How to stay money-savvy this summer

The summer is all about having fun, coming together, and enjoying the good weather, which is (hopefully) coming our way but as always, we are going to show you how to do it all with little cash!

Go Camping

Camping, although not everyone’s cup of tea, is a great way to get away from home, visit new places and enjoy the outdoors and what’s more, it can be super cheap.

• Borrow or rent equipment – We all know at least one person who owns a tent! If you don’t have all the gear and need it for a single trip, ask around and see who wouldn’t mind lending you the kit. Alternatively, you can hire tents for next to nothing, and some companies will even pitch them for you!
• Shop around for the best tent – If you’re planning several camping trips, it might be more cost-effective to buy one, but that doesn’t mean it’ll cost you a fortune. Don’t shop new, search for second-hand or refurbished tents which will be just as protective and comfortable but at a fraction of the price.
• Find the best pitches – There are thousands of places to pitch your tent across the UK, most of which are super cheap. We recommend booking your slot well in advance and making sure there are toilets and showers nearby.
• Do your own cooking – If you want to get into the true spirit of camping, we recommend doing your own cooking. You’ll need to purchase some kind of stove or BBQ, but you can buy them relatively cheap online (or like borrowing a tent, see if anyone you know wouldn’t mind lending you one).
• If camping isn’t for you, take a Staycation – The outdoors might not be your ‘thing’, but you can still enjoy a budget family holiday in the UK. Check our guide to Staycations here.

Visit an English Heritage Site

With hundreds of locations across the UK, visiting an English Heritage site is a budget-friendly way to spend the day in the sun. Including castles, ancient ruins, parks and many more picturesque places, there’s something for everyone and the chances are, there’s a site right on your doorstep. Remember, some places require tickets, but you can find out everything you need to know here.

Use the summer to save some money

The cost of living has already gone up but as we all know, larger rises are coming in October, and we need to prepare for it. The warmer months provide an opportunity to cut down on costs, including energy, travel and much more. If like many, you want to enjoy summer and can put some money aside, read our guide on how to save money and make the strain of the winter months a little lighter.  Here’s a small taster:

• Make sure you’re claiming the right benefits – whether your circumstances have changed, or you haven’t checked in a while, make sure you’re claiming what you’re entitled to, you could earn hundreds more every year. If you didn’t already know, the government have recently changed the eligibility of selected schemes, meaning you could get your hands on some extra cash if you fall into the category. Check to see what you’re owed via our benefits calculator.
• Make the most of free activities – Not everything costs and luckily, there’s plenty to do in the UK that won’t cost you a penny. Rather than dishing out cash for activities, take advantage of free attractions across the country – you can find a big selection of them here.
• Save your petrol and cycle – Petrol prices are astronomical at the minute, so we if it’s possible, why not dust the cobwebs off your bike and cycle more. While the weather is lighter and warmer, it’s the perfect opportunity to cut down the cost of fuel and just enjoy the outdoors more.