It is the peak holiday booking season as we look forward to summer sunshine. But first of all you need to make sure you get a great deal for your flight, hotel, hire car and holiday money. And as soon as you book you must protect the dream with travel insurance.

We tell you how to avoid being ripped off by hire car companies, which are the best days to travel, and how to avoid extra costs.

Avoid airport currency exchange bureaux and when abroad always pay in the local currency.

Read the terms and conditions before you book, highlighter pen in hand, so that you are not shocked by by the cost for extra mileage on your hire car and know that trying to return the vehicle empty is the most expensive deal.

Budget airlines are not always the cheapest and since Brexit passports expire sooner than you think. Check yours.

Holiday bargains are not always what they seem. But holiday memories are worth the prep.

Please send ideas questions, tips and warnings about rip-offs to Mrs Mean through the contact page on her website: www.mrsmeanmoneyshow.co.uk or to infomrsmean@gmail.com

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Millions of credit card customers face a big increase in the cost of their borrowing, but many will not know.
Barclaycard is reducing the minimum payments that customers will be charged from July. Someone owing £2,500 will have a minimum payment of £71. 21 from July down from £89.96 - an apparent saving of £18 a month.
But this move alone increases the cost of paying off balances because customers paying the minimum will be paying the high interest charges for longer.
Not only is the company reducing the monthly payments but it is also increasing the interest rates at the same time by about 15% from 18.71% to 21.59% for example. So not only are cardholders paying for longer, but they are also paying a higher rate of interest.
The cost of paying off card balances could cost thousands of pounds more if minimum payments are made every month. A customer choosing to pay £100 on a £2,500 debt instead of £71.21 would save a massive £3,522.57 in interest.
Pay as much as you can each month or apply for a zero interest card to pay off debts even quicker.

"From Passion to Purpose" is a podcast that explores the world of nonprofit...

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Please send ideas questions, tips and warnings about rip-offs to Mrs Mean through the contact page on her website: mrsmeanmoneyshow.co.uk or to infomrsmean@gmail.com

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Children are very expensive, especially if you work.
The government has increased the financial help it gives towards child care costs so that the parents of two-year-olds can now get a contribution towards the costs. But this is still likely to be a lot less than is needed.
The official line is that two-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours free child care a week if the parents each earn less than £100,001 a year. But when school holidays are taken into account the free care is equivalent to one 10-hour day a week and extra costs for food and nappies are also likely to be added. And that is if you can find a child care place.
Budgets for babies are undoubtedly stretched making it vital that parents get every bit of help they can to cover the costs of children.

"From Passion to Purpose" is a podcast that explores the world of nonprofit...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Please send ideas questions, tips and warnings about rip-offs to Mrs Mean through the contact page on her website: mrsmeanmoneyshow.co.uk or to infomrsmean@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.