Wouldn’t you like to have fun? Even though the cost of living is threatening to tug the purse strings firmly shut, there’s more to life than eat, sleep, work, repeat. Here are 20 tried and tested ways to shop and save without compromising your lifestyle.
Words: Sasha Oelsner
1. Use the RAA app to find the cheapest fuel prices near you. In the app, you’ll also find a graph showing average fuel trends over time, helping you identify where you are in the price cycle so you can fill up before the next spike.
2. Find a local repair café, where for a small donation your broken items such as jewellery, small electronics or textiles can be fixed, or you can learn the skills to do it yourself.
3. Subscribing to multiple streaming services really adds up, so cycle through a different platform each month. Purchase one month then immediately cancel or pause your subscription.
Most streaming services will let you keep watching for the remainder of the month and you won’t be automatically charged at the end of the billing period. Also, ask yourself whether your TV supports high-definition quality which costs extra, and are ads really that bad?
4. Use Adelaide Metro’s savings estimator as a guide to see possible savings if you switch from paying for fuel and parking to catching public transport. A 14 or 28-day pass may also be more cost effective if you’re a regular public transport user.
5. Next time you go travelling, look into house and pet-sitting as a low-cost accommodation option. You’ll enjoy all the creature comforts of staying in a home, while also immersing yourself in local everyday life.
6. Stock up on discounted eGift cards with no expiry date (you’ll find Big W, BWS, Woolworths and more with RAA Rewards) and you’ll pay less for more.
Use the RAA app to find the cheapest fuel prices near you
7. Join your local library or get a digital membership from Libraries SA for free access to a huge range of eBooks, audiobooks, movies and music from the comfort of your couch. You’ll also find digital newspapers, online educational courses and more.
8. Book holiday accommodation with a kitchen – or at least a toaster and a microwave – to avoid dining out for every meal. It’s amazing how well you can make scrambled eggs in the microwave?
9. If you need to buy new appliances like dishwashers or dryers, check the energy-star rating for better efficiency. Also, look for appliances that have timers so you can run them during off-peak energy times. If you have solar panels, setting timers on appliances will help you use energy from the sun when it’s at its brightest.
10. Bring your lunch with you to work to avoid the temptation of eating out. A little bit of meal-prepping can go a long way.
11. Let deals and discounts help you decide where you want to go for a nice meal out. Join your favourite restaurant’s app or email list, and check the great range of RAA Rewards for discounts like complimentary upgrades or free kids’ meals. If you order too much, don’t be embarrassed to ask for a takeaway container. That’s lunch for tomorrow, and it prevents food waste.
Find a local repair cafe to fix items like jewellery and textiles
12. Choose pre-loved clothing, shoes, jewellery, toys and books instead of buying new. Try op shops or online sellers, or dedicated apps such as Depop where you can make some cash back by selling items of your own.
13. If a gym membership isn’t in your budget, keep active for free by walking or running in your neighbourhood or use the exercise equipment at local parks. Make it a social activity and grab some friends for a game of soccer, or even frisbee.
14. Buying produce when it’s in season will keep your grocery bill down. Some produce, like herbs, are expensive to buy but can be cheap and easy to grow at home.
15. Find second-hand household items like furniture, appliances, kitchenware and technology at garage sales and charity shops, and through online hubs like Facebook Marketplace. Some big brands, including Apple and IKEA, offer certified refurbished goods at a reduced rate.
16. Greeting cards and wrapping paper have become a luxury and the paper is considered wasteful. Save money by making your own using items around the house such as old cards, ribbons and stickers, and for a sentimental touch, reuse your children’s or grandchildren’s drawings as wrapping.
17. At the supermarket, look out for a ‘quick sale’ sticker on fresh produce and freeze the items for later. Check the tiny ‘unit price’ on price tags as larger options are usually cheaper per gram. Avoid paying for packaging by buying generic brands, and finally – don’t go shopping when you’re hungry.
18. Check your mobile data package. See if you can choose a cheaper plan, a plan where mobile data can rollover (allowing you to drop back to the minimum every few months), or if data can be gifted to other members of your household.
19. If barista-made brews are too good to cut, find a café that offers a discount for bringing your own reusable cup and consider if you really need the large size.
20. Travel during off-peak times for cheaper airfares and accommodation. There’ll also be smaller crowds and local sites and restaurants offering discounts to attract your business.
IMAGES: Envato.
