The small changes Aussies are making to save money – from quitting smoking to meal prepping and charging phones in cars
- Australians are sharing the changes they’ve made to save on the cost of living
- One mum asked members on Facebook group to share their budget hacks
- She said she now charges her phone in the car and turns electrics off at the wall
- Others suggested using half the amount of toothpaste, shampoo, and soap
- A thrifty user said to buy in-season fresh produce and to do meal plans and preps
- More tips included growing herbs and veggies and switching to LED light bulbs
Australians are sharing their money saving hacks online from quitting smoking, to unplugging electrical appliances and even using half the amount of toothpaste, shampoo and soap.
Hundreds of Aussies responded to a post to popular Facebook group Simple Savers in which one mum asked to know the ‘little changes’ people had made to save money as the cost of living skyrockets.
‘I’m plugging my phone in to the car charger when doing the school run, I’ve reconfigured power boards so I can turn appliances off at the wall and not have them ‘always on’,’ she wrote.
Hundreds of Australians online are sharing the small life changes they made to save them big money from charging their phone in the car, growing vegetables and meal prepping
Many took to the comments to share their own budget friendly hacks with many agreeing unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use can save on power bills
‘I’ve started collecting the little bits of soap that are too small to use anymore in a jar to make liquid soap… this won’t save me a fortune, but it all adds up.’
Many took to the comments to share their own budget friendly hacks with many agreeing unplugging appliances and electronics when not in use can save on power bills.
‘Love the idea about not having appliances on ‘standby’. I have started checking some of our appliances. The microwave, dishwasher, washing machine etc. It all adds up – better for the environment too!’ one member wrote.
‘When you just switch off at the power point your still paying electric bill cause it’s plugged in it needs to be unplugged,’ another responded.
‘They call them vampire appliances as they suck the power. Here I was thinking I was doing it correctly by just turning the power switch off,’ said a third.
One savvy saver said they have started using half the recommended amount of toiletries and cleaning products.
‘Mostly the recommended amount is way too much. It’s also fun peeling apart layers of toilet paper, I don’t do it to save money although you need far less,’ they said.
One member said they saved a fortune after quitting smoking in March while another started biking to work to reduce the cost of fuel
Another said they had given up smoking while one woman shared how bought an electric bike to save on fuel.
‘Bought a second hand electric bike for $1300 just before fuel prices skyrocketed, as I live about 5km out of town and it’s saved me heaps in fuel. I ride it all kinds weather and have hardly needed to fuel up at all since then,’ she said.
‘Meal plan, buy in season fruit and veg (or frozen), make things from scratch instead of convenience options, cancel any subscription services, walk more (drive less), utilise the library for books and toys, use blankets and warm clothes instead of heaters,’ another recommended.
A thrifty man said he saved heaps by switching to LED light bulbs and another advised people to quit drinking alcohol.
Other tips included layering blankets rather than using an electrical one, planting herbs and vegetables, meal prepping and planning ahead, using appliances at night outside of peak times and buying items on special at the supermarket in bulk.
‘I now buy budget dish liquid and refill my bottle. We have cancelled unnecessary insurance. I recycle as it doesn’t cost you at all as opposed to rubbish bags. And I’ve pulled out the sewing machine and repairing things instead of replacing,’ a mum said.
‘I toss all my coins into a jar and once I have filled the jar I bank them. For anyone who has debts, the coins in the jar can be taken out once a month and pay off a bill,’ another wrote.
‘I cook larger batches of food and freeze in meal lots so I’m only reheating at night instead of cooking, roll on deodorant instead of spray on, a third shared.
‘Have cosy blankets in the lounge if it gets a bit cooler during the evening (Qld), so never need to use a heater, no lights on in the evening – just the light from the TV, and I preserve food when I can buy it cheap,’ they continued.
