Do you know how to save money in Australia? If not, then this blog post is for you. Here are 11 budget-friendly tips that will help make your life a little bit easier and less expensive as a student in Australia. The first tip is about the Australian dollar. It’s important to understand how it works before making any purchases so that you don’t get ripped off!
Tip #1: Travel Cards
Use a travel card to take public transportation. A train or bus will get you where you need to be and save on the cost of paying for individual tickets. If your city has a transit app, it might be worth downloading that too!
Tip #2: Bring your own lunch to work
It will save you money and time, not having to buy lunch on the go every day!
Tip #3: Pack your own snacks
It’s easy to get caught up in the convenience of buying a pre-packaged snack when you’re hungry, but it can be expensive and unhealthier than bringing something yourself!
Tip #4: Pay those bills
Get on top of utilities like water, electricity and gas bills as soon as possible. This will help you keep your household running smoothly and pinch pennies when it comes to utilities.
Tip #5: Shop around
Shop around for the best deals on insurance or car registration – some companies offer incentives like cheaper rates if you switch over!
Tip #6: Rent it
Rent, not buy furniture. It can be tempting to go out and buy furniture, but renting makes much more financial sense. You might only need a couple of items to start with and then buy as you grow your space!
Tip #7: Reduce
Reduce the amount of time that you’re on social media or watching TV in order for you to pay close attention to how much money is being spent day-to-day.
Tip #8: Borrow it
Borrow books from the library when you can instead of buying them. Libraries usually have a good selection and it won’t cost anything to borrow!
Tip #9: Get cleaning
Clean your clothes at home, rather than going to the dry cleaners – this will save money on time off work as well as significantly reducing the cost of dry cleaning.
Tip #10: Make sure it’s worth it
If you’re going out to eat, make sure that it’s a meal worth the money and time spent – if not, then try cooking at home instead!
Tip #11: Keep receipts
Keep your receipts for every purchase so that when tax return season comes around next year or whenever is convenient for you, you can work out what to do with your tax return.
Tip #12: Look out for hidden costs
If there are any hidden costs or add-ons that often come up for things like phone bills and utilities, find out about them before signing up! It will help you avoid being surprised by a bill months later.
Tips #13: Buy only what you need
Don’t buy things you don’t need. It’s tempting to go out and spend money on something nice for yourself, but it will end up costing more in the long run if you’re not careful!
Tip #14: Check your credit report
Check your credit report at least once a year. This way, any issues with identity theft or fraud can be found asap and fixed before any serious damage is done.
Tip #15: Go for cashbacks
Get a good credit card with at least some rewards points or cashback – that way, you can get something (or save on interest) without spending money!