Having a summer holiday can feel like a luxury in the current cash-strapped climate - but there are ways you can enjoy a break without breaking the bank.
The majority of us need to put aside some cash to be able to book and cover the cost of our summer holiday.
Personal finance blogger Demi Jackson aka @Savingmoneybish on Instagram says the common steps to cutting your holiday costs - like booking outside of school holidays or using price comparison sites - are not cutting it anymore.
She also noted that extra costs can often pop up which can hit your holiday budget.
Demi says holiday-goers need to turn to the "lesser-known opportunities" to save cash when saving for their trip, booking it, and when on it.
Demi shared her six top tips exclusively with the Mirror on how you can make your money stretch further when on your summer holiday this year.
Make the most of cashback technology
Demi explained how several cashback apps have partnered with airlines and are rewarding users for flight bookings - the same is also true for accommodation.
By booking your flights or accommodation through these apps or websites you could get a bit of money back on your booking - which you could possibly use towards your break.
Demi explained: "A great example is the mortgage overpayment app Sprive, which has linked up with AirBnB, which gives a 5% cashback, and LastMinute.com and gives a 4% cashback.
"To put that into perspective, a £600 AirBnB booked through Shop with Sprive means a free £30 towards your mortgage."
"Not bad at all, I'll be using it again."
Find the cheapest flights in real-time
If your holiday dates are pretty much fixed, Demi says you should consider using the "Explore Everywhere" option for flights using your holiday dates.
When you do this, you'll usually see a list of all the flights leaving from your chosen airport on that date, in order of cheapest to most pricey.
It is a great option if you can't be flexible with dates, but you're up for trying somewhere totally different.
You also shouldn't be turned off by places you've never considered before, if you do a bit of reading online and you might find a place has all the sun, sea, sand and everything else you're looking for.
Demi said: "Whether I’m planning a holiday or not, I get a real kick out of the "Explore Everywhere" search function.
"June’s cheapest UK flights include a £15 return to Eindhoven, a £21 return to Venice, and a £33 return to Cyprus. Amazing!"
Specify your criteria, not your destination
Before diving in and booking your holiday destination, Demi recommends you sit and think about what you want from your holiday.
Are you needing a break? or are you wanting to explore?
Demi noted that what you want from the holiday is often more important than the destination - so you could always choose a cheaper place to go.
As said before, you shouldn't be turned off by places you have not heard of before as many less popular places may have everything you're looking for.
She said: "Whether your perfect holiday is spent relaxing by the pool, soaking up the culture, or hiking through the mountains, it can save you money to specify what you want from a holiday, rather than where you want to go.
"Italy has warm waters, historical towns and great food - but so too does Bulgaria at a fraction of the price. "
Avoid foreign currency transactions
Many holidayers face foreign transaction fees while making purchases or withdrawing cash whilst away and in an increasingly cashless world more people are going to be hit with these unexpected fees.
You might not realise it at the time but it can add quite a significant amount to your purchases which can really hit hard if you're trying to holiday on a budget.
Demi explains: "The average 2.75% fee for foreign currency transactions can soon add up.
"Some challenger banks offer customers zero-fee international use for credit/debit cards, so setting up a new account with one of these banks in advance of your holiday could help keep costs to a minimum."
Consider a ‘mystery destination'
In a bid to avoid inflated airfares and expensive holiday prices, a number of travellers are looking into booking their summer strips through "Mystery Holiday" schemes.
Wowcher has gained a strong following thanks to its incredibly popular "£99 Mystery Holiday deal".
As the name suggests, holidaymakers spend a set price to jet off abroad to a mystery destination with flights and accommodation included in the £99 fee.
Demi explained: "Mystery Holidayschemes has become one of my favourite recommendations for travellers with an adventurous spirit.
"For just £99, special deals can include flights and hotel stays to one of many destinations – from European cities and Mediterranean beaches to New York, Dubai and Barbados."
Although it sounds fabulous, sometimes you can face extra charges. Wowchers deal only lets you fly from London airports for the £99 fee - so if you're based somewhere else you will face an extra charge to change your location.
There may be also extra in the small print so it is worth checking that out too before you book.
Automate your savings
Demi said she was a "big advocate" for her so-called "sinking funds" which is where she puts aside money on a regular basis for expected big purchases before they arise.
She explained: "For example, I have a running holiday pot in one of my accounts that automatically sets aside around £50 a month.
"Whether I’ve planned a holiday or not, that money quietly accumulates until the time comes – out of sight and out of temptation!
"As someone who is prone to worrying about money, sinking funds allow me to save and spend on so-called luxuries without that feeling of guilt."
