by Taylor J. Kovar, CEO – Kovar Capital

–Hey Taylor – Every year, I feel my anxiety levels shoot up at the beginning of November. Any tips for surviving Thanksgiving and Christmas without going broke? – Gwen

–Hey Gwen – I sympathize completely. We want our holiday seasons to be full of joy, and yet this time of year is absolutely treacherous when it comes to finances. You have to bite the bullet on certain expenses, but you can find a few ways to cut costs and come out ahead. Here are the three main areas of concern.

Head for it, if a great family camping trip is what you’re looking for, because not only does is the locale great but there are numerous outdoor activities scope and fun-filled opportunities awaiting visitors. The natural beauty in Isle of Wight and surrounding grounds is so spectacular that the rest of the organized events ‘some age-centered and others free-for-all’ are sidelined in just taking in the immense picturesque flavor abounding here. Among the many campground choices in Isle of Wight, some offer beach-access and opportunities for high quality shopping as well. Here you will get recommended site for the best holiday park lodges Isle Of Wight options.

The most obvious thing that you can do here is to take a tour of the distilleries. You will even avail to yourself the opportunity of free tastes. The most popular distilleries for this purpose is Ardbeg and Bowmore distilleries. You will find visitor centres and tour guides here. In order to tour other distilleries, book for an appointment.

You may access the isle of Jura; which is five minutes from Port Askaig via ferry. If you are in the main village at Jura, the ferry terminal is 8 miles away. Besides, public transport is limited. If you are so inclined, you may want to take a day trip to the Isle of Colonsay on CalMac ferries during the season of summer on Wednesdays only.

Islay is quite accessible and you will be able to get easily between towns and villages by busses. If you are feeling adventurous, you may want to hitch-hike. Consider cycling as well, as there are bicycles for hire in Bowmore, which is located adjacent to the post office. If you wish to drive a car instead, you can find two companies that rent out cars.

For leisure activities such as swimming, gym and sauna, visit McTaggart leisure centre, Bowmore. There are charming eateries that cater to your main meals and snacks. Grab a drink at one of these outlets if you feel inclined.

When planning a holiday, one of the decisions to be made is where you will stay. Accommodations can be one of the biggest expenses and also can set the tone for your holiday. If you are traveling with family then an affordable choice is a holiday park. At Absolute Back Packers you get all the travel related information in detail.

Holiday parks are perfect for families as they may be able to offer you connecting rooms or even a cabin with bedrooms and a kitchen. Many holiday parks have a space for your caravan if you want to bring one along. Another option in the park might be a hotel room or camping in the park. And to get the affordable hotel room visit to the Avalon Beach hotel website.

The cost of these accommodations is sure to be a bargain compared to most hotels. The added bonus is that if you have a self-catered kitchen you may be able to cook together as a family with fresh ingredients bought at a local market or caught on your fishing line. Not only will it make the holiday more special it can also help you save on expenses.

Holiday parks are more than a place to sleep. Most parks have amenities to make your stay fun for everyone in the family. Swimming pools, either indoors or out, can be a fun way to relax. A “splash park” is a newer feature offered by some parks with fountains and fun water activities.

Holiday parks might offer entertainment as well. The type of entertainment available depends on the sort of park you choose. A park geared toward adults might have dinner shows, a bar, bands or entertainers. A park with family activities might offer daytime activities such as crafts, storytelling, or sports competitions.

Also included on the grounds of some parks are tennis courts, areas for other sports, or bicycle rentals. They may also have sporting equipment for you to use. Most parks have a children’s playground where the kids can spend hours playing the sun and making friends.

If Dad wants to challenge the kids to a video game in the arcade there is likely to be one at the holiday park. You might also be able to play air hockey or rack up the balls on a pool table. At some parks there is a book exchange for travelers or an internet café. Some parks are now even offering wireless internet so you can stay connected.

Holiday parks are not just in the countryside. You can find them near the sea, in or near the city, or on a farm. Whatever your destination, chances are that a holiday park is nearby. Each park is unique in style, location, amenities, and the accommodations offered. With variety of choices available it is easy to find the right place for your holiday.

  1. Travel. If you fly to see family for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, you can’t really escape the price of plane tickets. Thanksgiving hosts the two most expensive travel days of the year – the Wednesday before and the Sunday after – so avoiding those days will make at least some difference. Christmas isn’t much better unless you choose to fly on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve. You can even visit a holiday park https://lakefyansholidaypark.com.au/ accommodation in the grampians. The best solutions are to travel on unconventional days, rack up miles during the year, and buy your tickets about one month before you fly. When it comes to sales sites, I really like CheapOair.com. I’ve had success finding cheap flights all over the country with this site, even during busy travel times.
  2. Gifts. Do you make a list of who you need to buy for before you create a holiday budget? If so, you need to flip your process. Figure out how much you can spend and then break it down to see how much you can afford per person. If you have a lot of debt, it might require less gift-giving than you’re used to, but that’s the only way to turn things around and stop feeling the financial dread you’re currently experiencing. You can also shop wisely – using 2-for-1 deals and homemade gifts that help you save. Generosity is a wonderful thing, but you can’t let it put you in the red.
  3. Incidentals. Most people don’t realize how much unnecessary spending happens as a result of all the necessary holiday purchases. After a trip to the mall, you’ll be well aware of the $300 you spent on toys and electronics. However, the $20 you dropped on coffee and lunch might slip out of your brain. With all the time off from work and disruption to your routine, you can drop $500 on food and gas and movies without blinking an eye. If you can fight these spending urges, you’ll save a ton of money over the next two months.

I’ve got a few more tricks for holiday savings in my Thanksgiving post at GoFarWithKovar.com. The more you plan ahead, the less terrifying the holidays will be.