Dig out those outrageous Hawaiian swim shorts or bikinis and wince once again at that out-dated passport photo because the summer months are here and that can only mean one thing – time for a much-needed holiday!

Image courtesy of Devon
Everybody loves holidays, but whether you fancy a fortnight in Scarborough or Sardinia, the cost of going away can soon get out of control as you loosen those purse strings a little too much. So, here at peazyshop, we’ve put together a handy-sized set of hints to help you save a few pounds on everything from buying family travel insurance before you go to getting good value for money while you’re away.

Net gains
Instant savings on the nuts and bolts of your holiday – travel insurance, flights, accommodation and car hire etc. – are just a few clicks away. Gone are the days when you’d blindly pay over the odds because it’s now a buyer’s market for pretty much anything that you can purchase online. While booking in advance is a good way of securing decent discounts, there’s also a lot to be said for biding your time and trying to net yourself some great last-minute deals, although it’s not for everyone. And the Internet is not just a handy tool to save you money before you go as it can also come in extremely useful once you’ve reached your destination when you want reduced entry to any major attractions or discount codes and vouchers for restaurants and bars. If you’re prudent with the pennies at home then why change your tried-and-trusted method when on holiday?

Opt for self-catering accommodation
Food is a huge drain on your holiday funds. Unless, of course, you’re heading to a county like America where it’s notoriously cheap and the portion sizes are humungous. You may want a break from cooking while away, but think of the positive financial impact of preparing at least a couple of your daily meals, especially if you’ve got a few hungry mouths to feed. Dining out three times a day will soon get boring, not to mention expensive. Cooking your own meals using fresh local ingredients is both convenient and easy on the pocket.

Get back to basics
Travel during your holiday is another expense that can in some cases be reduced if you’re able to opt for cheaper modes of transport or walk if possible. Providing it’s safe to do so, walking is a good source of exercise and can offer the perfect way to explore a city like, say, London or New York rather than hopping on the Tube or Subway system, both of which can work out costly if they’re used repeatedly over a few days.

Be shrewd when changing currency
There used to be a time when heading to either mainland Europe or America meant you got plenty of foreign currency in exchange for your pounds and pence. Alas, this is no longer the case, so you need to be shrewd about when and where you change your money. Exchange bureaus in airports, for instance, take advantage of the fact that you may have left it to the last minute and offer a pitiful rate of exchange. Also, try to avoid being stung by ATM withdrawal charges once you’re abroad by instead purchasing a prepaid currency card like the Caxton FX, which is free and means you can keep a tighter control over your finances.
Budget, budget and budget some more

It’s that dreaded ‘b’ word again. Even if you’re not the most organised of people it pays to adopt a sensible approach to money before and during a holiday to ensure you don’t end up getting yourself in debt to the tune of hundreds and possibly thousands of pounds. Plan for what you think you’ll need and then start saving like your financial wellbeing depends on it.