Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
Jun 1st 2008, 10:54 am
#31
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2003
Location: Gold Coast Hinterland
Posts: 2,359
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
If you have an Aldi nearby, then shop there.
Only buy furniture, bedding, clothes etc in the sales (Jan and Jun-ish). Usually much better reductions than in UK.
Look for factory outlets for anything and everything.
Think in 'industrial' quantities. eg don't buy plastic bags of mulch, soil, fertiliser, grass seed at Bunnings - a lorry-load (or similar) may cost less than a dozen bags.
Ask for a discount, for bulk, for cash, for luck.
Pay off credit card every month. Get a card with rewards/points you can exchange for shopping vouchers then use it to pay bills, rates, insurance and anyone who doesn't give a discount for cash.
Only buy furniture, bedding, clothes etc in the sales (Jan and Jun-ish). Usually much better reductions than in UK.
Look for factory outlets for anything and everything.
Think in 'industrial' quantities. eg don't buy plastic bags of mulch, soil, fertiliser, grass seed at Bunnings - a lorry-load (or similar) may cost less than a dozen bags.
Ask for a discount, for bulk, for cash, for luck.
Pay off credit card every month. Get a card with rewards/points you can exchange for shopping vouchers then use it to pay bills, rates, insurance and anyone who doesn't give a discount for cash.
Jun 1st 2008, 11:06 am
#32
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,838
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
Here's a real money saver ,according to my BIL.Unfortunately I was on the receiving end of this tight arsed saving tip.
In the mornings when you languish in the first cup of tea of the day,BIL would hand me a luke warm cup of stewed tea.
On day 3 I enquired how the brew was prepared.
BIL "well what I do is, when we have a pot of tea during the day there's always a bit left in the pot but not enough for a cup".
Me (quizzically)"yeeess"
BIL 'Well I get all the dregs for the day and put them in a flask and that's what we have in the morning".
Brilliant ,why didn't I think of that.Must have saved himself at least 4p a day.
Use this at your peril.
He would also stand beside me when boiling the kettle on the stove and turn the gas off just before it boiled because he reckoned there was enough heat left in the ring to complete the process, thereby saving on gas.
In the mornings when you languish in the first cup of tea of the day,BIL would hand me a luke warm cup of stewed tea.
On day 3 I enquired how the brew was prepared.
BIL "well what I do is, when we have a pot of tea during the day there's always a bit left in the pot but not enough for a cup".
Me (quizzically)"yeeess"
BIL 'Well I get all the dregs for the day and put them in a flask and that's what we have in the morning".
Brilliant ,why didn't I think of that.Must have saved himself at least 4p a day.
Use this at your peril.
He would also stand beside me when boiling the kettle on the stove and turn the gas off just before it boiled because he reckoned there was enough heat left in the ring to complete the process, thereby saving on gas.
Jun 1st 2008, 11:11 am
#33
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: From SE Wales to SE Queensland.
Posts: 1,478
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
Here's a real money saver ,according to my BIL.Unfortunately I was on the receiving end of this tight arsed saving tip.
In the mornings when you languish in the first cup of tea of the day,BIL would hand me a luke warm cup of stewed tea.
On day 3 I enquired how the brew was prepared.
BIL "well what I do is, when we have a pot of tea during the day there's always a bit left in the pot but not enough for a cup".
Me (quizzically)"yeeess"
BIL 'Well I get all the dregs for the day and put them in a flask and that's what we have in the morning".
Brilliant ,why didn't I think of that.Must have saved himself at least 4p a day.
Use this at your peril.
He would also stand beside me when boiling the kettle on the stove and turn the gas off just before it boiled because he reckoned there was enough heat left in the ring to complete the process, thereby saving on gas.
In the mornings when you languish in the first cup of tea of the day,BIL would hand me a luke warm cup of stewed tea.
On day 3 I enquired how the brew was prepared.
BIL "well what I do is, when we have a pot of tea during the day there's always a bit left in the pot but not enough for a cup".
Me (quizzically)"yeeess"
BIL 'Well I get all the dregs for the day and put them in a flask and that's what we have in the morning".
Brilliant ,why didn't I think of that.Must have saved himself at least 4p a day.
Use this at your peril.
He would also stand beside me when boiling the kettle on the stove and turn the gas off just before it boiled because he reckoned there was enough heat left in the ring to complete the process, thereby saving on gas.
Beyond help I think!!
Jun 1st 2008, 11:27 am
#34
Wirral to Lake Macquarie
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 100
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
definately recommend aldi for shopping, we're a family of 5 and can usually do a weeks worth there for around $200, it is worth checking out your independant fruit and veg shops though and butchers as they are usually better quality and more for your money. buy in bulk, if you can stretch to a second freezer when you get here, stock it up with any bargains you see when your out shopping!!
register with freecycle.com, they will send you posts of stuff people are getting rid of in your local area, have got a few decent things through this, never now what might come up, furniture, toys, plants, mulch, etc. you can also put requests on for things, the response is usually quick!
save as much as you can whilst renting, it wont happen once you get a mortgage!
find out all the free things to do in the area!! and always take a picnic when you go out for the day!! the only thing you will have to buy then is the odd ice lolly for the kids!!
register with freecycle.com, they will send you posts of stuff people are getting rid of in your local area, have got a few decent things through this, never now what might come up, furniture, toys, plants, mulch, etc. you can also put requests on for things, the response is usually quick!
save as much as you can whilst renting, it wont happen once you get a mortgage!
find out all the free things to do in the area!! and always take a picnic when you go out for the day!! the only thing you will have to buy then is the odd ice lolly for the kids!!
Jun 1st 2008, 11:31 am
#35
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,838
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
yes he's a tight get alright.Would'nt it be great if I could get everyone on BE to send one tea bag to him in the post,from all over the world , with a little note saying ,I hope this little donation helps.Then again he'd probably worry about the amount of gas he'd have to use to boil them.
Jun 1st 2008, 11:50 am
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 3,162
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
register with freecycle.com, they will send you posts of stuff people are getting rid of in your local area, have got a few decent things through this, never now what might come up, furniture, toys, plants, mulch, etc. you can also put requests on for things, the response is usually quick!
Jun 1st 2008, 12:06 pm
#37
Forum Regular
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: townsville
Posts: 185
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
a good money saving site is simplesavings.com.au it was recommended to me by an aussi user of martins site in the uk. you have to pay to view certain areas, but i have found it to be very useful
Jun 1st 2008, 6:01 pm
#38
Happy migrant
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
Brilliant tips everyone! Keep em coming 
Jun 1st 2008, 6:54 pm
#39
Banned
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 697
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
For men/boys, instead of going to the hairdressers, buy those electric hair clippers and trim your hair on a O (complete skinhead) or a number 1,2,3 or 4 depending on how short you want it. Also for females who like the butch look.
Jun 1st 2008, 10:33 pm
#40
Victorian Evangelist
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Melbourne, by the beach, living the dream.
Posts: 7,704
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
Don't buy expensive 'ribbed' condoms, just buy an ordinary one and slip a handful of frozen peas inside it before you put it on.
Save money on expensive personalised car number plates by simply changing your name to match your existing plate. - Mr. KVL 741Y.
Don't waste money buying expensive binoculars. Simply stand closer to the object you wish to view.
A next door neighbour's car aerial, carefully folded, makes an ideal coat hanger in an emergency.
An empty aluminium cigar tube filled with angry wasps makes an inexpensive vibrator.
Sweetcorn fans. Save money on loo paper by simply pouring the stuff straight down the pan.
Smokers. Save on matches and lighters, by simply lighting your next fag from the butt of your last one.
FOOL other drivers into thinking you have an expensive car phone by holding an old TV or video remote control up to your ear and occasionally swerving across the road and mounting the kerb.
SAVE electricity by turning off all the lights in your house and walking around wearing a miner's hat.
HOUSEWIVES. I find the best way to get two bottles of washing-up liquid for the price of one is by putting one in your shopping trolley and the other in your coat pocket.
OLD telephone directories make ideal personal address books. Simply cross out the names and address of people you don't know.
WHEN reading a book try tearing out the pages as you read them. This saves the expense of buying a bookmark, and the pages can later be used for shopping lists.
SAVE petrol by pushing your car to your destination. Invariably passers-by will think you've broken down and help.
INCREASE the life of your carpets by rolling them up and keeping them in the garage.
SAVE on charity donations by spending a pound on clothes at a charity shop, then selling them for 50p to another charity shop. This way you can give twice as much, at half the cost. I think.
EXPENSIVE hair gels are a con. Marmalade is a much cheaper alternative, but beware of bees in the summer.
Make people think you have an expensive car phone by calling them, asking them to repeat everything they say and then hanging up half way through their reply.
Save on booze by drinking cold tea instead of whisky. The following morning you can create the effects of a hangover by drinking a thimble full of washing up liquid and banging your head repeatedly on the wall.
PEOPLE whose surname is Toblerone should always take along an empty 'Toblerone' chocolate box when attending interviews for office jobs. This would save your potential employer the expense of having to make a name plaque for your desk, and therefore increase your chances of getting the job.
Buzzy
Save money on expensive personalised car number plates by simply changing your name to match your existing plate. - Mr. KVL 741Y.
Don't waste money buying expensive binoculars. Simply stand closer to the object you wish to view.
A next door neighbour's car aerial, carefully folded, makes an ideal coat hanger in an emergency.
An empty aluminium cigar tube filled with angry wasps makes an inexpensive vibrator.
Sweetcorn fans. Save money on loo paper by simply pouring the stuff straight down the pan.
Smokers. Save on matches and lighters, by simply lighting your next fag from the butt of your last one.
FOOL other drivers into thinking you have an expensive car phone by holding an old TV or video remote control up to your ear and occasionally swerving across the road and mounting the kerb.
SAVE electricity by turning off all the lights in your house and walking around wearing a miner's hat.
HOUSEWIVES. I find the best way to get two bottles of washing-up liquid for the price of one is by putting one in your shopping trolley and the other in your coat pocket.
OLD telephone directories make ideal personal address books. Simply cross out the names and address of people you don't know.
WHEN reading a book try tearing out the pages as you read them. This saves the expense of buying a bookmark, and the pages can later be used for shopping lists.
SAVE petrol by pushing your car to your destination. Invariably passers-by will think you've broken down and help.
INCREASE the life of your carpets by rolling them up and keeping them in the garage.
SAVE on charity donations by spending a pound on clothes at a charity shop, then selling them for 50p to another charity shop. This way you can give twice as much, at half the cost. I think.
EXPENSIVE hair gels are a con. Marmalade is a much cheaper alternative, but beware of bees in the summer.
Make people think you have an expensive car phone by calling them, asking them to repeat everything they say and then hanging up half way through their reply.
Save on booze by drinking cold tea instead of whisky. The following morning you can create the effects of a hangover by drinking a thimble full of washing up liquid and banging your head repeatedly on the wall.
PEOPLE whose surname is Toblerone should always take along an empty 'Toblerone' chocolate box when attending interviews for office jobs. This would save your potential employer the expense of having to make a name plaque for your desk, and therefore increase your chances of getting the job.
Buzzy
Jun 1st 2008, 11:32 pm
#41
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Chelmer and Coolangatta
Posts: 612
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
Buzzy there's some killers there! The marmalade hair gel reminds me of when big hair was fashionable. When we ran out of hair mousse on holiday, rubbing soap into the roots worked pretty well! I can't believe I really did that, but it's true!Two more things I just thought of. (seriously)
According to a tv tip I heard last week, Friday is the cheapest day to do supermarket shopping. Something to do with weekly discounts being in place and also marked down stuff.
The other thing I heard recently is that increased food prices are mostly due to packaging costs. Packaging uses a lot of oil based products. Another reason to use markets etc.
Jun 2nd 2008, 1:07 am
#42
sneaking a peek ...
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Adelaide, SA
Posts: 3,320
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
It's a hard one to answer really because we are all so different.
I go to the supermarket and spend on average $300 per fortnight for 4 of us, whereas I know others that spend $300 per week on the same size family. I have no idea why it's more for them than me
but I do know that I very rarely go over that amount. Last fortnight's shopping was $240 and I still have lots left. I don't do any of the buying at grocer's and butchers etc - all my stuff is bought from Woolies.
Over the past few days I've seen things about pre existing and serious medical conditions costing you lots of money - well since getting here I've spent quite a lot of time at the docs, both for stuff that I had before I came and stuff I have got since getting here and it's cost me the grand total of $15 - that's ultrasounds, x-rays, physical exams with specialists, and a lot of other stuff that I don't want to discuss on here.
I really don't know why some people find it more expensive here I don't find it more expensive, but then again it's not cheap either. I seriously think that it depends on the person, and it all boils down to the old cliche of you spend what you earn
I go to the supermarket and spend on average $300 per fortnight for 4 of us, whereas I know others that spend $300 per week on the same size family. I have no idea why it's more for them than me
but I do know that I very rarely go over that amount. Last fortnight's shopping was $240 and I still have lots left. I don't do any of the buying at grocer's and butchers etc - all my stuff is bought from Woolies. Over the past few days I've seen things about pre existing and serious medical conditions costing you lots of money - well since getting here I've spent quite a lot of time at the docs, both for stuff that I had before I came and stuff I have got since getting here and it's cost me the grand total of $15 - that's ultrasounds, x-rays, physical exams with specialists, and a lot of other stuff that I don't want to discuss on here.
I really don't know why some people find it more expensive here
I don't find it more expensive, but then again it's not cheap either. I seriously think that it depends on the person, and it all boils down to the old cliche of you spend what you earni pick up the specials, avoid brand names (for most things) keep things like meat etc down to a strict price per kg ... and my big cost cutting push this last couple of weeks has still cost me $420 for the fortnight!?!
I do buy quite a lot of fruit and veg which works out fairly expensive but even then i try to pick up things in season to keep the costs down.
On the other hand i homemake most of our bread and send the kids to school with packed lunches.
how on earth do you manage $300? come on give us the secret!
A x
Jun 2nd 2008, 1:53 am
#43
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: In an ice box
Posts: 2,969
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
These tips were given on breakfast TV last week, buy your essentials on Friday as you get better offers, on bread, milk, cheese, meat, fruits.
Buy your dry stuff like washing powders, toothpaste things like that which doesn’t go off on Monday & Tuesday.
On wensday & Thursday buy other things which are not on the list basically if you have no life spend everyday in supermarkets to get that bit of special offer.
Cut your discretionary costs
1. Market shopping - Food is fresher and cheaper. Buy seasonal produce.
2. Entertainment book - If you like to go out, these books are indispensable. They cost about $50 and include dozens of discounts to restaurants, cinemas and other events.
3. Buy petrol on Tuesday
4. Gifts on sale - make the most of annual sales to buy gifts. Think ahead, buy early and put them away.
5. Library Membership - This is an excellent way of saving on books and magazines. Libraries contain all the latest books and magazines, and many of them allow you to search their catalogues online.
Give up somking, drinking, you save even more money.
Buy your dry stuff like washing powders, toothpaste things like that which doesn’t go off on Monday & Tuesday.
On wensday & Thursday buy other things which are not on the list basically if you have no life spend everyday in supermarkets to get that bit of special offer.
Cut your discretionary costs
1. Market shopping - Food is fresher and cheaper. Buy seasonal produce.
2. Entertainment book - If you like to go out, these books are indispensable. They cost about $50 and include dozens of discounts to restaurants, cinemas and other events.
3. Buy petrol on Tuesday
4. Gifts on sale - make the most of annual sales to buy gifts. Think ahead, buy early and put them away.
5. Library Membership - This is an excellent way of saving on books and magazines. Libraries contain all the latest books and magazines, and many of them allow you to search their catalogues online.
Give up somking, drinking, you save even more money.
Jun 2nd 2008, 2:13 am
#44
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 677
Re: Your tips for money saving and living on a budget in Australia
The following has worked for us (two working adults, no kids):
Have all salaries and other income paid into a savings account giving a reasonable amount of interest. This account shouldn't have a debit card or other 'easy' way of taking money out of it. Setup any standing orders/direct debits for bills to come out of this account. Where companies will accept payment by credit/charge card, pay bills by card and MAKE SURE YOU PAY THE CARD OFF IN FULL AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
Come up with a comprehensive budget and figure out how much you need to survive on for a month (groceries, entertainment etc.). Have this amount transferred to a current/transaction account and live within your means. We found a very comprehensive budget planner at http://www.catholicsuper.com.au/calc...Calculator.xlt.
Once a week, come up with a menu plan for the rest of the week including breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Go out and shop for the ingredients you need. If you have time, try to work your menu around specials the supermarkets have on that week.
Where possible, get your meat, fruit and veg from a market. I've no idea about other cities, but the quality of fresh food from Adelaide central market is miles ahead of anything we've seen from Coles/Woolies and it's a damn sight cheaper. If there's something you eat/drink a lot of buy as much as you can fit into the boot of your car while it's on special (This particularly applies to soft drinks/canned veg).
HTH
Cheers
Steve
Have all salaries and other income paid into a savings account giving a reasonable amount of interest. This account shouldn't have a debit card or other 'easy' way of taking money out of it. Setup any standing orders/direct debits for bills to come out of this account. Where companies will accept payment by credit/charge card, pay bills by card and MAKE SURE YOU PAY THE CARD OFF IN FULL AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
Come up with a comprehensive budget and figure out how much you need to survive on for a month (groceries, entertainment etc.). Have this amount transferred to a current/transaction account and live within your means. We found a very comprehensive budget planner at http://www.catholicsuper.com.au/calc...Calculator.xlt.
Once a week, come up with a menu plan for the rest of the week including breakfasts, lunches and dinners. Go out and shop for the ingredients you need. If you have time, try to work your menu around specials the supermarkets have on that week.
Where possible, get your meat, fruit and veg from a market. I've no idea about other cities, but the quality of fresh food from Adelaide central market is miles ahead of anything we've seen from Coles/Woolies and it's a damn sight cheaper. If there's something you eat/drink a lot of buy as much as you can fit into the boot of your car while it's on special (This particularly applies to soft drinks/canned veg).
HTH
Cheers
Steve
