Prepare your budget now for the December school holidays
Parents should start saving now to ensure that their children are kept safely stimulated over the summer holidays.
December may seem far away, but for budget-conscious parents, it will arrive far too soon.
As if the rising costs of school fees, uniforms, books, and sports equipment weren’t enough to put a dent in struggling parents’ budgets, school holidays often entail paying for school camps, activities, or holidays.
“Even ‘stay-cations’ can put extra strain on a tight monthly budget,” says Martin Janse van Rensburg, spokesman for Budget Insurance. “A trip to the movies, for example, can be costly – and that’s before the kids’ pile on the popcorn and cold drinks.”
Instead of waiting until the weather warms up to start thinking about and planning for the December holidays, Janse van Rensburg advises parents to start thinking about and planning for them now.
“By the time spring arrives, you should have finalised your plans for December, as well as your budget.” He advises parents to begin saving now in order to keep their children safe and stimulated during the summer holiday. After all, the more the kids have to do, the more likely it is that their parents will get a few moments of rest at the end of the year.
Janse van Rensburg also suggests the 7 following money-saving tips:
- Allow older children to earn their own holiday spending money in December. Make a chore chart and reward them for completing each task successfully. Encourage teenagers in high school to work part-time at a local supermarket. This will also assist in instilling in them the value of a hard-won rand.
- For a quick getaway, look into some of the nearby “hidden gem” destinations. Even an hour outside of town will provide a welcome change of pace without breaking the bank.
- Family camping trips can be a lot of (sometimes messy) fun. They’re cheap, and being away from smartphones, tablets, televisions, and the Internet may even help siblings overcome rivalry.
- If you prefer hotels to tents, book ahead of time and compare prices online to get the best deal.
- If your bank offers rewards or points, see if you qualify for any and if you can use them to get discounts on plane tickets, hotel stays, or gifts during the holidays.
- Examine your own monthly budget in the months and weeks leading up to the December school holidays. Use an app or a spreadsheet to analyse which monthly costs can be reduced or eliminated.
- If you want to save money, don’t cancel your insurance. If you or your children’s phone or tablet is stolen while on vacation, replacing it on your own can be very costly.
