Thursday, 11 October 2012 02:34

If you are looking forward to your next holiday on a sun-soaked beach but are concerned about whether you can stick to your budget, never fear, as there are some simple steps that could help keep your spending to a minimum. Read our guide to find out more.

All inclusive deals

Perhaps the most obvious way to avoid overspending is to search for an all inclusive hotel. Typically, these will include staples such as drinks and meals in the total price of your stay, meaning you do not need to constantly monitor your finances while at the resort.

Of course, this also reduces the risk that you will go over your budget when dining out or having a relaxing drink by the pool. To make the most of this opportunity, it is important to familiarise yourself with which beverages and foodstuffs are part of your all inclusive arrangement – otherwise you could unwittingly add to your bill.

What’s more, deals like these also often include extras, such as water sports or other activities. This means it is worth looking at each option very carefully, as what you can get can vary significantly from one offer to the next.

As well as investigating what might be included, you should also see whether there are lots of extras you will not use. If there are, this could mean you end up paying more than you would elsewhere, so pick something that fits well with your interests and holiday wishes.

Book flights and hotels separately

Another useful money-saving trick is to book your hotel and flights separately. Package deals that offer both are often appealing in their simplicity, but frequently using these pre-arranged combinations means you end up paying more – either for the flights, the hotel or both.

By booking separately, you will have the freedom to snap up the best value deals for each. So, it is certainly worth taking the time to do so.

Search for low-cost beach destinations

You can also reduce your spending in the booking process by searching for low-cost beach destinations. Of course, you may already have a location in mind, in which case it will be a question of finding dates outside peak times.

However, if you are flexible about your destination – after all, many of us are simply looking for a nice beach and good weather – you have an even better chance of securing a bargain.

The internet is a fantastic tool for this. Some websites, such as Holiday Nights, allow you to see when each holiday resort is at its cheapest, as well as check which destinations offer the best value for any given dates.

Resist seaside shopping temptation

While an all inclusive deal can help stop you overspending on things like food and drink, there is still the temptation of shopping to contend with. Many of us like to pick up a little treat or two while away, but when you need to stick to a budget, it is worth either working out a spending limit or avoiding shopping altogether.

What you can do is limit yourself to a souvenir or two for friends and family back home, rather than splashing out on new clothes for yourself. Another useful tip is to bring useful bits and bobs from home, such as extra towels and spare swimwear for the beach, so you do not feel the need to buy these while away.