The sun is shining and here in Northern Ireland, we’ve been breaking records for the hottest temperature ever recorded in the nation. With the summer here, many of us will be taking a break from work and either choosing to head abroad or stay closer to home for a staycation.
Whatever you’re planning to do over the summer months, here are some ways you can look after your wallet while you do it.
Save Money on Exchange Fees
If you’re not planning to hop on a plane this summer, you may still be planning to take a trip to the Republic. And with great reason too, with sights like the Glenoe Waterfall and Carrick-a-Rede, and attractions like Spike Island and Blarney Castle, there’s plenty to see and do over the border.
But while most businesses on and near the border will often be happy to take payment in pounds or euros, you won’t always get the best exchange rates. Thankfully, it has never been easier to save money on currency exchange than it has been today.
Banks like Halifax offer credit cards that give you the exact exchange rate on purchases but not everyone is eligible. Another option is to create an account with a fintech company like Curve, which offers near-perfect exchange rates on purchases with no fees.
Find Vouchers and Deals
There are plenty of things to see and do locally and elsewhere in the country. Whatever you’re planning to do, you’ll almost certainly be able to find some money off vouchers or special deals to help you spend less.
Sites like Groupon are a great place to start as you can find offers from a wide variety of different businesses. No matter whether you’re looking for an afternoon of go-karting or a fancy meal for two, you’ll almost certainly find a saving.
You can also find great deals on restaurants by checking each company’s website and by checking sites like MoneySavingExpert and HotUKDeals.
You may find that some businesses offer better prices if you visit outside of their busiest periods, often during the week and in the daytime rather than evenings and weekends.
Save Money on Gaming
While some of us may choose to travel around, some of us may prefer to just kick back at home, soak up some sun (or hide from the rain), and do the things we enjoy. If your staycation plan involves playing games, then there are plenty of ways you can do this on a budget.
A great way to do this is to find free games that offer up all the same fun but without costing you a penny. You’ll find free versions of many of the most popular games, including Call of Duty: Warzone, Forza Motorsport 6: Apex, and Fortnite. Even games you wouldn’t expect can be enjoyed this way, with many online casinos offering free spins for their customers to use on real money slot games.
Check Out the Local Attractions
There are plenty of things to do in Northern Ireland to keep you busy all summer. With that in mind, there’s no need to spend money to travel anywhere else. Wake up in the comfort of your own bed and then get up and do something interesting each day.
Top experiences and activities in NI include the Titanic in Belfast, the March Arch Caves in County Fermanagh, and the Belfast Street Art Walking Tour. Once you begin to look at all the options available, you’ll be surprised at just how many great things there are to see and do here in Ulster.
Eat-in
No matter whether you’re travelling abroad or staying in Northern Ireland, you might be tempted to eat in restaurants for every meal while you’re on holiday. The problem is, this can soon begin to add up, and you’ll find yourself spending hundreds of pounds in just a matter of days.
Spending a few days eating in, whether that’s having a BBQ at home, ordering a takeaway to your hotel room, or taking advantage of the kitchen in your chalet, you’ll save a lot of cash this way.
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