The summer months bring with them more than just BBQs and the occasional garden party.

Along with sunburns and overheating to worry about, you’ll also need to think about the pressure that summer puts on your budget and savings account. If you’re a parent with children to look after, months away from school can quickly mean that you run out of cash to keep your youngsters entertained.

Combine the price of paying for fun things to do each day with costs like potential holidays, money spent on extra snacks and more, and it’s easy to see why so many families lose track of their money during the hotter months of the year.

Fortunately, we can help you to regain control of your budget this summer.

1.     Ditch long-distance Travel

If you don’t have enough money in your savings to pay for a holiday abroad, then there’s a good chance you’re not going to be able to find the cash now. That means that you’re going to have to compromise and look for a cheaper way to have fun during the hotter months.

One option is to plan for a staycation instead of flying somewhere overseas. The less you have to pay for travel, the more money you’ll have to spend on things to keep your kids happy when you’re on your holiday.

Remember, you can have just as much fun camping in a new part of the UK as you can flying to a far-off destination. You can also remind your kids that saving more now means that you can potentially plan for a bigger holiday in the future.

2.     Consider your Options Carefully with Loans

If you can’t stand the idea of not going on holiday somewhere hot and sunny this year, then one way manage the expense is to take out a personal loan. This is likely to be a popular option for people who want to go on meaningful family holidays or attend family reunions.

If you do decide to take out an emergency loan, you’ll need to make sure that the cost of paying that money back doesn’t overwhelm your monthly budget. Ideally, you’ll want to have enough money left over each month that you can save towards your next holiday and make repayments. With that in mind, get online and compare the options you have for borrowing money from different loan companies.

If you’re sceptical about taking out a loan, you could make money online instead. If you’re trying to sell a few items, you could look at an online marketplace to make a profit. Where you’ve got one higher-priced possession you’re looking to part with, it’s important to make sure it’s valued fairly. If you’re trying to sell some jewellery, like a Richard Mille watch, simply search for ‘sell my Richard Mille watch’ and see who’s prepared to give you the best price.

3.     Track Down Free Things to Do

You’re far from the only parent wondering how you’re going to keep your kids entertained this summer. To help families accomplish more during the time that the schools are out, countless groups are offering free entertainment days across the country. A little bit of research is all it takes to find museum open days and other free entertainment that you can mark on your calendar.

Additionally, remember that there are plenty of cheap ways to have fun outside too. If the weather is great, get the kids to help you with some gardening, or go for an adventure in a local nature area. Visit the park and makeup some unique games or host a family movie day when the weather isn’t perfect.

4.     Leave the Plastic at Home

As parents, we often want to give our children everything they ask for. Unfortunately, most of us simply won’t be able to afford to do this. If you have trouble sticking to your “no” when your children are blubbering, consider leaving your credit and debit cards at home. This is a great way to ensure that you can’t give in and spend more on extra treats or entertainment when you can’t afford it.

Although it might be difficult to see your unhappy children when you stick to your guns at first, it will be worth it in the long-term. Not only will you save money, but you’ll teach your children a valuable lesson too.

5.     Open a New Savings Account

Finally, why not save yourself from future budgeting headaches by starting to save for next summer now? A dedicated savings account will keep a portion of your income safe for you each month. By dedicating a small amount of cash to this savings account, you can ensure that you’re ready for anything that you might want to do next summer, whether it’s throwing a huge birthday party or going on holiday.

If you don’t use all of the money you save during summer, you’ll also be able to get a head-start on saving for the festive period too!