We’re all going on a summer holiday, no more worries for a week or two… Ah, Sir Cliff’s song still rings true for many at this time of the year, but funding a summer break can still cause a seriously furrowed brow.

If you’re aiming to get away for a week or two in the sun (or even the rain) here are a few Wonga tips for cutting back on costs and making sure you enjoy yourself without being left in debt until Christmas.

1. Be as flexible as our unique cash advance service! In other words, if your budget is limited, start with an open mind about where you might consider going, for how long and when. Lots of websites and traditional travel agents will provide inspiration and you can still find plenty of last minute deals if you’re not set on a particular destination or type of accommodation.

2. Book smart. If you’re prepared to commit yourself early and have the cash available, consider booking up to a year in advance when there are plenty of cheap seats and hotel rooms still available. That’s right - get next year’s holiday booked now! This may seem extreme but most agents, whether on or offline will be more than happy to find you a deal to start filling their books for next season now.

3. Be a night owl. If you’re prepared to catch flights, ferry crossings or trains at unsociable hours you’ll find better prices and it’s a small sacrifice to make.

4. If you’re set on going abroad, find out which countries you’ll get more Wonga for your pound first. Destinations such as South Africa are currently very cheap because the pound is strong.

5. Check your Nectar Points or Airmiles if you’re in such a reward scheme. You may be able to pay part or all of your travel expenses that way.

6. Not everyone is as transparent as Wonga when it comes to pricing. So make sure you shop around and read the small print when shopping for flights. Many budget airlines are introducing more add-on fees for everything from checking in to using the toilet. Make sure you understand all the costs you’ll be charged before booking.

Whatever you’re doing this summer, have a great break. And, should you need any last-minute cash, remember a short term loan from Wonga can provide you with funds that you can repay on a date that suits up to a month later.

It’s a big claim to make, but Wonga was highly commended by the judges of the International Business Awards this week - in the category of Best New Service or Product in Financial Services. So we’re certainly one of them according to them!

It’s another award to add to our growing Wonga wall of fame, but we never rest on our laurels or get any less of a buzz from such recognition. It’s always lovely to get some a pat on the back from time to time.

If you have never tried our short term loan service before, give it a try next time you need some urgent funds and be your own judge of whether we’re the best in the world.

If you’re a Wonga customer, you’ve still got a few weeks to tell your friends about our cash advance service and be entered in our big birthday draw. We’re celebrating our birthday all month as you can see from this lovely video!

Inspired by a recent article by the Times, here are a few tips for the so-called Credit Crunch Generation -students who are graduating into a world where jobs are increasingly hard to come by and banks aren’t always willing to help. As the Times points out:

As the UK jobless total soared past the 2.26m mark this month, David Blanchflower, the economist, said unemployment among young people had become a “national crisis”. The number of under-25s claiming jobseeker’s allowance has increased by more than 200,000 to 456,000 in the past 12 months, and almost 20% of those aged 16 to 25 are unemployed.

Grim reading indeed. So here are some suggestions for young people keen to keep their finances in good order while looking for that big break…

1. Check the terms of your current bank account, especially where overdrafts are concerned. You might not benefit from student deals for much longer, but see what you can hang onto and switch to a graduate, rather than regular account. Beware of huge overdraft fees should you go over your limit too - your bank is unlikely to be as understanding now you’ve no longer got student status. That means you could be charged as much as £20 per day for slipping over your limit with a regular account!

2. Consider moving back home. OK, so you’ve just been enjoying a taste of freedom, and the last thing you want to do is sponge off your folks, but you can come to an agreement about helping with bills and if you can find any kind of bridging employment you’ll actually be able to save for a deposit much faster than if you’re paying full rent. It could be a compromise worth making and setting a defined time period gives you  a clear goal. You won’t have to worry about repaying your student loan until you’re earning national average wage. 

3. Get into good habits right away and start a budget. It’s easy with a free service like ours and will make you feel more in control of your cash, even if you’re on a limited income for the time being. 

4. Always do your research when considering credit of any kind. A flexible Wonga loan can help with urgent expenses and means you’re not saddled with long term debt for example, but it wouldn’t be a good way of financing a car purchase. Likewise, a traditional bank loan may seem appealing but will require a long term commitment. There’s more information about borrowing and debt on our website.