Saving for a Family Holiday Abroad: Tips for Mums on a Tight Budget

Planning a family holiday abroad can seem like a luxury, especially when you’re on a tight budget. It took us four years to be able to go on our first family holiday. Admittedly, the first two years were interrupted by Covid and we spent those four years prioritising saving for our house. But with careful planning and smart saving strategies, it’s possible to enjoy a memorable trip without breaking the bank. Here’s how you can save up for a family holiday, find great travel deals, and make the most of your vacation without overspending.

1. Set a Clear Savings Goal

The first step is to determine how much your holiday will cost. Consider all expenses, including flights, accommodation, food, activities, and spending money. Once you have a rough estimate, break down the total amount into monthly or weekly savings targets. For example, if your holiday will cost £2,000 and you plan to go in a year, you’ll need to save around £167 per month.

I have spoken before about sinking funds, but this is a great way to get saving. I would also save a couple of hundred more than you think you need. We spent way more on our holiday then we anticipated. Although, we were self-catering, so I think will an all-inclusive you can suss our a budget much easier. But its inevitable the kids will want buckets, spades, inflatables etc. So make sure you have planned for those extra charges.

Make sure to factor in money needed outside the time you are on holiday too. For example, we needed to purchase new swimming stuff, swimming toys, a floaty vest, dresses, shorts etc... We easily spent a few hundred before we had even got to the airport.

2. Know where your money is coming and going from

This is a budgeting essential really, but I always tell people to make sure they have a spreadsheet and are tracking their income and outgoings! The FREE app SNOOP actually does this for you automatically. Or you can set up a simple excel spreadsheet. I make sure I am regularly checking how much I am spending, you'll be surprised at what areas you are spending too much in.

4. Take Advantage of Cashback and Reward Schemes

Sign up for cashback websites like Quidco and earn money back on everyday purchases, which you can then transfer to your holiday fund. Additionally, you can also book flights, hotels, insurance etc through them and get even more cashback. 5. Find the

5.Best Travel Deals

Finding affordable flights and accommodation is key to staying within your budget. Here’s how to get the best deals:

• Book Flights in Advance: The earlier you book, the better the deals you’re likely to find. Aim to book flights 6-12 months ahead of your planned departure date.
• Be Flexible with Dates and Destinations: If possible, avoid peak travel times like school holidays. Flying midweek, early in the morning, or late at night can also result in cheaper fares. Use tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner to compare prices across different dates and destinations.
• Sign Up for Fare Alerts: Set up fare alerts on travel websites so you’ll be notified when prices drop. This way, you can book at the best possible price.
• Consider Budget Airlines: Don’t overlook budget airlines like Ryanair, EasyJet, or Wizz Air. While they may have fewer frills, they can offer significant savings, especially for short-haul flights.

I do just want to touch on the obvious that most of us will be flying during the school holidays, which is just when prices hike up! I am certainly not adverse to the idea of taking them out of school for a week, after all, they gain so much from the experience. However, due to the stricter penalties that is no longer an option for us. As an ex-teacher, I cannot risk the mark on my DBS record incase I need to go back to teaching. But don't forget, you can take children out of school/nursery with no penalty until the term AFTER they turn five. Luckily for me, having a summer baby paid off!

My four year old played and played. His speech came on leaps and bounds! I still can't quite get over how much he got from our holiday.

6. Look for Family-Friendly Accommodation

Accommodation is often one of the biggest expenses on a family holiday. To save money:

• Stay in Self-Catering Apartments or Villas: Self-catering options allow you to prepare your own meals, saving money on dining out. Websites like Airbnb or Vrbo offer a range of family-friendly options.
• Consider All-Inclusive Resorts: While they may seem more expensive upfront, all-inclusive resorts can be cost-effective when

We did self-catering this time, and we have decided that we will be doing all-inclusive in the future. Not only to reduce stress, but we worked out it would be much better value for money. We cooked in the apartment a lot, but even getting to the local supermarket, getting back for meal times, cooking etc was not what we wanted to do on holiday! Plus, when we did eat out, we ended up spending near to £100 each time. So all-inclusive will work out much better for us.

There's something not so relaxing about eating a slightly burnt pizza that you've had to cook yourself whilst on holiday!

6. SIDE HUSTLE TO SAVE

You might want to earn some extra pennies by doing surveys too which can help chip away at that total. You might remember my £1000 side hustle saving challenge, We went around various local summer fayres and sold things like keyrings, plushies, fidget toys etc. We made £1000 profit which went towards our holiday funds! Just bare in mind, that once you earn over £1000 from side hustles, you will need to sign up to HMRC and register as self-employed.

Final Thoughts

A family holiday abroad doesn’t have to be out of reach, even on a tight budget. With careful planning, savvy saving, and a willingness to be flexible, you can create lasting memories without breaking the bank. Start saving early, look for deals, and remember that some of the best experiences—I cannot express the amount my four year old gained from our holiday, I even felt bad that we had never taken him before (which is ridiculous but mum guilt hey!). Happy Saving and Happy Travels everyone!