Ease the financial burden of school holidays

Log on to our summer holidays Web TV show to find out how to avoid spending beyond your means keeping the kids entertained

Chat date: Thursday 24th July
Chat time: 12.30pm

As the school summer holidays kick off this week, the average British family of four can look forward to a massive dent in their pockets simply from keeping the kids entertained for 6 weeks.

Entertaining the kids with trips to swimming pools, theme parks and bowling alleys all add up, with numbers reaching worrying heights, according to new research by parenting club Bounty. These are the sorts of costs that many families struggle to afford, particularly at the moment.

So how can parents make sure the kids have fun in their holidays without breaking the bank of mum and dad? Many parents now dread the financial burden of the holidays, and worry they won't be able to meet their children's expectations.

Log in to our live Web TV chat to ask personal finance Jasmine Birtles your family summer spending queries. Jasmine can help you work out exactly where day to day cut backs can be made and how much money is available each week to spend on food, day trips, entertainment and treats over the summer. She also has tips for families looking for less costly alternatives to theme parks and restaurants - think picnics, water fights and trips to the seaside!

Family personal finance expert Jasmine Birtles joins us live online at www.webchats.tv/chats/Parenting/easethefinancialburdenofschoolholidays on Thursday 24th July at 12.30pm to discuss saving money during the summer holidays.