If you’re anything like me, you’ll already be planning your holidays for 2018. If you’re super-excited about planning a getaway but aren’t so keen on the idea of spending a lot of money on a trip abroad, then a staycation might be best for you. More and more individuals, groups of friends, couples and families are choosing to holiday in their own country in recent years as there are plenty of places to explore at home in the UK and so much potential for saving money with this option. If you want to go even further and save money on the cost of your accommodation and activities, then you might want to consider a camping trip. Sure, it sounds like a rather chilly idea at this time of year, but planning ahead for the warmer weather can really help you to organise the holiday of your dreams and stick to your budget. I’ve put together some top tips to help you save even more money on the cost of camping…
TIP 1: BORROW OR RENT
If you’ve never been camping before and don’t have all the gear, then the cost of buying it could add up to more than you thought. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth investing in your own gear or don’t know whether you’re going to enjoy camping enough to go again after this trip, then you might want to consider borrowing or renting a tent and equipment instead. This is usually much cheaper, or even free of charge if you have a friend who’s willing to let you borrow their stuff to see what you think.
TIP 2: LOOK FOR DEALS
If you’ve decided that you’re going to buy some or all the gear that you need for your camping trip, then the good news is that it doesn’t have to break the bank. Shop around now for the best deals on camping and outdoor supplies; if you’re going to be shopping during the Boxing Day and New Year’s sales, then this is an excellent time to buy as many prices drop during the winter season. You can buy your camping, hunting and fishing gear at Woodbury Outfitters or you may even want to consider purchasing certain items second-hand; high quality brands tend to last a while and used camping gear can be just as good as brand new if it has been looked after well.
TIP 3: BOOK YOUR SITE IN ADVANCE
Bear in mind that as demand grows during the warmer months, campsites will start to fill up and there’s likely going to be a price hike when it comes to getting the spot that you want in your choice of site. Instead, start early when it comes to researching different camp sites and try to secure your spot as early as possible to avoid paying a premium. Booking a few months in advance usually means that the site will have plenty of available spaces, often leading to price reductions as they try to get more bookings secured during the winter. Along with that, you’ll have more choice over the area of the site that you stay in, too.
TIP 4: PREPARE FOOD IN ADVANCE
Lastly, to save money on your food whilst camping, it’s a good idea to prepare a menu in advance. If possible, use items that you already have in your cupboards at home to avoid spending any extra money at the supermarket. Pre-freeze meat and other fresh foods before putting in your cooler or ice box, to keep it from spoiling during your trip. It’ll be nicely defrosted when you need it, and help to keep other items cooler for longer. Check out this article on how to keep the ice from melting in the cooler.
Let me know if you have any other tips for newbie campers by leaving me a comment below. And if you do plan a camping holiday next year, have fun!
Photos from Pexels.com or by me 🙂
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