To think I'm not the only one who has spent too much..:

[notgivingin789]

On this summer holiday !

DS and I had a great summer, we didn't go abroad but went to many places/ travelling up and and down and all of this came up to £££££.

Now I'm regretting it, school is only a couple of days away. But I've literally just spent the remaining of my money on DS uniform/ school bits and I don't have much money left...just enough for the bills and shopping till I next get paid.

Is it just me ? As speaking to my friends, it seems like it is!

Don't regret it. It sounds like you had a great time! Tighten your belt for a bit and you'll be back to normal soon. And it sounds like you've got all expenses covered.

I always spend more over the holidays. I spend about twice as much as I normally do on food for a start. Days out, treats etc. I'm looking forward to spending a lot less over the next couple of months as DC will be in school.

They are in school most of the time so if you had a good summer together and you aren't in debt because of it then it was probably better than doing nothing much and saving a bit of money.

Same. This is the first year I felt it. The kids are getting older and wanting more and eating more. It's been endless snacks and food and going out. I'll be relieved when they go back we've planned a holiday in December so we need to save like mad now.

When do you next get paid then? I'd say having enough to get shopping and pay bills after having a great summer going here there and everywhere plus kitting out in new school uniform is a good enough position to be in.

I save for summer holidays because they are so expensive! I like to be doing all the time. We have had a great summer though. September will be much cheaper!

I'm going to start putting away some money from next February I think. Good idea to save for the summer holidays 👍

I've done this and not entirely sure I have enough for this coming week - it would be fine if I didn't have to sort out good and party bags for DS's party. Which in turn would be easier if people would bloody RSVP!!!

I have learnt over the years though that there is zero point in stressing about money if it's just a one off skint week/month. Whatever is done is done, you can't magic more money up and most companies are understanding if you are struggling.

Just enjoy the memories of your lovely summer

Yes me, I'm skint!
Four school age DCs and a christening tomorrow for the two youngest at a cost of over £500.
I've taken out a loan to cover our October holiday as I'm only just back from mat leave.

shrugs can't take it with me not that there's anything to take
Plus I fully prescribe to the notion of spending money on experiences which result in fabulous memories rather than material possessions or a bulging savings account.

Others may disagree 😀

forget I don't get paid till 2 weeks time ! When I meant shopping... I meant the basics ! Bread, milk, pasta etc. I still have a few school bits to buy but cannot afford that now till I next get paid.

That's a great idea to save up for the summer holidays. I'm on a very tight budget so the extra food alone leaves things very tight. We had a fun holiday though but roll on payday!

OH GOD yes! I am never "home-holiday"-ing again! Coulda flippin gone long haul once all the day trips and local activities added up! flippin hell!

Problem is, I'm good at saving for "away holidays", but forget how expensive a good "home holiday" is! It's blooming cheaper to go abroad!!! it is!!

I don't regret it as such, making memories with the kids is priceless, but next year we're going abroad! and that's it! I can't afford another staycation!

I thought I'd done ok this year but then realised I'd put more on the cc than I thought and spent a chunk of savings. Was pay day last week and then I got a letter this morning to say I need to pay for swimming lessons x2, text this morning to say another instalment this month for dds guides trip is due on the 22nd and last night ds came home from cubs with a letter about another camp in October he had one the first week of the holidays. I and booked a night in a b&b next weekend at Blackpool to see the lights and fireworks but I've cancelled it today and told the kids we will just drive down for the night and back.

Yes it's depressing isn't it? I've copied my friend this year and bought the uniform at the start of the holidays. So whatever cash I have left is what I spend on the summer holidays. You might want to try that next year to take the financial pressure off you.

I save a bit every month for summer holidays, Christmas, ground rent / service charge, MOT, insurances etc. They are events that come around at the same time every year, and it isn't a surprise they are going to happen. I find putting a bit away each month is more affordable than getting to the event and thinking 'oh shit'.

I got paid Thursday luckily, I was down to £20 in the account. but I won't regret it, and Dd won't forget the great days out we've done. Indulged and on those days we ate out and had ice creams and all sorts of treats.
But I had saved and we did a short haul sunny holiday too, I just don't care anymore.

I've spent a bloody fortune this month! Always do. Luckily I save up for it. I'm off too, so I do enjoy going out and about with the DDs. But between a week away, days out (not that many actually), fitting them out for the next year in school and a bill for £300+ for a new pair of glasses for me, I've spent more than I earn last month.

Now for a frugal few months (apart from the Christmas gifts!)

Same here. I had to keep my dc's amused and out the house to stop then fighting. It hasn't been cheap.

I'm about to turn my laptop on to survey the damage and get my budget under control again. It's easier to budget in term time as I get a couple of days free in the week to do my admin.

Same here. Just bought school shoes and paid all bills but September is going to be a very lean month.

My DC are a lot older, so they make their own fun. They went away, but took advantage of the free things to do.

I guess as a result of this summer, next year you will budget to make sure you're not in the same place.

A good thing is to look at things you can do that cost nothing but maybe an ice cream, parks, reservoirs, nature reserves, other free places of interest.

They'll develop hobbies so they can entertain themselves better.

Uniform wise it's all Supermarket stuff, saved up for in a jar. Pencil case wise they seem happy with what they have as I'm really into art, so they're forever adding to their collection from mine.

Big purchases like coats, won't be considered till October time. We long gave up on Clarks as the wear is the same, so go to Brantanos.

I remember the days of the catalogue, when your Mum would get a mammoth parcel, with what looked like a school wear shop in. I know some schools now insist on blazers. So again something to save for. But as for jumpers with the badge on, they have 1 for photo days, then rest of the time it's £4 cheapy ones from Supermarket.

You can either save & buy in bulk or buy as you go along.

Sorry things are tight, if money is tight and you get say tax credits, uniform vouchers exist which help. Or used to exist. Make sure you get your milk tokens that can be used for fruit/veg.

Hope this helped.

Next year, why not make a list of some cheaper/free things to do and try and incorporate more of those into your summer.
eg. Membership somewhere good costs less per visit if you go lots, cinema- movies for juniors at cineworld, try all nearby parks, geocaching is free, healthy and great fun, walks to lovely places, library, seeing friends. Food costs much less if you take a packed lunch with you.

Not just you. My outgoings have exceeded income quite a bit. But, at 5 and 7, is making memories. Next year, I'll improve on it.. Already planning..😂

I save all year round for Christmas and holidays. I took 5 weeks off work this summer and it was great to be able to buy nice food and not have to think too hard about whether I could afford certain activities. The summer costs really do add up with summer camps, holidays, treats and then back to school costs. It's depressing enough having to back to work on Monday without having to be worried about how to last til next pay day.

MissEDashwood How old are your DC? My DDs still cost me quite a bit in the holidays When does it get cheaper?

I did that last year... and was playing catch up for a few months. So this year we changed what we normally do and made some changes.

we had 1 big day out each week of the holidays with lots of free stuff for the other days. Local parks, fun days, beach and playing games indoors.

Packed lunches are key to keeping costs down - invest in decent boxes and kids carry their own in backpacks. I stock up on snack bits like cereal bars and individually wrapped brioches from poundshop. Have a bag of frozen mini sausage rolls and mini sausages in the freezer for quick lunch making. I have a thermos so I don't have to pay extortionate tea prices!

I save tesco clubcard vouchers all year for days out. £6.50 of clubcard vouchers is one entry to a local zoo that normally charges £19.50 each.

I have a cashback account with natwest that gives me cashback on direct debits normally about £10 per month. This is saved for holidays where I can trade £5 for a cinema ticket. (Make treat bags at home with leftover sweets, mini chocs. Kids love this. Sometimes buy a mini bag of popcorn)

Lidl/aldi school uniform is fantastic and lasts really well - normally comes in at the beginning of the holidays. Can't go wrong at £1.50 for a skirt/trousers or £5.99 for a 2 pack of Cardigans. New backpacks/stationary are Christmas gifts - we have so much art stuff they can easily fill a pencil case. Lunch bags the same usually but their ones didn't last well (stupid crap smiggle) so had to buy new ones - just basic ones from ebay with unicorns on cost about £3 each.

Definitely worth saving money but also ideas of things to do indoors - we have had teddy fights, proper movie days, set the tent up, rebuilding lego sets. We make a 'summer holiday bucket list' at the beginning of the holidays which can include anything they want to do within reason - included things like water fight, beach, go to library etc.

no....

I would love to do that regarding school uniform. But his uniform is very expensive.... one trouser is £28.00 .