Have you had fun on holiday with very tight budget?

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I booked a beach holiday when i could afford it. In the couple of years since my income has dropped considerably. I don't want to cancel as the children are looking forward to it and, like many, a number of trips have been cancelled the past two years.

It'll be a very different holiday than planned. Maybe only a couple of evenings of proper eating out - and relaxing rather than trips.

Have others made this work on very tight budget?

Exploring rock pools and swimming in the sea should take up a fair amount of time. As should laying by the pool. Plus 1 - 2 days sightseeing and or walking around markets/shopping.

Beach and inflatables from home is a great tip. It's bed and breakfast so I don't have self catering facilities but planning on picnic bread cheese fruit on balcony some evenings and then evening walk for ice cream.

in three days he spent £1 because nothing was important enough for him to waste his own money on! Yes it's funny how different the decisions are when they have their own money!!

Good to be reminded enjoying time together doesn't need to involve spending lots. I made the mistake of googling holiday budget advice and panicked!

Eating out at lunchtime or takeaways rather than restaurant food is often cheaper than in the evening.

Will you have a wheelie case with you that you could repurpose as a shopping trolley to help you get groceries from a supermarket? Do some research into whether there's a decent looking supermarket or greengrocer/market within walking distance.

Make your own sandwiches, buy ready made pizza and pasta, also ice creams and drinks from the supermarket. Don't pay cafe, restaurant or convenience store prices for these items.

Ask friends or family if they have any beach mats/inflatables that you could borrow. Also take a cool bag and ice packs if you can fit them in your luggage so you can take food and drinks to the beach.

Is there any way you can earn extra money between now and the holiday? Overtime, school holiday informal childcare (also reciprocal share with a friend for yours to save having to pay for yours), sell any possessions you don't use.

At that age my two would have been delighted if we stayed by the pool and the beach rather than go on 'boring' excursions. Get them some inflatables if they are allowed and just let them enjoy the sun, sea and beach!

Definitely evening balcony picnics. I prefer those to restaurant evening meals and would rather eat out at lunchtime.

Even though its B&B, you might get a small fridge in the room, so useful for drinks etc.

Take a few card game's and travel games and do games and nibbles on the balcony after evening stroll.
It will be a lovely holiday.

Kids definitely wont be bothered about eating out it's adults that look forward to that. I would buy water pistols , water toys in this country - Poundland - that will save you being ripped off .

Take all the suncream you need with you (buy after security at the airport if you're short of luggage space). It's usually very expensive in Greece. Basic supermarket versions are absolutely fine.

If bed and breakfast encourage the kids to eat loads then so they won't want or need much lunch. Also pinch what you can from the buffet. It's easy to make some sandwiches for later or grab some fruit snacks.

Does the hotel do half board? If so see how much it is to upgrade. Often it will be cheaper to do that than eat out

Yes to this, get a decent factor one that is waterproof if you can and apply lots of it. Own brands are fine but take enough.

The sprays are usually rubbish, get a lotion

See where you can get to on a local bus, e.g a trip to a neighbouring village or beach. Or the island / regional main town.

Hi doesn’t matter that it’s bed and breakfast. You can still find a local supermarket and get picnic stuff - fresh bread etc. Pack picnic stuff and beach things. Also start looking up local restaurants rather than tourist much cheaper. It is only Greece so there will always be something the kids can eat. They are the best age for a cheap holiday.

@BigSandyBalls2015

Greece is super cheap for food and drink.

Is it? Still?

The Gyros Pita , Greek street food. Gorgeous.

I don’t know if by beach holiday you mean uk or abroad- both very doable but different advice !

Wow I wrote that a long time ago

Bit different than you as we are currently on holiday in the UK but similar situation. We're having a great time!

We booked a week at a Haven park for the Easter holidays for me, DP and DD4 and DD4m - when we booked it we were doing ok financially and planning lots of day trips and to eat out for every meal. Reality is DD2 arrived and I'm on SMP so we are quite skint. Holiday was already paid for but we didn't have much spare but we didn't want to cancel because 4 year old was so excited. It's actually been lovely, despite shitty weather.

We've done lots of nature walks, shell collecting on the beach, splashing in rivers and the sea. We did a full weekly shop in LIDL when we arrived for £80 and that's done us for the week. It's a Haven park so we've booked on to a lot of the free activities, swimming, and watched some shows - I hope there would be something similar abroad depending where you're staying? - and we've actually spent very little, I think £60 on additional activities for DD, £30 on petrol to get here and £40 on one meal out and one burger king. It's been lovely and we go home tomorrow

My kids love a beach holiday, we have to drag them off the beach. Eating out twice is absolutely fine.

We have a week at Centre Parcs booked for Easter and are doing the same, only eating out a couple of times. That doesn't even have a beach/hot weather but they'll be happy being somewhere different and swimming (a lot!)

I really wouldn't worry op.

And yes definitely take them to the supermarket, great fun picking a few unusual snacks!

Be hungry at breakfast so you can make the most of it, and eat a substantial meal. You'll be less hungry during the day

You will have a wonderful holiday

Take spending money and prepaid cards. Try not to use credit cards and debit cards

Be very organised when packing to make sure you don't forget stuff, then need to buy it there.
Having to fork out for overpriced sunhat/goggles/sun lotion/arm bands/spade / anorak etc while on holiday can add up!

I think that a beach holiday with kids is possible to do cheaply, because the sea and the sand is free once you are there! Picnic lunches are nice, and kids often prefer cheaper meals out (eg pizza or McDonalds over a posh seafood restaurant).

Don't forget to pack swimsuits!

For fun you can do a treasure hunt around the complex / area after a couple of days exploring - or of things found on the beach.

In years to come it'll be a very small, insignificant thing that they'll say was the best bit of the whole holiday. Hope you have a wonderful time.

I think we feel like we have to keep the kids entertained 24/7 but my daughter is happiest when l let her chill out and do her own thing.