As the school summer holidays kick off this week, the average British family of four can look forward to a massive dent in their pockets simply from keeping the kids entertained for 6 weeks.

Entertaining the kids with trips to swimming pools, theme parks and bowling alleys all add up, with numbers reaching worrying heights, according to new research by parenting club Bounty. These are the sorts of costs that many families struggle to afford, particularly at the moment.

So how can parents make sure the kids have fun in their holidays without breaking the bank of mum and dad? Many parents now dread the financial burden of the holidays, and worry they won't be able to meet their children's expectations.

Log in to our live Web TV chat to ask personal finance Jasmine Birtles your family summer spending queries. Jasmine can help you work out exactly where day to day cut backs can be made and how much money is available each week to spend on food, day trips, entertainment and treats over the summer. She also has tips for families looking for less costly alternatives to theme parks and restaurants - think picnics, water fights and trips to the seaside!

For more information visit www.bounty.com

H: Lis Speight, host
J: Jasmine Birtles, personal finance expert

H: Hello and welcome to the Parenting Show, I'm Lis Speight. So the long school summer holidays are here and keeping the kids entertained for 6 weeks can leave a big dent in the budget of the average British family of four.  Taking the kids on trips to swimming pools, play parks and bowling alleys all adds up, with numbers reaching worrying heights, and according to new research by parenting club Bounty many families struggle to afford these added costs, particularly at the moment. So how can parents make sure the kids have fun during their holidays without breaking the bank of mum and dad? Well joining me today to look at ways to keep costs low without cutting out the holiday fun I'm pleased to say we're joined by personal finance expert Jasmine Birtles, welcome

J: Hello

H: Along Jasmine, lovely to see you today

J: Thank you

H: Now before Jasmine gives us her tops tips on how to keep your budget in check this summer, remember that we are live today so please do feel free to submit any questions you have about family finance on the box that's on your screen, press submit and it will come through to us here and we'll try to get through as many questions as we can during the course of the show. But let's start off by talking about this research Jasmine, Bounty has done some research that shows that parents are struggling a little bit in the summer holidays, keeping their budgets balancing

J: Yes absolutely, I mean their research, they looked into the average family, not that there is of course an average family but you know parents and two children, and they've decided that actually the extra costs for this average family, if they're going to go on trips and do the usual sort of entertainment things, it's going to be an extra £2000

H: My goodness me!

J: It is a phenomenal amount isn't it?  But then you see they're including things like trips to amusement parks, that sort of thing and you know they do cost

H: They really do add up

J: Let's be honest and then you've got of course extra lunches, food and just general entertainment because you know that awful thing when kids go "I'm bored"

H: Yes what can I do, especially when the weather's not very good

J: Yes exactly, I mean last year it was horrendous, you know

H: It was, it really was

J: I had various friends saying to me have you got any ideas have you got any ideas? Because it was so wet. Of course when it's sunny you can just throw them outside and they're fine all day

H: Well we can keep our fingers crossed for some good weather

J: Yes lets, lets

H: Do you think that parents actually budget for this or do you think they get to summer holidays and think – ah!  Quick get the credit cards out.

J: Well as a nation we are rubbish at budgeting, absolutely rubbish, but I mean certainly some people do, and parents, generally are rubbish at budgeting than non-parents

H: Because you have to be don't you?

J: Exactly you have to, but there are still far too many people who don't and you know survey after survey has found that we just live from day to day. You know I just got one yesterday that said that you know the average person if you like could only cope for 12 days if suddenly they lost their jobs, you know lost their income kind of thing, so really we do need to be budgeting more, parents particularly need to be thinking ahead and thinking ok, how much in all honesty can I spend per week, and then cutting their cloth depending how much they've got, and you know this honestly doesn't mean to say that you and your children have to have a narrow, terrible nothing little life because there are so many things that you can do for free or for cheap, and also there are even things you can do to make money

H: Aha, now I like the idea of that!

J: Thought you would!

H: Just moving on to some questions actually

J: Yes
 
H: Jerry has written in and he said "what ways are there for parents to save money during these lean times?"

J: Well absolutely it's a very very good question. The first thing. There are two ways basically to save money for anybody – one is painful and the other is painless, so let's start with the painless one and that is to spend an evening or an afternoon, you know day if necessary, in front of the computer, switching everything, all your essential outgoings to cheaper versions

H: Right

J: So it's things like, obviously gas and electricity and frankly at the moment I would recommend personally and what I'm going to be doing is finding a capped rate, because you know they're saying that gas prices particularly could go up by 70%

H: Again?

J: It's just terrifying isn't it?

H: Any more?
 
J: But things like of course also you know your mortgage, now mortgages are a bit problematic at the moment but again if you go online have a look at what there is, talk to a good broker, get as much information as you can and get the best price you can get.  But then things also, I mean phones, mobile phones, even your bank – a lot of people are losing money by being with the wrong bank

H: Right
 
J: And you know people, it's still the case, incredibly, that we are more likely to get divorced than switch our bank, would you believe?

H: But that's it, how many people do you know that switch bank, you actually think it's too difficult

J: They do but actually it's not and I mean there are some, like Alliance & Leicester are offering £100 if you just come to us they're saying

H: And some do quite good interest rates

J: Absolutely

H: For a normal current account don't they?

J: Yes. The online banks you know, Cahoot is good, First Direct I think has good service although their rates aren't the best, so you know if you've been with the same bank for 20 years, switch because they're not loyal to you. The second, I'm afraid painful way is to have a look at what you're spending and see what you can cut out frankly

H: Yes

J: You know really genuinely is that, so for example if you go to work, if you make your lunch, you know if you buy your lunch, make it because on the whole -

H: So if you're going out with the kids on a trip then

J: Yes

H: Take your lunch with you so that they're -

J:  Take a picnic

H: Saying can I have a Coke, can I have this, that and the other

J: Exactly, it does have to be because let's be honest these places, particularly the coffee shops and whatever they're so expensive

H: Yes, oh yes – and if you've got two, three kids it soon adds up doesn't it?

J: Yes they're having a laugh

H: And cinema and things like that – really expensive

J: Absolutely, yes

H: It sound a bit stingy but you could take your own and buy it outside and take it in

J: Absolutely – oh I truly, I don't think it's stingy, I think it's just sensible. I mean a lot of them won't let you but you've just got to smuggle them in

H:Yes. You were talking earlier about making money, I'm sure a lot of us, our little ears pricked up when you said that
 
J: Making money, yes

H: So what about that?

J: Well for example, I mean an obvious one – it's the summer, go through everything in your house, get the kids to go through all the stuff in their rooms, see what you don't want any more, get all the junk together, get the kids to throw in their toys and their books that they don't want any more – go to a car boot sale

H: Oh fabulous

J: Sell it

H: And the kids are going to like that as well aren't they?

J: Exactly

H: Especially if it's nice weather, if it's raining it's not quite as attractive

J: Not quite such fun. But you do meet interesting people at car boot sales

H: Yes well it's a car boot sale and it puts a few quid in your pocket doesn't it?

J: Yes and it's good for the kids.  It's called neutral shopping now

H: It's recycling

J: Exactly

H: We like a bit of that don't we

J: You're recycling, you're clearing the house out, that's a good thing, you actually get children interested in tidying their rooms, quite incredible that one, because then they can sell it, then they've got a few pennies and they can use that to go and buy something fun so there's another trip. I mean you could use the money that you make from a car boot sale to go and have a family day out

H: Yes

J: And they've got their money, they can buy some little bits and pieces, and that's really fun for them

H: Exactly

J: And then another thing that I think that you could do with the children, and it really – it is a question of being creative. If you don't have the money you've got to have the creativity – I think, you know think ahead, it's a horrible thing to think about in the summer, but Christmas – you know the other financial burden

H: The drain

J: Yes – for parents, but now it's a good time to get the children making greetings cards – it doesn't have to be Christmas, it could be any greetings cards, they could be making wrapping paper, they could be making gifts and all sorts of things, thinking ahead, and that's fun for them. And also you could be saying to them look, this is what you need to be doing for Christmas generally, let's make things

H: So get the kids involved them

J: Definitely

H: It will make them realise the value of money actually. On that note actually Stephanie from Kent has sent a question in recently and she says "do parents think that they must be spending a lot of money on the kids to ensure they're having a good time?" That's a really good point

J: It is

H: Isn't it?

J: It's a very good point, and I think one of the – frankly toxic habits that we've got into as a nation, not just parents, but as a nation over the last decade or two, certainly since the '80s is this idea that only if you spend money can you be happy

H: Yes

J:  And you've -

H: It's not very healthy is it?

J: Got to have things – yes and it's so not true. You know this is why we've got ourselves into – hold yourself back here - £1.4 trillion worth of debt

H: Oooh

J: Yes, as a nation – I mean a trillion of that is mortgages

H: I don't understand trillion – that sounds like a lot of money to me

J: A thousand million – it's a lot of money, let's be honest. But that means £100 billion has been spent on credit cards, loans, overdrafts, mostly – frankly on stuff that we didn't need

H: Yes

J: Ok we've had some nice holidays and things, but people have been spending money just on rubbish

H: Yes

J: And we've just got into this idea that you've got to have a certain handbag or the kids have got to have the certain trainers and they've got into the habit of thinking as well because you know there's been a lot of marketing aimed at children

H: So do you think the summer holidays coming up, all the kids must have been talking at school – what are you going to do, where are you going to go on holiday? Oh I'm going to go to X leisure park

J:  Yes

H: I mean do you think there's a lot of peer pressure on children?

J: I think there is and I do think it's very hard for parents when you've got this pester power from kids and you've got the next door neighbours there taking to Thorpe Park or Chessington or one of those – Legoland, that's horrendously expensive

H: They're so expensive

J: They are

H: But then you can get vouchers for things can't you?

J: You can and I think one very good tip is to use your Tesco points to convert them into Legoland tickets because that is a very good way of doing it, and some of the others as well. And also actually, one interesting thing is to talk to your local council because a lot of local councils are doing a one-off day special sort of family days when you can do lots of sport

H: Oh right

J: And also they're doing -

H: That's a good idea

J: Yes and they're doing special vouchers. I mean it depends where you're living

H: But it might be worth just having a look on the internet of your local council

J:  Exactly

H: Seeing what they do

J: Seeing what you can get yes

H: We've had quite a lot of your questions in actually but keep them coming. Sammy said that "do you think being more responsible with money will make us happier as a family?" Now there's a thought!

J: Absolutely and my answer is yes to be honest, I do. I mean it depends on what you mean by responsible, you know if you mean mean then no, frankly. And I do find this actually some people say oh yes I do like your tips because you know it's not bad to be mean and I go no no no

H: It's not mean, it's sensible

J: It's sensible because I think what we need to do as couples, as singles, as families is to get on top of the money so that you're not worrying about it because you know the charity Relate says that arguments about money are the number one cause of divorce

H: Yes

J: Actually. So if you can be responsible about money – not mean

H: And talk about it as well

J: Yes, communicate

H: But not to frighten the kids I suppose

J: No

H: But to get the kids involved a little bit so they know that if they go out somewhere they can't have endless ice creams etc

J:  Yes absolutely and to understand, and I think again it's not so they get the sense that – oh you can't spend anything at all, but just – we all need to get more of a sense of thinking about what we love. What do – what's important to you, what do you love?  Fine, spend your money on that, but save it on other things, so if you love travel, fine, we'll save up for that and don't buy your lunch when you go to work. Recycle clothes, don't just get new things all the time – save, save, save and then you can all go on a lovely family holiday

H: So is it nice to have something to look forward to in the holidays, because 6 weeks is a long time

J: It is a long time yes

H: And if you think oh we'll go to Legoland or whatever next week, then you've got nothing to look forward to – is that a good idea?

J: Well yes, there is that.  I think the odd sort of big treat thing if you can afford it is a nice thing to have, but do remember that really for children the important thing is being together

H: Yes

J: And many of the things that children remember for years and years and decades is the things that were actually free. I mean I remember for example when I was growing up, when I was very small there were power cuts and things, and I remember sitting around playing cards or Scrabble or something with my parents, and we had candles around and -

H: Because it was something a bit unusual

J: Yes, it was fun. And it was that togetherness, and I have found when I've dealt with families when quite often it's the youngest child, if you ask them, and it's a good idea to ask children – you say what would you really like, and they say I really want my family to stay in and for us to go and play in the park

H: Yes
 
J: You know together, so don't underestimate the power of being together as a family and that the value of free activities

H: Yes exactly because kids don't really care how – especially the younger ones

J:  Yes exactly, they really don't, I mean it's that thing you buy an expensive present for a child and really they're only interested in the box

H: In the box! Exactly, I know my little girl's like that at the moment, she's only two. Now we've got a question in from Julia and – oh dear, this is a bit contentious, she says "money is tight at the moment" – it is for everyone isn't it? "My husband wants to cancel our life insurance to save some money -

J: Does he?

H: - but I think we should cancel our Sky Sports subscription -

J: I think you're -

H: What do you think?"

J: Yes I think you are absolutely right there but of course I'm female and also I'm not that interested in sport, so I think you are totally right because the thing is you can actually, if you go online, it may be that you can get a better value life insurance policy

H: Right yes

J: And actually that's one of the few things that has come down in price, life insurance policies have actually come down in price

H: Because we're living longer maybe?

J: Well yes – actually no – yes I think so, we're a bit healthier yes. I think there's a bit more competition, but most certainly if you're a parent you know you really do need to have life insurance. If you're not a parent then forget it, you know if you don't have dependents, no problem

H: She doesn't say actually

J:  But you know Sky Sports package yes

H: Poor old husband

J: I'm afraid so

H: Well it's the summer, he should be out playing sport not watching it on the telly

J: Yes absolutely

H: So there we are.  Sean from Wembley has written in and he says "I'm thinking of taking my children on holiday

J: Yes

H: - The UK is an expensive country" – it can be can't it? "so do you think it would be cheaper to go on holiday abroad instead?"

J: Well very good point, it could be.  I mean a lot of people are talking about staying in Britain because you know you don't want to spend money on air fares, but on the other hand, as you point out so well there Sean yes, it can be an expensive place so I think there are all sorts of things you can think about – firstly certainly going online, I keep talking about this, but going online -

H: It's so true, I mean I spend hours online actually

J: Yes

H: Just – and I saved hundreds of pounds just shopping for this -

J: Yes – last minute deals, I think there will be some last minute package deals

H: Yes well that's right

J: And now of course the Euro is quite expensive at the moment, so it may be a good idea to look at non-Euro companies – countries, you know Turkey, Eastern Europe

H: Right

J: Even America if you can find you know -

H: It's so cheap once you're there it's much cheaper

J: It's the getting there that's the expensive bit, but also do have a think about house swapping, now there are lots -

H: Oh that's a good idea

J: Yes because there are lots – well it's not exactly free because you have to get there, but once you're there you don't have to pay for the hotel and everything, and for families I think it can be a really good idea to swap houses, and you can swap houses with people in New Zealand, you know people do

H: But do you have to have some swanky posh house, if you live in some ropey old council estate is anybody going to want to visit your house?

J: It's a good point.  Lots of people want to come to Britain

H: And if it is cheaper, it's an experience isn't it?

J:  It is, you know so long as you – I mean you can swap with people in Britain, you know and it might be -
 
H: Yes that's true, you could go to Cornwall and someone come to London

J: Absolutely yes it -

H: That's a good idea

J: Yes it could be quite a fun thing, so do have a look around. It can be cheaper if you really search, it can be cheaper to go abroad, particularly if you go somewhere that's sunny because frankly it is a lot cheaper just to chuck the kids next to the pool

H: Exactly

J: For a week and they'll be fine there, rather than having to deal with stuff here when it's raining

H: Well that's a good point actually, what do you do when it's raining, because our summer – it's a lovely day today, whatever day you're watching

J: Yes

H: But it's not always so is it?

J: Well no exactly, and I think it's – when it's raining, then you've got to get really creative and I think that's the time when you have to think about making gifts and making – cards and wrapping paper and things for Christmas or for later and also, actually another thing that I think could be fun now is going out, and – when it's not raining – and picking fruit. Either you know of course we're coming into the blackberry season so we're getting free blackberries, or going and doing pick your own strawberries and that sort of thing, spend a day doing that, and then when it's raining you're at home making jam

H: Yes that's lovely

J:  And there again -

H: Kids love cooking don't they?

J: They do yes

H: They really do like it

J: Yes

H: Boys and girls as well, you know it's for anyone really isn't it?

J: Absolutely so again you know the next sort of week or so, if you are at home, could be a time for you all to be filling the freezer, and that again is a money saving thing

H: That's right and it's fun as well

J: Because you're cooking in bulk – absolutely. I mean I know my mum used to do a big – slabs of sponge cake

H: Yes

J: Which wouldn't be iced, but you know you'd put them in the freezer and then later on you'd take them out and then you'd do the icing or whatever

H: And when the kids have made them themselves, that's just lovely isn't it?

J: Pizza bases, stews, all of that kind of thing – stick them in the freezer and then gradually be eating them, because we've got to get back into that habit as well. Bulk cooking, bulk buying, using the freezer more.  I mean I've done a lot of stuff with – you know about not wasting food

H: Yes yes

J: and you know you can save hundreds and hundreds of pounds purely by not wasting food

H: And if you use that money then to go out and do something nice with the kids

J: Exactly

H: Or different.  Different nice -

J: It's a holiday isn't it, you know you could actually save enough money on your food bills to have a holiday

H: Ok. Lovely well we hope we've given you some really good ideas there on how to save money, so don't be frightened of the summer holidays

J: No

H: We're going to get some nice weather aren't we Jasmine?

J: I think we are – I hope, I hope

H: Well if you want some more advice on how to survive the summer, a long six weeks, then you can go to the website which is www.bounty.com. Well thanks very much for watching and we'll see you next time on the Parenting Show. Bye bye.

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