Living is really expensive sometimes.
This is an obvious statement, but unfortunately I have recently found this out the hard way. Like when I accidentally neglected a parking fine until I eventually owed $440. Or when I realised my weekly food bill was approximately $250 thanks to some lavish meals.
As I have never been so good (or interested) in budgeting, I was at a loss when it came to saving myself from my money woes.
So, I turned to some women who are much cleverer than me.
Here are some delightfully frugal tips for saving in different areas of your life, courtesy of my colleagues, friends and family.
1. Your pay.
“As soon as I get paid, I put money away – somewhere that I don’t have access to when I’m out and about.” – Pam
2. Your coffee.
“Make coffee at home.” – Hijiri
Just as an FYI, you should know that this post is sponsored by SodaStream. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100% authentic and written in their own words.
3. Your bank.
“Have a limit for the amount you can withdraw in any one day. As soon as I lowered mine (previously it was unlimited) I had to think twice about every purchase and weigh up whether the really nice dress/boots/shiny stationery was worth not having the ability to later withdraw enough to buy lunch/a train ticket that day.” – Aparna
4. Your lunch.
“Pack lunch to take to work… It’ll save you about $10-$20 a day, which is a lot over the course of a year!” – Grace
5. Your dessert.
“Instead of catching up with friends for dinner, catch up for dessert – it’s way tastier and cheaper.” – Bell
6. Your other bank.
“Go out for dinner with your parents.” – Alice
7. Your priorities.
“Be brutal! People laugh at living off $100 a week saying it’s impossible. Don’t eat out, ride your bike instead of petrol, have coffee at home before work. Prioritise and you’d be surprised how far a small amount can go.” – Loretta
8. Your meals.
“It’s all in the food! I make sure I plan my meals for the week ahead, and base them around vegetables that freeze well. Then make and freeze a week’s worth of dinners. I also have breakfast at home, and make a simple sandwich for lunch everyday.” – Melissa
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Top Comments
Don't fall victim to "lazy tax". Get new quotes and haggle on anything with a renewal - insurance, phone plans, bank fees. Set aside a day each year to go and renegotiate all that stuff, you save heaps!
#6 When I go out for dinner with my mum, it is never assumed that she will pay for me unless it's my birthday. Sometimes she'll shout me but just as often, I will shout her. I figure it's a small price to pay for her giving me life and all. ;) Is this a thing that parents do? Pay for their adult children's restaurant meals? I honestly don't know anyone who that would be true for.
That's what I thought. My partner's parents do but it's the first and only time I've ever come across it.
I noticed that one too and didn't like it.
Also, I dont like the whole stop eating out, stop drinking cofeee... unless you have a very specific short term financial goal I think overall it's better to keep life's little pleasures. They are (in my opinion) just as important as the big things. ye you can save a few hundred a year by not having takeaway coffee but seriously sometimes that coffee is the highlight of my day so really it's worth it. Everything sounds expensive when the cost is added up over a year or longer
Yes! I thought it was an extremely selfish suggestion, and a bit sneaky if that's your top money-saving tip.
I feel like a bit of a pampered princess, my parents always pay for my partner and I when we go out as a family. We have offered in the past, but it's just something they've always done :/