Do you budget for fun money?

[Rayn]

We need to start saving some money. Just been doing YNAB and we spent around 500 on fun stuff. This is for days out with the kids, take outs, soft play etc. Really need to get this down as way too much.
I want to go on a big holiday so could do with saving.

Just wondered what you would class as fun money. I am gobsmacked. I know we had half term but this is crazy money to 'fritter'.

Any ideas on cheap stuff? Kids are 4 8 and 12!!

To reduce the cost of days out, always take food and drink with you where possible. The cost 'out' is almost always extortionate for poor quality food.

If there are local attractions that you like that do annual passes, this can be a good way of accessing cheap days out because you pay once to go as often as you like.

For days out that you have to pay entry for etc, always look for vouchers etc. There is almost always a 2 for 1, kids go free type of deal available, or even booking online can save compared with paying the full price on the day.

English Heritage or National Trust passes can be excellent value if you like those sorts of places and have them nearby. Some employers, especially the public sector, offer corporate membership at a discount - see what benefits you can get through work.

Days out with DC, a holiday, and spending money for adults all has to come out of what's left after your essential expenditure. So it's also worth seeing if you can maximise your income in any way or cut your essential expenditure as both of these will contribute to making the pot leftover for fun stuff as big as possible.

For a complete and systematic way to overhaul your budget, have a look at:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/money-help/

Even if you don't spend more than you earn, cutting back on boring things leaves more money for fun things, so always worth doing.

Do you live in a rural area or a city ? Train links ?

Yes I do because I like to get out a lot.
I try to do mostly free stuff and use vouchers, groupon and any special offers. We have Tesco club card, blue peter badges and a family railcard that we use.
We always take water and some food and snacks with us. We do buy food out too but it will be a treat thing like some chips, ice cream or cake depending where we are.
It’s easier in the summer as we’ll just go for bike rides and picnics or drive to a beach.
We go to local lakes and parks and take balls and frisbees with us.
We often go into central London for free museums.

Fun money for us is anything that isn't classed as bills or savings - savings get paid into first, like bills. We've been saving like mad for a house, and once weve moved in a few months, we will likely reduce our savings every month and have a bit more fun money, as it has been sorely lacking!

For us it includes anything from days out, to take away, to clothes, so more relaxed than some people might have. Holidays will be a standard part of our savings. Can't wait for a holiday!!

Absolutely but we pay for annual memberships which isn’t included in the disposable fun money budget. They work out much cheaper - for instance, If you visit a national trust property 4 times in a year its cheaper to get an annual pass.

Mmm. I think it is just that prices seem to have hiked lately. Eating out is not cheap and there always seems to be a birthday or some occasion. We live in a city with good transport links. Going to try a 'no fun money' week once a month and save what we don't spend. Will be easier in Summer when the park is dry! I hope X

Yes even when we were in absolute poverty, I would make sure there was a few quid for something small, as well as lots of free activities.

@Rayn we are in a similar situation need to save for a big holiday. Last weekend we used our National Trust pass so just had lunch out but the lunch was a rip off so will be taking a packed lunch when the weather is nicer. We go swimming and a play about in the woods with the dog or visit a park or castle ruins for cheap days out. We sometimes get the train to a city and go to the museums. Make use of the meerkat app too cheaper cinema and meals out.

I budget for everything. Anything left goes to savings but nothing left as every penny is accounted for. But if I was ill so didn't use as much petrol that would go to savings, for instance.

Take snacks, food and drinks with you. Plan ahead to get discounts on tickets and travel costs. On days out we may not eat in the cafe etc unless its nice and a reasonable price, as I budget for a treat picnic with items we have all chosen and so that seems just as special.

I use meerkat for 2 for 1 cinema and meals.

Im lucky that I belong to a home ed group who get school discounts and cheaper midweek prices. But I plan for one big day out monthly plus a weekly small one that will just cost food taken from the house. In the summer it is more but in colder months we may not have done anything, so the budgeted money will be there ready to be used.

To those of you with the Meerkat app - is it 2 for 1 if you get more than one? Could you get 4 for 2?
And is it just wed and thurs?

@Foghead For meals; the restaurant sets the terms, but it’s usually up to 6 people around me - so up to 3 free; and they’re usually valid most of the time (Friday and Saturdays are excluded for a fair few).

Yes.
I'm a single parent and budget extra fun money for half term and am hyper aware of the events each month. For example this month is my sons birthday on the 26th and Mother's Day so no takeaways here until MD.