beat the brochure

There is nothing worse than, after finding the holiday deal of a lifetime, packing your bags and flying to your resort only to end up spending far much more than you budgeted for and returning home swearing blind you’ll never go abroad again.

If this sounds like something you have a) done before b) seems likely to happen to you or c) is what puts you off going aboard, hold your horses as with the help of Beat the Brochure you can prevent financial disasters when on budget holidays. And I don’t mean saving a couple of quid by changing your money up at the airport.

Do not Overestimate Your Child’s Intelligence

I thought that headline would get your attention. What I mean is most three year olds will not be able to tell the difference between a five star and a three star hotel. They will not appreciate the beauty of the world’s best beach if they have never been to one before. They will not be able to sample the exquisite food on offer as most of it will probably end up in their hair or all over their face. Of course, it would be lovely for you to experience all the finer things in life. But your kids will be happy so long as they have something to do each day. If you are putting off going abroad because you cannot afford a five star resort, just go on a cheap all inclusive holiday that the whole family will enjoy instead!

Avoid the Bright Lights

There is a belief at home and abroad that the busiest restaurants are the best ones. This is in the main true, however it is also true that restaurants in the more touristy areas will always be busy – and very expensive. Think about London as an example. A meal at a Covent Garden or Leicester Square restaurant will more often than not be more expensive compared to eating in a restaurant a few streets away, tucked away from the bright lights. Therefore when looking for a place to eat or have a few drinks stay away from the centre of town where everyone will automatically flock to. Do some research, ask a local or at reception for a list of smaller, less well-known restaurants or bars – they’ll be filled with locals and often offer better food and drink at more reasonable prices.

Beware of Hidden Charges

Quite often people end up spending more when abroad because they overlook the little things. For instance, in the USA, tipping at restaurants is a must. Failure to do so could lead to a very angry waitress and who may refuse to serve you again. This means that on top of every bill you should expect to pay 15-20% extra. It is also common for shops in the USA to list an item as a certain price on the shelf, and then add sales tax on at the till. If you are anything like me, you may be shamed in accepting the unexpected and rather inflated price rather than admit that you did not know additional charges needed to be added. Little things like this can really add up – one mistake and you could end up paying twice as much for a meal or shopping trip than you budgeted for!

Got any money saving tips when abroad? Let us know below by leaving your comment!