July

It's the summer hols, and millions need to entertain the kids. So we wanted to come up with ways to create some unforgettable summer magic for free (or very cheap), from writing to the royals to 'painted rocks' treasure hunts.

Don't think muddy canvas, lumpy groundsheets and communal washrooms, these days European holiday park accommodation (such as Eurocamp's) is often well-equipped mobile homes with your own bathroom. What's more, these types of holidays can smash hotels on price.

Whenever my family and I go anywhere on holiday these days, as soon as we get to the airport and get out the car we have a bit of a kerbside ritual. My wife grabs a large roll of Sellotape, my six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter lay two giant sheets of bubble wrap down on the pavement, and we get to work. It sounds a bit Blue Peter – and gets us a few odd stares. But over the past few years it’s saved us £100s...

"Being a mortgage prisoner has been hell to me, you worry about losing your home, you can't plan on starting a family and moving forward with your life. The whole experience affects your mental wellbeing and this has now got to stop." – MSE user.

The summer break is looming, and if you want to get your kids doing something fun and productive, Sainsbury's runs holiday clubs for children aged 5-15 in 70 locations across England and Wales.