How to make your Easter weekend as cost effective as possible

The Easter long weekend is fast approaching and if you’re anything like me, the idea of a four-day weekend might be the only thing keeping you sane during the hectic work week. A long weekend is the perfect opportunity to book a short holiday or splurge on a big Easter feast with your family.

But the cost of these activities can add up and make a dent in your savings - the National Retail Association has revealed that Australians are expected to spend $3.4 billion nationwide this Easter season.

If you have children, you will know that this holiday revolves mostly around chocolate which can get expensive depending on where you buy it and how much you buy.

Another popular activity is a trip to the Royal Easter Show, which can become a very expensive day, too.

Ways to save this Easter holiday

Food and Drinks

• Make a list of the essential food and drink and stick to the list when shopping!
• Compare the prices of Easter chocolate online to find the best deals before buying.
• Drink at home rather than at the pub - alcohol is rarely cheap, but buying from a bottle shop rather than a licenced premises will help reduce overall costs

The Easter Show

• Tickets: Look into them before you go - buying a ticket at the event can be time consuming and potentially more expensive than buying online. Online ticket prices - try Ticketmaster where standard tickets are $39 each and children or student tickets are $23.50. There is also a deal for families of 4, where you get 4 tickets for $99 (T&Cs apply) which saves you $26 overall. 
• Parking: Get public transport to the show (trains and buses available) rather than paying $30 for all day parking at Sydney Olympic Park.
• Limit the amount you spend on food while at the show - maybe even bring snacks for between meals to keep you or the kids going.
• Showbags are an integral part of the Easter Show experience but can be very costly, so make sure you budget for them.   

With Easter coming up, you might want to revaluate your shopping strategy. If you’re likely to use a credit card, be sure you are getting the lowest interest rates and best rewards possible. Mozo has done all the hard work for you and compared the best credit cards on the market - have a look to find one that’s right for you.