Our experts

ANNETTE SAMPSON

Annette, who contributes our What If? column, says: “Lockdown showed me how easy it is to save by simply removing non-essential spending from your life. Without trying, my spending dropped substantially and I now think twice about whether I really need something. The other thing I learnt is that making your own sourdough is much more time consuming and expensive than buying it!”

ALAN DEANS

Alan, our Interview writer, says: “Buying bargains online often risks disappointment because it’s hard to ship them, especially if they’re offshore. If you have your heart set on something, contact the seller and ask them to check with their shipper about how they send it to Australia. Use a reputable site like Amazon in case you need to claim a refund when nothing arrives. And keep all of your emails!”

PHIL SLADE

Phil, a behavioural economist, contributes Mind Games. He says: “Don’t go shopping when you are panicking and be aware of emotional contagion. Simply being around other panicked shoppers made me overspend. Saving at least 20% of your salary when your income reduces is hard, but worth it. Avoid picking up expensive hobbies to fill the void. Breathe ... this too shall pass.”

PETER DOCKRILL

Peter, our Smart Tech writer, says: “It’s a total lockdown cliche, but I am one of the many who has rediscovered the joys of home cooking, baking fresh bread, making cakes, rolling out pizza dough and exploring different kinds of food. Apart from the fun, cooking at home is a great money saver. Just don’t forget about your local restaurants and takeaways – those businesses need your support, too.”