Thrifty staycations with Savvy In Somerset

Savvy in Somerset is an award-winning personal finance blog run by Fiona Hawkes, a self-confessed lover and enthusiast of all things related to saving money. On her blog you'll find fantastically down-to-earth and insightful tips on how to save your money and cut costs on everything to grocery shopping, traveling, cheap food recipes, home-improvement and even large life events like weddings.

Saving is a lifestyle and mindset for Fiona, so we asked her for some tips on how to apply thrifty-thinking to staycations, which are currently seeing a surge in popularity across the UK.

The key benefits of staycations according to Fiona

It's definitely cheaper to do a staycation rather than going abroad

The UK has some beautiful beaches to rival anywhere else in Europe and generally speaking if you travel by car or coach it will be much cheaper than booking flights would have been. Plus there's no need to update your passport or pay for airport parking.

It's definitely worth seeing what there is closer to home

We can all be guilty of taking our local area for granted, but there are so many things you might not even realise were there. It doesn't all have to be outdoorsy either - you might find a retro gaming arcade or Cat Cafe you never knew existed.

Staycations are great for families and kids - as well as your wallet

Staycations allow you to be more selective about your surrounding environment. This means you can keep the kids entertained and active without loads of distractions for things like attraction rides, sweets or arcade games, which you'd ultimately end up paying for to occupy them.

Fiona's top tips for a staycation with superb savings

1. Plan ahead and do your research

Planning ahead for staycations often means you'll get the best prices when you book early. It's also worth doing some research on the area you'd like to visit. It helps to ask and write down some questions to help guide your process and let you decided which options are best for you and your budget.

Questions to ask yourself that'll help your staycation planning

• Are there plenty of things you can do for free nearby?

• Would another campsite a mile further up the road be cheaper?

• What facilities or amenities are included and are they worth the money?

• What's the travel time in getting from point A to point B?

For me travel time is important. With a toddler, I just don't think we could be stuck in a car for hours on end so I tend to search for holidays with this in mind, no more than two hours from where we live. I also like my home comforts, so while camping may be the thriftiest option for a staycation, I know it's not for me as I just wouldn't enjoy it! - Fiona Hawkes

2. Beware the sneaky, hidden costs

Sometimes even the cheapest things a staycation can offer you can add up if you're not keeping a close eye on the expenses. Consider taking a holiday with friends or extended family to split the total cost across the board. For example, it's usually only marginally more expensive to book a caravan that sleeps four versus one that sleeps eight, meaning you'll save money overall.

Another thing to look at is the cost of food while you're away. While camping may be very thrifty, no fridge could mean you end up eating out more or are buying food out every day. A caravan with kitchen facilities may be more expensive but being able to cook and store food may mean you'll save money overall.

While it's nice to take day trips while on holiday, the cost of these can be quite significant. If you can, always book ahead to save money on tickets and try to find somewhere that allows free returns later in the week so you'll be getting a freebie later during your holiday.

3. Don't underestimate the wonders of our national parks!

A National Trust Pass is a great idea for anyone planning a staycation this summer. With the pass you get free entry and parking to a wide variety of national parks and attractions. There are hundreds of locations all over the country meaning you should be able to visit some properties during your holiday but also when you're back at home too. You can pay monthly which means no big upfront cost like with some bigger attractions.

One of my recommendations would be to find some nice secluded beaches or woodlands that are away from the main tourist areas. This should help prevent children constantly asking for ice creams, donkey rides, money for the arcade etc and help you focus on spending quality time as a family. It also means you can take a picnic or barbeque which should save money too! - Fiona Hawkes

4. Remember the essentials

Food and entertainment for adults and kids is a must for a staycation - but how much you spend on this depends largely on how you approach your preparation. You may want to consider taking some portable cooking appliances along with you to avoid always having to eat out, which is always more expensive than cooking your own meals. Items like slow-cookers or camping stoves are great items that you can use to your advantage in saving on food costs.

One of my top tips would be to take your slow cooker away with you if where you're staying has a kitchen or cooking facilities. While I know we all like to take a break from cooking on holiday, the cost of eating out can soon add up. - Fiona Hawkes

Buying things the children might need beforehand such as toys, armbands, pool noodles, footballs, etc. is also highly recommended as these can be notoriously expensive when buying on campsites or on the seafront during days out.