Keeping the kids busy during summer can be difficult
Money worries and the summer holidays are generally two thoughts that come together at this time of the year.
You're struggling to find cheap, but fun ways of keeping the kids entertained and then there is the constant increase of the prices of fuel.
A survey by Bridgestone UK found that the high cost of fuel, when combined with other rising household costs, could mean the end of family fun this summer.
Seventy per cent of mums are worried that the summer break will be less exciting for the kids because the cost of fuel is making it difficult fot them to get out and about as much.
"It's no surprise that mums are feeling the pinch more than anyone else, especially with the summer holidays underway," says Andy Dingley, Bridgestone UK comminications manager.
"Times are quite hard for families at the moment and it seems that they are desperate to cut costs anywhere they can."
Using the car much less than they used to and getting rid of one of the family cars have been some of the options that parents have had to take in the past year.
Andy adds: "Summer is traditionall the time of year when mums enjoy taking their kids to new places and trying new things. But with fuel costs rising, this is something that mums seem to be increasingly willing to cut back on."
However, one in four UK mums is understandably very relectant to give up their cars. They say that if it came to a choice they would prefer to turn off the heating at home rather than stop using the car.
Andy continues: "Our research shows that people are sacrificing journeys because they simply can't afford to fill up as much, but we now have cars that not only harm the environment less but they run on electricity and are capable of travelling 100 miles for £2. There are even cars powered on chocolate.
"High prices at the pump, coupled with the fact that families have less money in their pockets will have an impact on not only how we drive, but what we drive too. Eco-friendly vechiles that use fuels other than petrol or diesel are no longer concept cars of the future, they are production cars of today."
When it comes to coming up with ways t reduce the family's outgoings, a majority of mums say that more often than not, they are the ones that are in the driving seat.
The most popular ways that mums are finding to reduce the family’s outgoings are:
1. Buy supermarket own brands
2. Choose BOGOF deals
3. Use the central heating less
4. Use more coupons
5. Turn off the lights
6. Take packed lunches to work rather than buy snacks
7. Stay at home more
8. Less treats for the kids
9. Walk instead of using the car
10. Use up leftovers
11. Mend or fix things rather than throw them away
12. Make kids wear more hand me downs
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in Parenting