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January is the month when many people start to think about where to head to in the summer for a holiday, but if you’re a parent to school-age-children it could end up costing you a fortune.

Prices for package deals can more than double during the school holidays which is why some parents take their children out of school during term-time.

But there is another way to enjoy the perfect family holiday during the school holidays without breaking the bank and it may be an idea you've not thought of.

One Martin Lewis fan said she saved £6,000 on the cost of three holidays by following his advice.

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As Martin explains on his MSE website: “Most schools in England and Wales break up around the week starting 20 July. So book for before then if your school finishes sooner, eg many in Leicestershire break up 8 July this summer.

We found a week's four-star self-catering in Dalaman for £449pp leaving 10 July, but £736pp two weeks after.”

If you live in northern England or northern Wales it might be worth considering flying from Scotland because their school holiday dates are different.

“Fly from Scotland in the last two weeks of August, even if you don't live there. As Scottish schools generally return around 12 Aug, you can make big savings by flying the family out from Scotland instead.

"We saw the same Rhodes all-inclusive holiday flying from Edinburgh for £354pp less than flying from Manchester. It works in reverse too.”

And if you live in south Scotland, why not think about flying from northern England? As the website explains: “Fly from England in late June/early July, even if you don't live there. So on 27 Jun, the day after most Scottish schools break up, a three-star all-inclusive week in Majorca was £1,010pp flying from Glasgow, but just £695pp from Liverpool.

Alison told MSE: "We saved about £6,000 over three holidays flying with Tui from Manchester instead of locally at Glasgow and Edinburgh. That includes petrol, extra meals & a hotel the night before."

If this doesn’t work for you, then bear in mind that the last two weeks of summer are usually cheaper as prices drop rapidly at the end of August. MSE spotted a week's three-star self-catering in Lake Garda was £1,019pp leaving 29 July, but £752pp leaving 22 Aug.

Last but not least, consider having your ‘summer’ holiday in October half-term instead. This idea is one I can personally vouch for and it will save you a fortune. MSE found a week's five-star all-inclusive in Crete for £1,121pp in Oct half-term, but £1,832pp in early August.

Whereas I always saved a few hundred pounds taking my daughter on her main holiday in May when she was school age.