How to save money this summer

Summer is here! While it's a season of fun and adventure for some families, it can also mean higher bills for many – two-fifths of parents say they’re worried about the costs of the summer holidays.

What parents worry about most

Almost half of parents (43%) said they’re worried about the higher costs that come with having the kids at home for six weeks. as well as the extra costs of preparing to go back in September.

And more than one in 10 (13%) said they’re concerned about putting food on the table and paying for their utility bills.

Research by the Salvation Army and YouGov found:

• 50% are concerned about the cost of school uniforms
• 29% worry about affording food, especially with reliance on free school meals during term time
• 25% of working parents are anxious about food expenses
• 19% of working parents are concerned about taking unpaid leave

Most parents (55%) said cheaper school uniforms would help ease financial strain, while 53% said they’d benefit from lower childcare costs. And 46% said food vouchers or extra cash, or benefits that cover living costs would help.

Help for parents

Thankfully, having the kids at home doesn’t have to mean being out of pocket if you’re struggling to afford the essentials.

Back to school

Going back to school in September can be expensive, with school uniform costs being the outgoing parents are most worried about.

The vast majority of parents (97%) we spoke to last year were worried about being able to afford new uniform, with 11% saying they would have to borrow to cover the cost and the same proportion saying they’d rely on second-hand clothing.

If you’re worried, find out if you can get support, such as grants and second-hand uniform schemes to help ease costs.

Electricity

Having the kids at home can really drive up electricity bills, especially if they’re avid gamers.

Save on costs by:

• setting daily screen time limits for TV and other devices
• encouraging outdoor activities to reduce their energy usage indoors
• using energy efficient LED bulbs – they’re more expensive upfront but they use a fraction of the electricity and last much longer too, meaning more savings in the long run
• turning off any electronics not in use – you could save £65 each year just by switching off ‘vampire devices’ at the plug socket (games consoles are one of the biggest culprits for using energy even when in standby mode)

Water bills

Getting your teenager into the shower might seem like an impossible task some days – and getting them out can be even harder. With the whole family likely to be taking more showers thanks to the sticky heat, try these tips to cut down on your water bills:

• keep an eye on how much water your family is using – can any of you cut down on how long you’re in the shower, or turn it off when you’re soaping up?
• install water-saving fixtures, e.g. low-flow shower heads and taps to reduce your water use
• limit hosepipe use – if you have space, invest in a water butt to collect rain for watering your plants on hot days
• consider a water meter – if you don’t use that much water, a water meter could be cheaper for you. If you get benefits and have a water meter (or are thinking about getting one), you might be eligible for support through the WaterSure scheme.

Childcare

The cost of summer clubs and care programmes can quickly add up. Look into the help that’s available from schemes like England’s holiday activities and food (HAF) programme, tax-free childcare and the household support fund.

You can also team up with other families to take turns providing childcare or check local community centres or the Salvation Army for affordable or free activities.

Lieutenant Colonel Nick Coke from the Salvation Army says: “We want children to not just survive the summer holidays, but to thrive. That’s why we offer summer camps, playgroups, and other activities to help kids enjoy their time off and give parents a much-needed break.”

Mobile phone bills

Kids’ phone usage can lead to unexpected charges. Avoid being caught out with these strategies:

• regularly check data usage to avoid extra fees
• set your phone up to get notifications when nearing data limits
• explore family mobile plans with unlimited data to manage costs effectively

Food costs

More meals at home can increase grocery bills, especially as kids always seem to be hungry.

But extra mouths don’t have to mean extra expenses:

• use food banks in your local area – contact your nearest Trussell Trust food bank to see who can issue you with a voucher
• buy non-perishable or store cupboard ingredients in bulk where possible as it’s usually cheaper
• take advantage of sales, coupons and loyalty programmes to cut grocery costs
• many supermarkets allow also kids to eat for cheap or free in the summer holidays – we’ve pulled together all the best offers

Making your money go further

We’ve also got loads of other money saving tips to help your funds go further, and additional ways to increase your income and reduce your bills.

But it might be time to ask for help if the summer holidays are going to make it hard for you to make ends meet.

We can help you with everything from budgeting to making sure you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to, as well as advising you on debt solutions (some are free, for others there’s a fee).

All of our debt advice is free and impartial, and you can access it online 24/7 or over the phone during our office hours - 0161 518 8285.