MUM-OF-TWO REVEALS £300 SUMMER HOLIDAY BUDGET FOR TWO CHILDREN

Kelly Miles, 33, a manager from Portsmouth, Hampshire, has revealed how she manages to keep her children entertained during the six-week summer school holiday on a budget of £300 for activities. Miles has children aged 12 and 10, and said she wants them to have "lovely memories" without accumulating debt. For the previous two years she maintained a budget of £200, but has increased it to £300 this year due to rising prices, which equates to £50 per week. She attributed the increase to general inflation affecting costs across activities and services.

Miles prioritises free local options including free swimming sessions for under-12s, library visits and beach trips to keep costs low. She uses the Monzo banking app to set aside money in designated pots throughout the year for more expensive outings, which have included visits to a mud trail, aquapark, Legoland and theme parks using Merlin annual passes. Miles identified food as a frequently overlooked expense during school holidays and said she brings prepared meals and snacks in an insulated backpack to reduce spending. She stated that by employing these methods, she saves between £400 and £500 compared to what families might typically spend.

Miles said her approach originated from her experience as a single mother receiving benefits, when she was determined to avoid falling into debt. She encouraged other parents to adopt similar planning methods, emphasising the importance of identifying free local activities and planning day trips that require only minimal parking costs.