Six tips for keeping down costs on last-minute holiday essentials

HEADING off to sunnier climes for the Easter holidays?

Last-minute essential buys can burst your budget, so try these cost-cutting tips.

BUDDY UP: If you are travelling with friends or another family, team up to split items such as and first-aid kits so you don’t have to buy separate products.

HOTEL HOTLINE: Spending time in a hotel?

Ring ahead as many provide free cots, high chairs and even buckets and spades.

Some loan out baby monitors, bottle warmers and pool toys, too, so it’s worth checking before you travel.

KIT HITS: Keeping kids distracted is the key to stress-free travel.

At , find a Hoppy Easter activity pack with colouring pencils and stickers for £1.49, or at find a similar Easter colouring book for £1.50.

BE CASE CANNY: Make like and use a shoe hanging organiser, £3.79, amazon.co.uk, for each person, packing a daily outfit in each pocket.

Then fold them up in your case.

Another option is to pack each case using your bags for life or tote bags to organise and separate tops, bottoms, underwear and shoes.

A pill organiser works for hair clips and tiny toys, too.

BRING A BOTTLE: Make sure every family member brings a reusable water bottle.

Take the empty bottles through airport security and refill to stay hydrated on the plane and on the beach.

SNACK SAVER: If you want to cut costs on the journey to your destination, and while there, pack a bag of snacks for the duration of your break.

Rollback has returned, with so many discounts on baby food and kids’ nibbles, so bulk buy — and when the kids are nagging for an ice cream, whip out the snack bag and give them a low-cost treat

• All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of the day

IT’S almost BBQ time, so pick up this budget Outsunny one for £29.59, down from £36.99, at B&Q.

SAVE: £7.40

Cheap treat

BRING the scent of spring indoors with the Green Basilicum candle, £2, down from £2.99, at H&M.

SAVE: 99p

Top swap

WANT a new scent for the new season? Tom Ford Neroli Portofino is stunning, but costs £145 for 30ml at spacenk.com.

Instead, try M&S’s Sea Salt & Neroli, 100ml, for £12.50.

SAVE: £132.50

Shop & save

THE Ombre girl’s swimsuit at Matalan is great for the hols and down in price – £6.80 to £8.50, depending on size.

SAVE: up to £1.50

Hot right now

HEADING to a wedding? Check out the sale at schuh.co.uk, as a range of formal shoes has just been added, with pairs starting at £26.99.

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