Holidays are key to a balanced family life; however they don’t need to come with a massive cost. Here are a few different ideas for holiday fun that’ll keep the whole family smiling.
• Create a budget – and stick to it
Set aside time to do some holiday budget planning – including determining how much you want to allocate to your trip, and how it will be spent. Be realistic and don’t be afraid to include a few special treats – it’s a holiday after all.
• Do your research
There’s loads of different websites that offer cheap holiday ideas and discount family packages – so it pays to do some research before you decide on location and duration. Also, prices can be seasonal. Accommodation and flights to the Gold Coast, for example, are usually cheaper around the September school holidays than in December, and the weather is still quite warm at this time. Local places like museums, aquariums, fun parks and bowling alleys also offer discounts for families, so it’s worth checking out what’s on offer.
When booking accommodation, opt for apartments over hotels. They are generally cheaper – especially if you’re planning to stay for a period of time – plus they include in-room cooking facilities so you can alternate between eating out and dining in. Also check out websites like lastminute.com.au and wotif.com.au, which can offer some excellent last minute deals.
• A penny saved...
Encourage your kids to get back in touch with nature. Beaches and national parks offer great activities, like picnics, bird watching, bush walking, and swimming. And best of all... It’s free!
Alternatively, you can simply take the family for a drive – you never know where you’ll end up. And with a basket full of goodies and car activities for the kids, it’s sure to be a day to remember.
The ultimate goal of going on a holiday is to spend quality time with your family; just keep to budget to avoid a holiday credit card hangover in the months following.
