Six tips for keeping down costs on last-minute holiday essentials

HEADING off to sunnier climes for the Easter holidays?

Last-minute essential buys can burst your budget, so try these cost-cutting tips.

A woman closes a packed yellow suitcase.
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We have six tips for keeping down costs of last-minute holiday essentials[/caption]

BUDDY UP: If you are travelling with friends or another family, team up to split items such as sunscreen and first-aid kits so you don’t have to buy separate products.

HOTEL HOTLINE: Spending time in a hotel?

Ring ahead as many provide free cots, high chairs and even buckets and spades.

Some loan out baby monitors, bottle warmers and pool toys, too, so it’s worth checking before you travel.

KIT HITS: Keeping kids distracted is the key to stress-free travel.

At Home Bargains, find a Hoppy Easter activity pack with colouring pencils and stickers for £1.49, or at Poundland find a similar Easter colouring book for £1.50.

BE CASE CANNY: Make like Stacey Solomon and use a shoe hanging organiser, £3.79, amazon.co.uk, for each person, packing a daily outfit in each pocket.

Then fold them up in your case.

Another option is to pack each case using your bags for life or tote bags to organise and separate tops, bottoms, underwear and shoes.

A pill organiser works for hair clips and tiny toys, too.


BRING A BOTTLE: Make sure every family member brings a reusable water bottle.

Take the empty bottles through airport security and refill to stay hydrated on the plane and on the beach.

SNACK SAVER: If you want to cut costs on the journey to your destination, and while there, pack a bag of snacks for the duration of your break.

Asda Rollback has returned, with so many discounts on baby food and kids’ nibbles, so bulk buy — and when the kids are nagging for an ice cream, whip out the snack bag and give them a low-cost treat

Couple loading a car for a holiday.
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Last-minute essential buys can burst your budget[/caption]

  • All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

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This Outsunny is £29.59, down from £36.99, at B&Q

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SAVE: £7.40

Cheap treat

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This Green Basilicum candle is £2, down from £2.99, at H&M

BRING the scent of spring indoors with the Green Basilicum candle, £2, down from £2.99, at H&M.

SAVE: 99p

What’s new?

AS part of its 365 Days Of SPF campaign, Face The Future (facethefuture.co.uk) is ditching the VAT on suncare brands such as La Roche-Posay until October 31.

That’s a 20 per cent saving.

Top swap

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum, 30 ml bottle.
Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino is £145 for 30ml
100ml bottle of Sea Salt & Neroli Eau de Toilette.
M&S’s Sea Salt & Neroli is £12.50 for 100ml

WANT a new scent for the new season? Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is stunning, but costs £145 for 30ml at spacenk.com.

Instead, try M&S’s Sea Salt & Neroli, 100ml, for £12.50.

SAVE: £132.50

Little helper

GET kids into sport with the Lawn Tennis Association youth starter offer. For £4.99, get a junior racket, a set of tennis balls and access to free taster sessions.

There are 10,000 sets available at lta.org.uk.

Shop & save

Rainbow ombre swimsuit with side lacing.
This Ombre girl’s swimsuit at Matalan is down to £6.80 to £8.50, depending on size

THE Ombre girl’s swimsuit at Matalan is great for the hols and down in price – £6.80 to £8.50, depending on size.

SAVE: up to £1.50

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