under 12 can also get a financial boost if they have gaps in their National Insurance record.
Financial expert Kara Gammel says she would rotate child minding swaps for two years to help save with childcare costs. "my daughter would go to her house and she would come to mine".
“On top of all this, summer is always jam-packed with invitations, which can add a significant strain on the wallet.
“But by meticulously planning all of our activities months in advance, we’re able to do something together as a family every second day of the summer holidays, like visits to the zoo, theme parks and bowling, all for around £20 per day."
As prices shoot up, Brits are tightening their belts, with many using clever finance management to enjoy their summers guilt-free.
The monthly cost of 31 household bills and expenses has risen to £1,525.30 – £50.84 per day – up 9.58% from £1,392.00 in February, according to .
It means the average person is £20 worse off per month.
Websites like Groupon and Wowcher are also a must-check for deals, while Quidco offers cashback on summer purchases.
"These deal sites offer great savings on everything from zoo tickets to family passes - we recently got a fantastic offer for Gulliver’s Kingdom”
When it comes to budget-friendly days out, Katy suggests Movies for Juniors.
"Most cinemas have discounted showings for kids during the summer. Adults get in for cheap too, so it’s a perfect way to beat the heat and enjoy a movie."
Bowling is another fun option, especially if you go early. "If you bowl before 11 am, many places offer half-price games. It’s a great way to keep the kids active without spending a lot." she said.
Finally, Katy emphasises the value of local, free activities.
"We love exploring parks and free museums in the West Midlands. There’s so much to do if you know where to look."
So, whether it's ninja courses or nature trails, Katy's tips prove that a little planning goes a long way when it comes to summer fun.
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Elsewhere, we share the little-known way Universal Credit households can get a one-off payment of up to £812 to help pay the bills.
Meanwhile, it's not just the kids you can keep happy this summer, The Sun shares five cheap date ideas so you can get the sparks flying this summer - without the hefty price tag.
Katy's Saves
Here are Katy's top saves for the summer:
Sun Superdays: Katy keeps an eye out for the Sun Superdays. The Superdays have helped millions of Sun readers enjoy fantastic days out with family and friends by giving away tickets to attractions like Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, Thorpe Park Resort and more and has saved Katy over £500.
Planet Offers: Katy recommends visiting Planet Offers for great deals and discounts on family outings - she saved £40 price at Ninja Warrior, where it is always half price per activity.
Quidco, Groupon and Wowcher: These money saving gems are also great to save your pennies on summer activities, Katy has saved £150 using these money saving sites. Expert Kara Gammel also recommends money saving sites and apps, particularly Quidco.
Movies for Juniors: Katy takes full advantage on cinema offers as she said most cinemas have offers for kids during the summer and cheap tickets for adults making it a great option for a day out.
Half price bowling: And lastly, look out for bowling deals. Saving over £30 per visit, Katy suggests looking out for bowling deals, as some places offer early discount offers where you can grab a meal too.
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