For years, economists have talked about the the great wealth divide in the UK. In the wake of the great recession, it was even estimated that the richest 10% of the UK population were more than 100 times as wealthy as the poorest 10% of society.
While circumstances have improved slightly since then, the UK is still besieged by stagnant earnings and the rising cost of living. With this in mind, families can find it hard to save for holidays abroad and popular travelling options such as cruising, creating significant challenges that are difficult to overcome.
3 Ways in Which You Can Save for a Family Cruise
To negate these issues, you will need to invest in practical and proactive ways of saving your money and making it go further. For example: –
Save Money on Everyday Expenditure
Whenever you look to save, there is a tendency to focus on the elimination of big-ticket items. Not only is this counter-productive, but it also becomes completely impractical when you are actually saving for a big ticket purchase such as a cruise.
Instead, focus your efforts on reducing the cost of everyday expenses such as groceries, fuel and utilities. This will have a gradual but cumulative impact on your savings, enabling you to retain more cash and make long-term changes to your lifestyle.
Seek Out Last-minute Deals to Affordable Locations
If there are two watchwords that will enable you to save when booking a family holiday, they are flexibility and compromise. The former will enable you to shop around and patiently identify the most affordable, last-minute deals.
In terms of compromise, this refers to your chosen location and the precise time that you decide to travel. Cruises to regions in Europe tend to be cheaper, for example, while trips outside of the school holidays are also more affordable so long as they can be arranged.
Embrace the Thrift Market
Having originated in the U.S., the thrift market has expanded across the globe and now represents huge business in the UK. Sites such as eBay and Amazon (alongside specialist thrift outlets) now offer us a unique opportunity to market, sell and monetise our unwanted goods, delivering additional income that can be committed to savings.
Just bear in mind that patience is crucial in this market, as is your ability to present your goods in the best possible light. These attributes can set you up well, however, and make it possible to develop a brand new income stream to fund your summer holiday plans!
Hoping to find a last minute deal for a holiday this year – saving the pennies already x
Well done on the saving, hope you get a great deal x
Some fantastic tips here. We are forgoing a holiday this year so that we can buy a house on the outskirts of London instead 🙂 some of these tips will still come in handy!
It’s always good to find ways to save, good luck with the house purchase xx
I save for holidays by buying a pre-pay card like the Fairfx and topping up when I can. Some great tips here, I am doing a car boot sale soon to save towards a holiday.
I haven’t heard of Fairfx but that sounds like a great way to do it x
Great tips, we are saving for a last min holiday after Christmas x
Ooh hope you find somewhere nice x
Fab tips we definitely need to do more selling and monetising our unwanted goods and skills! Then we can finally start saving up that cash! Would love to go on a cruise too!
I’m terrible at procrastinating when it comes to selling, we have loads that could be monetised but just need to find the time to do it x
I really need to have a clear out and this post has made me think I need to do it for some spending money! We are going on a cruise in the summer for the blog and need some spending money. Great tips x
So exciting, get clearing out and you’ll soon have that spending money x
Some helpful tips, problem is with 4 children, I am already pretty savvy at picking out bargains and cost cutting, just to get through the week.
I love the idea of a cruise, but not with my children, for I have a fear of children and water.
I hope one day when my brood have grown up and old enough to fend for themselves, then I will get the chance to experience a cruise, it gives me plenty of time to try to save, if everything else doesn’t crop up in the meantime.
This year we will be doing day trips and maybe go camping, but in a few years who knows.
Great tips, thank you for sharing.
I know how you feel, we have four children also so you have to be on top of your finances don’t you. I would love to try a cruise one day x
We are off on a cruise this year and it is also worth pointing out that there are a lot of added extras when you are onboard
Oooh so exciting for you, I bet you can’t wait – have an amazing time x
I love cruising – I can’t wait to go again. Trouble is I am useless at saving money! I really need to form a plan. Kaz x
Good luck with the plan (and the cruise) x