Family budgeting and days out

Trying to somehow keep a grip on your family budgeting while at the same time planning in some fun days out - yes, it is possible!

Keeping a grip on your family finances may be an ongoing task that you have to slog through every month but it shouldn't be to the exclusion of everything else. Life is for living and you and your family need to have some fun as well as just watching the pennies.

OK, it's true that living on a tight budget means you'll have to be careful and equally true that a lot of the obvious 'trips out' come with big price tags, that's why family budgeting is important.

It is possible though to have a lot of fun for free or at worst, very small amounts of money. Here are a few useful tips about how to go about it.

Engage your family

Nothing is more demoralising than having to constantly turn down requests from children to go to places that are expensive such as cinemas, zoos and amusement parks, etc.

Get your kids involved with the family budgeting by setting them games about helping you to find places that are free or very low cost. Most children just love the chance to go somewhere different and spend quality time with their parent or parents - it won't matter much where it is.

If you play this one right, they'll be so involved in helping you find somewhere that's low cost that their demands for expensive days out will disappear.

It's also not a bad idea to explain to children from the outset that some places are too expensive other than for special treats. Making up implausible excuses just results in children spotting that you're being evasive and wondering what you're trying to hide!

Know your costs

It doesn't matter where you go, some things can rack up the costs at a scary rate.

• Eating out in restaurants or snack bars
• Buying toys and souvenirs
• Travelling a long way
• Having to pay admission fees

Good examples are eating out in restaurants or snack bars, buying toys and souvenirs, travelling a long way and having to pay admission fees.

When it comes to family budgeting and trips out, you're looking for places and activities that avoid or at least reduce these things. So, a few obvious tips!

1. Take a picnic where possible. Kids love to help prepare picnics and most find eating them to be great fun too. In fact, a picnic in the local park can be virtually a trip out in itself and it'll be free. If a picnic is not possible at least take some drinks and snacks along.
2. Try to find places to go to that are within walking distance of your home or just a short bus or public transport ride away. This will keep down the cost of getting there.
3. Tell your kids that when you get back you'll be doing some drawings of what you've seen and making some models etc. This may help reduce the demands for souvenirs and toys while you're out and will increase their participation in the trip (so take some pens and pencils!).
4. It goes without saying - look for places that are free!

Having fun on a budget

Museums and galleries

Many of these are found in the centres of the bigger towns and cities. Admission is often free or a very modest cost for families. The exhibits fascinate many children - particularly if you find a museum that has a 'hands on' section or two for them to touch and feel things.

Walking and exploring

Oddly, many children don't get too excited by the prospect of going out for a walk but if you describe it as 'exploring' - suddenly it's different! You can check out the local parks, city or town centres, woods, canals, public footpaths and so on. These are all free, you can get the children to do some nature exploration or 'treasure hunting' and it'll be healthy for everyone.

Free events

Your local tourist board will usually have lists of free events. These may range from art exhibitions to country craft demonstrations and concerts to sporting activities.

Animals

Most children and their parents, enjoy animals. There's no point hiding the fact that many zoos are now rather pricy to get into but there are other options. Many farms have free open days and some parks are often a haven for various forms of birds and wildfowl. Just spending time by a pond looking for fish and birds and feeding the ducks is often heaven, particularly for younger children.

Local parents' associations and town halls

These sources can be a goldmine of ideas. Quite often activities are run in local halls or libraries. Sometimes free shows are put on and very low cost coach trips arranged to local places of interest etc.

Discount vouchers

You may not be able to avoid big trips out forever. From time to time, many of the bigger stores and supermarket chains offer discount vouchers for trips out to some of the major attractions and parks. These can amount to considerable savings, making family budgeting easier, so keep your eyes open.

Making the best of things

So, a trip out need not spell the end of your family budgeting. Enjoy yourself!