8 genius ways to SAVE MONEY
Running a household has its ups and downs so each week we bring you the latest tips and tricks to make your home life easy
STOP PAYING FOR APPS YOU NO LONGER USE
Remember downloading that app for the kids a year ago for a game they no longer play? Probably not, but you might still be paying for it.
Go online, look at your bank statements and check you are not paying any ongoing subscription fees for apps you no longer use. A few dollars here or there doesn’t seem like much, but it all adds up.
TAKE STOCK OF YOUR UTILITIES
Got some time on your hands? Now is the perfect time to compare the market on gas and electricity prices to find out if you are getting the best deal. The government website Energy Made Easy allows you to compare. If you find a better deal, call your current provider and ask them to better it. energymadeeasy.gov.au
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LIVE CHAT
Need to buy something online? It could be anything from a new dishwasher to pet food, for example. Before you go straight to the site’s checkout, see if they have a ‘live chat’ option, and click on it. Tell the person you are chatting with that you are keen to buy but think you could get a better price and they may try and sweeten the deal. Reportedly the online helpers for retailers such as Dyson have been known to offer discounts of 10 per cent or more, just because people asked.
START A BULLET JOURNAL TO TRACK YOUR SPEND
Bring out the textas and coloured pencils and make budgeting creative by starting a Bullet Journal.
Bullet Journalling is a fancy to-do list that can change your family’s life. All you need is a fresh notebook and some creative flair. By setting the plan out with a daily log, a monthly log and a future log, it can help you track the family spend and ultimately save. bulletjournal.com
USE EVERY LAST DROP
Did you know if you cut dishwashing tablets in half they can still do the job, and you get double the amount? Want that toothpaste to last that extra mile? Cut the other end open when it appears the tube is all squeezed out. Have a little bit of shampoo or conditioner left in the bottle but hard to get it out? Don’t throw it out yet. Just add water.
SWITCH TO ONLINE GROCERY SHOPPING
During these home-isolation times we’re certainly beginning to get the hang of online grocery shopping. There’s a definite silver lining to getting your essentials delivered. You are less likely to make impulse purchases. That cut-price family block of chocolate or bulk pack of chips on sale on the shelf that are begging to be bought simply can’t be seen.
TURN THE HEAT AROUND
With winter on its way, we’ll be turning those heaters up but you needn’t have the temperature too high. Rug up with a trusty blanket, draw the heavy curtains and stop draughts from coming in with door snakes. And, if you are in the market for a new heater, look for the energy-efficient star rating to help you save money.
TRACK YOUR SPEND FOR FREE
There are a number of great apps available that allow you to track every cent you spend for free. Pocketbook, for example is an easy budgeting app that automatically organises your spending into categories such as clothing, food and fuel, showing you where money is being spent. When you know where everything is going it makes it easier to save. getpocketbook.com
WE ALL NEED TO SAVE EXTRA DOLLARS RIGHT NOW. HERE, SOME SIMPLE WAYS TO TIGHTEN THE PURSE STRINGS