'Frugal mum' shares top tips for holidaying on a budget

HIDDEN DEALS AND FREE FAMILY FUN ARE NATALIE'S BIG SECRETS

- By IMOGEN HOWSE

A SELF-professed “frugal” mum-of-two from Dymchurch has shared her top tips for cheap family holidays as well as her secrets for finding free day trips.

Natalie Smith, 35, says there are plenty of ways to plan fun activities for your family, without breaking the bank.

She says plenty of organisations offer free entry for children at their locations and events, but simply don't advertise it - meaning you just have to know where to look.

When it comes to holidays, Ms Smith, a full-time blogger, says that planning is key particularly for things like checking whether hotels or resorts offer any activities or other perks included in the price.

She also says you have to be flexible potentially planning trips around the cheapest flight dates - or consider alternative options, such as driving to various countries in Europe.

Ms Smith is certain her tips work, as she and her husband Jason have been using them for years to take their children Finn, 14, and Lola, 12, on countless memorable trips.

She said: "We started living like this because we had such a small income when the kids were younger that we knew if we wanted to take them on holidays and trips, we'd have to change things.

"Things are easier now, but it becomes a way of life so we are still budgeters. It's what suits our values.

"We would rather do lots of things than have lots of things, so we scrimp in some places to make sure we can travel and have amazing experiences."

Ms Smith says one of the ways she keeps costs down, while keeping the kids entertained, is to have "no spend" weekends. This involves tracking down free events.