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Portsmouth Mother Plans Six‑Week Summer With Just £300 for Activities

Year‑round saving into Monzo 'pots' to pay for occasional splurges shows how parents are stretching family budgets in the face of higher prices.

Overview

  • Late July coverage shows Kelly Miles, 33, says she will spend £300 in total on activities across the six‑week school holidays, which she calculates at about £50 per week and up from a previous £200 cap.
  • She accumulates money year‑round in Monzo 'pots' and tops them up as summer nears to fund pricier days out without using credit.
  • Planned paid outings this year include a local mud trail, an aquapark and visits to Legoland and other theme parks where Merlin annual passes cut per‑visit costs.
  • Kelly makes free local options the backbone of her plan, using library events, free under‑12 swim sessions, beaches and country parks to fill most days at little or no cost.
  • She identifies food and on‑site purchases as the biggest hidden expense and says bulk buying, packed lunches, an insulated backpack and reusable bottles save money; her claimed overall savings from this approach are roughly £400–£500 and are self‑reported.