Holiday planning is intimately tied to efficient budgeting. Whether you are considering a ferry across the Irish Sea for a weekend getaway in Scotland or something a little farther away, planning for the financial necessities of your upcoming trip is essential to full enjoyment. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to save on the little things in order to make this more accomplishable.
Switch your energy suppliers
Electricity prices are incredibly negotiable. Because of the competition to provide the best rate, suppliers are constantly slashing their prices in order to undercut each other, but as a current customer, you don’t get to take full advantage of these routinely fluctuating prices. However, this is still great news for you. You are able to change suppliers nearly anytime you’d like by simply calling up a company and asking for a quote, and they do all the legwork to get you changed over. This means that you have access to the best price on the market at any given time. A quick Google search of electricity providers in your area such as “compare electricity prices NI” can offer you a list of various potential companies to choose form.
If you can compare prices in changing seasonal months, you’re well on your way to increasing your savings. We all know the added expense during winter months. Your home must be heated at a near-constant rate while water and lighting are working overtime as the sunlight hours wane. Residential customers often see their bills double or triple during these colder months, and while you may rely on your home’s heating for much of the year, the price offered by many suppliers also increases during these peak usage months – lifting your overall bill even higher. Switching suppliers to take advantage of the best rates available can save you an average of £300 a year, according to Ofgem (the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) and you could reinvest them if you buy Bitcoin with debit card to increase your profit even more.
Do your household projects on your own
Instead of hiring a professional to fix the drain or wash the windows, climb up on the ladder and do it yourself. Taking on these home improvement projects can save you a pretty penny over the course of the year. Added to your energy reduction, these savings could pay for a holiday on their own. By tackling these projects around the home you will also improve your general mood – especially during the colder half of the year. Home improvement, crafting, or building projects can be simple or highly technical, but regardless, you likely have the skills necessary to complete the job yourself.
Start small with IKEA furniture or cutting the grass and then work your way up to larger or heavier tasks like buying the coal yourself instead of having it delivered. Most tasks around the house do not require extensive knowledge as you won’t often have to replace a window or patch a hole in the roof. Becoming self-reliant in the household tasks that crop up weekly or monthly can save you a good few quid, allowing for far greater financial stability over the long term.
Consider package holidays
A package deal holiday along a tranquil coastline is surely a “site for shore eyes” – pun intended! A sun holiday across the Atlantic in America or in the European islands of Greece can cost you a boatload if you book the individual parts yourself. But bundling the holiday as one purchase can get you a great bargain on both flights and hotels. Consider all-inclusive as well. These are package deals that save you money while adding in your meals and drinks so all you have to do is show up at the airport you’re taken care of right from the get-go. Package holidays are especially handy for those with demanding work schedules as the booking process is super easy. Simply book it and begin the countdown.
Savings are not hard to come by – you just have to know where to look. Evaluate your budget and cut out major costs in order to add the funds for a holiday right from your savings.