Money Saving Tips to Boost a Holiday Budget

LONDON, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

As the summer months draw closer, holidaymakers across the country are dusting off their suitcases and looking forward to their annual sunshine getaway. More and more Brits are looking to cheap holiday deals to get more for their money whilst away, but there's also a range of ways to save cash at home before getting to the airport.

Getting Around

Families saving for Florida holiday packages will be feeling the pinch of high fuel prices at the moment. Checking tyre pressures and cleaning air filters regularly can help to boost the fuel efficiency of a car and lower the weekly cost of ferrying the kids around. Moreover the AA warns that not only does a car with under-inflated tyres cost more to run; it's also harder to control on the roads. The longer spring and summer days are the perfect time to ditch the car and get some fresh air by walking to school and work.

Post-Hose Pipe Ban

The recent spring storms may have boosted UK water supplies, but it's still a great time to conserve water in the home to save on utility bills. Brits saving for holidays to Rhodes this summer should consider taking 'navy' showers, which involves switching off the water whilst scrubbing and shampooing. Many water companies also offer single setting showerheads and 'showersave' gadgets to help economise on water.

Save on calls

A mobile phone contract has almost become mandatory in this country, but many people may be paying for more minutes and texts than they actually use. Bills coming in at around £50 a month works out at about £1000 of an annual salary, so reducing a tariff to £35 will boost a holiday budget by £180. Friends looking forward to cheap Cyprus holidays this summer can chat online rather than on the phone for an easy way to cut down on monthly bills.

Cut down on food waste

Planning ahead is a quick way to shrink the cost of the weekly shop. Holidaymakers should dig out the cookery books for summer recipe ideas then note all the ingredients on a shopping list. Lovefoodhatewaste.com is a handy tool to help work out the exact amounts of various ingredients needed for a particular meal, whilst mysupermarket.co.uk will reveal which major supermarket can give the best online deal.

Cancel the gym membership

Dark and cold mornings are a thing of the best, so it's time to move the fitness regime from the treadmill to the street. Running home from work will also help to both reduce travel costs and burn calories for a better beach body.

SOURCE Direct Holidays