Average family will spend nearly a fifth more than their holiday budget in unanticipated costs Consumer expert Simon Read shares his holiday budget planning tips Search for: Holidaymakers have to find an extra £536.80 due to poor planning New research from ATOL, the holiday protection scheme, has found British families are willing to spend 13% more on their holiday this year compared to last year, with a family of four now set to spend an average of £3,133 on their annual break. However the research into holiday spending habits also revealed unexpected holiday costs leave travellers in the red on their return. ATOL’s research revealed that two thirds of holiday makers (61%) struggle with budgeting on holiday. As families relax into their holiday it also seems they relax their purse strings with more than one in ten (12%) admitting they don’t keep track of what they are spending and then get a shock when they come to settle the bill at the end of the trip. A family of four holidaying abroad should set aside an average of £536.80, to cover unexpected costs, the equivalent of two return flights to the Canary Islands or a four day pass to Disneyland Paris. Head of ATOL, Andy Cohen, said: “Holiday costs can mount up quickly, while you’re enjoying your holiday, making it very easy to overspend. “Our research also showed the unexpected can...