The school holidays are a great opportunity to spend more quality time you’re your kids. Still, keeping them entertained without overspending is easier when the weather is great and they can run around outdoors. Winter school holidays makes it a little trickier, but we’ve got some tips to help you save money while ensuring your kids have fun.

Plan ahead and set a budget

Don’t get halfway through the holidays and realise you’ve blown your budget. Before they begin, sit down and create a list of the activities you’d like to do. Do your homework to estimate the costs so you can scrap the ones that might hurt your wallet and replace them with less expensive - or free - alternatives. Once you have a budget, you can stick to it and avoid impulsive spending that might put you in the red.

Skip the movie snacks

You can protect your piggy bank by hosting movie marathons at home. Still, if your kids are dying to see Inside Out 2 on the big screen, skip out the movie snacks. At present, buying a regular-sized box of popcorn, regular-sized drink and a packet of sweets at the cinema can set back a family of four almost R400. You can save big by bringing your own nibbles and can ensure they’re healthier too.

Have an indoor adventure

It’s raining. It’s pouring. But that doesn’t mean your kids can’t run around and have fun. Many large malls offer entertaining indoor activities for kids, especially during the holiday period, so see what’s on offer at yours. As an example, the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town boasts a kids’ activity park, scratch patch and Cave Golf course that are all indoors and easy on the pocket.

Head out for dessert

Taking a family of four out to lunch at a popular steakhouse chain could easily set you back R800. To enjoy the pleasure of eating out without the big bill, rather make a date for dessert. Ensure the kids have eaten at home so nobody arrives ravenous then pop out to split a waffle and ice cream sundae. Eating out is a treat but you don’t have to order a 3-course meal to enjoy it.

It can really pay off to plan

On the subject of planning and saving, now’s a good time to remind you that the best time to take out a life insurance policy is today. The younger and healthier you are, the lower your premiums will be. At MiWayLife, we make it easy. You can purchase your policy online and pay just one low monthly premium for our affordable 4-in-1 policy. It includes comprehensive life insurance as well as accelerated funeral cover, a terminal illness benefit and the option to get funeral cover for all your family members if you cover them as additional lives on your policy. This way, you get more value for your money and can relax over the holidays, knowing you’ve created a financial safety net for your family to enjoy real peace of mind.

Did you know:

You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.