As summer winds down get your finances looking up for the August Bank Holiday — plus get a free fiver
DON’T break the bank this Bank Holiday – use it to get your finances in order.
The extra day off gives you time to make small changes that will save you big money.
If you can’t resist getting out and about, there are lots of ways to do it without spending too much.
We have teamed up with Natasha-Rachel Smith, consumer affairs editor at , to bring you her Bank Holiday savings tips for staying in and heading out.
Natasha says: “By making some small changes, you can get in a much better financial position in just a couple of days.”
Staying in
Look back: Go through your bank statements and work out where money is going. Calculate how much is being spent on essentials, on luxury purchases and what is left.
Make a budget: Take a few hours to create a plan. Include everything and be honest and realistic.
Try to follow the 50/30/20 budget plan — 50 per cent of your finances on essentials such as rent; 30 per cent for “wants” like haircuts and nights out; and 20 per cent going into a savings account or getting rid of debt.
Check direct debits: Each month Brits waste £448million on subscriptions we are not using. Cancel anything you no longer need or aren’t getting value from.
Check credit score: Make sure you don’t have any negative points against your name. Ensuring addresses are correct and you are on the electoral register will boost your credit score too. You can look for free at .
Switch: Energy, phones, insurance, broadband, TV . . . there is always a better deal! Households who switch save £325 a year on average.
Going out
Swap house: Whether swapping with a pal or on a house-swapping site, this can be a cheap way to explore a new city or seaside resort.
Book in advance: Booking tickets for attractions and days out in advance, even if only the day before, can save you lots of money on “walk-up” prices.
Pack lunch: Eating out is often the most expensive part of a day out, so take your own grub.
Check for deals: Look out for kids-go-free deals and offers at attractions and days out.
Keep tickets: Some attractions offer a free return policy within 12 months of a valid ticket being issued and used. Check and keep tickets safe to use them again. It is effectively another day out for free.
- MORE than half of parents paid their kids cash for good GCSE grades, says . Teens getting top grades pocketed a hefty £300 on average, with £200 for Bs or equivalent and £100 for C-equivalents.
MOST READ IN MONEY
Fancy a free fiver?
YOU can get FREE cash with super Sun Savers just for buying your favourite paper.
Our brilliant new rewards club, which launched this week, will pay back our most loyal readers.
Just pick up the paper each day to collect your Sun Savers codes and we will GIVE YOU £5 when you have collected 28.
This isn’t a one-off and there is no limit to how much cash you can save.
For every 28 codes you enter, we will give you a fiver. So over the course of a year, that could add up to £65.
We are keeping it super-simple. You don’t have to enter codes from consecutive days, so don’t worry if you forget a day or two.
In fact, it is completely up to you how much you save.
Download our easy Sun Savers app and quickly scan your code using your smartphone. Or go online and enter your code at .
What is Sun Savers? Here's everything you need to know about our new rewards club
To get you on your way, join today and we will put a bonus £1 in your Sun Savers wallet tomorrow. And the good news doesn’t stop with free cash.
With Sun Savers, we give you the best hacks, deals and tips to save money every single day.
TO JOIN: Don’t worry, folks — joining takes just 30 seconds, in three steps.
All we’ll ask of you is your name, your date of birth and an email address to get you on the way to your first crisp fiver.
You can choose to save or cash out straight to your bank account or instantly with Paypal.
Don’t delay — join Sun Savers now!
WE BUST THE MYTHS ABOUT SUN SAVERS
- It’s not real cash. It will just be vouchers or points. WRONG! It IS real cash.
- You have to enter the codes on consecutive days. WRONG! Each code is valid for FIVE weeks, enter them whenever you want.
- It’s a one-off promotion. WRONG!Sun Savers is for ever.
- It’s just a joining offer. WRONG! You get a fiver for EVERY 28 codes you enter.
- It’s not for me as I only buy the paper a couple of times a week. WRONG! It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get to 28 codes, you will still get the fiver.
- There will be lots of hoops to jump through, lots of catches. WRONG! Register with just your name, email and date of birth, start entering your codes and you are good to go.
- It will take ages to receive the fiver. WRONG! Just link your bank account and the money will be in your account within three to five working days. Or do it via Paypal and get it INSTANTLY.
Hear Echo for less at Amazon
SAVE BIG: Amazon’s #ShopTheFuture deals event begins today. Offers include the Amazon Echo in black, down from £149.99 to £99.99.
SAVE: £50
SAVE SMALL: Bubble your money. Bargain Booze is selling the “I Heart Prosecco” Magnum for just £10.99. Offer ends Sunday August 27.
SAVE: £3.01 on the cheapest magnum elsewhere
Put the squeeze on toothpaste
JOHN McKENZIE, a Sun reader from Greenock, Inverclyde, says: “Don’t throw out old toothpaste tubes. Cut along the bottom and you’ll get a few more days use.”
Send your tip to [email protected] and you’ll get 28 codes worth £5 if it is used. Please include your name and town.
Tickets to the Manor born
DRAYTON Manor has a half-price ticket flash sale today.
On-the-day adult prices (12+) drop from £39 to £19.50, while children and concession tickets (under-11s) are from £14.50, down from £29.
Terms and conditions apply. See .
- PRICES correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.