And You Can Too
Everybody loves a bargain, me especially. But let’s not sugar coat the fact that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting Australian households. Rising interest rates, inflating grocery prices and unpredictable petrol costs are seeing our paychecks go faster than you can say “I’m trying to save!” It is no wonder many Aussies are struggling to boost their savings, with many just trying to stop it from shrinking. But life happens. The car breaks down. The dog eats something it shouldn’t. The kids need to go to the GP. All these unexpected instances eat up your budget.
Saving money doesn’t necessarily mean going without. I have a few tips that can allow Aussies to boost their savings and make the most out of their dollar. If you are able to integrate these habits into your ongoing purchases, I have no doubt you will come out the other side with more bang for your buck!
Groceries – one of the biggest necessary expenses for families and individuals. I regularly cut my grocery bill by more than 50%. The secret? Markdowns! Every supermarket has a routine for when they mark down produce, so get to know your local grocery stores’ markdown times and days. Usually, this is in the late afternoon or early evening. By shopping smart and being flexible with meal planning, you can slash your total cost in half and still eat well.
One of my biggest savings tips, which has allowed me to accrue over $15,000, is cashback! Everyone already shops online, so why not get some money back whilst doing so? Cashback sites like TopCashback have multiple retailer partners where you get a percentage of your purchases back – clothes, beauty, flights or even insurance. You can use it for regular grocery expenses like Woolies online and even boost your savings by using it during big sale periods like Black Friday, Click Frenzy and more.
When it comes to shopping, loyalty isn’t important anymore. You can shop around for the best deals across the big brands. Don’t be afraid to chase the deals, to politely ask for a cheaper price – this works well if you have done your research beforehand and have past or current sales to point to – and to buy from whichever shop has the best price on what you need. There are dedicated online forums and groups where everyday Aussies share their markdown finds and sales on at the time, so utilise that too.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of being financially overwhelmed and feel as though you can’t wrangle your savings, but by being strategic and shifting habits, it is possible! You don’t need to change your lifestyle, just approach it slightly differently.
Building these smart habits will pay off in the long run. Pairing markdown shopping, sales hunting and cashback opportunities will see you spending less and getting more value. That extra cash can go straight into your savings accounts!
By Amanda Dean aka @bargain.boss
