18 Sure-Fire Ways to Slash Your Living Expenses Without Reducing Your Quality of Lifemoney saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 1. Plan Weekly Meals Around the Supermarket Savings Catalogue.
Each week you'll probably get mail from your local supermarket about this week's specials (if you don't, the same brochures are available at the supermarkets themselves). A great way to save money? Plan what you'll cook this week around this week's specials. These food specials and clearance items are usually at heavily discounted prices. From my experience clearance items are just as good - it's just that they are approaching the best before date so the shops need to sell them.
E.g. Recently I cooked this lovely dish (a whole Kilo of good steaks!) for the family, and the whole meal cost us less than $15 because they were bought on special. Still as tasty, still a 10/10 meal!
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 2. Use Shopper Dockets.
Free Shopper Docket Vouchers are printed at the back of most supermarket receipts. Even if not, you can still go to hotdockets.com.au and type in your postcode to find all Shopper Dockets valid in your area. You'll often find BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE offers, 25% discounts and other free offers that will save you lots of money on your shopping trips.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 3. Buy the "No Frills" Brands When the Quality is the Same
I've found MOST of my cooking ingredients and a LOT of my household items can be substituted with "Home" or "No Frills" brands without ANY reduction in quality. In my experience Coles dishwashing liquid washes just as clean as others, and Coles butter performs as well as the rest.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
You can try testing the "Woolworths Select" or other "No Frills" brands in comparison with your normal branded choices. Chances are the unbranded ones save you up to $2-$3 for some items, with minimal (if no) reduction in quality.
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Shopping Idea 4. Buy Clothes and Accessories Off-Season
This is one of my FAVOURITE money-savers! When the season changes say from Summer to Autumn-Winter, you'll suddenly see Winter clothes popping up all over shopping centres.
What I like to do in this season is just to keep my eye on summer clothes shops (like surf gear shops etc.) because one by one they'll start having "Season Clearance Sales" and "End of Summer Sales". Clothes will suddenly be slashed to 50% and you can get unbelievable bargains this way. I have a friend who bought a full white winter coat for ONLY 10 DOLLARS at a Winter Closing sale.money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
THIS IS A BIG MONEY SAVER.
*These offers are subjected to changes (depending on season). Please check current offers if unsure.
*These offers are subjected to changes (depending on season). Please check current offers if unsure.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 5. Don't Buy Big Items Until Big Discount Time
There are some things like computers, furniture, mp3 players... even CD albums that go on massive discount during seasons like Christmas (because all the shops want to grab your present-shopping business)!
Be a smart buyer - if you don't need a plasma screen TV "NOW-NOW", just wait a little for Christmas/New Year season when every item gets a reduction in price. Buy it then for a 25% discount that's normally not available.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
E.g. A few months back I was seriously thinking of upgrading my Total Gym exercise machine because it's getting rusty (after using it for about 10 years). A new set normally costs more than $2,000. But because of the Christmas season, the Total Gym company is selling them with an $850 discount!
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Rojak's Note: Only - repeat, ONLY use this technique for things you are planning to buy anyway. Statistics show Christmas time is traditionally when a lot of families get into debt, because they buy presents they can't afford. Don't get caught by the Christmas advertising into buying something out of impulse... and regretting it when the creditor comes knocking!
*These types of offers are subjected to changes (depending on season). Please check current offers if unsure.
*These types of offers are subjected to changes (depending on season). Please check current offers if unsure.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
That being said...
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 6. Pick Up Birthday/Christmas Presents At Opportune Times During the Year (No Pressure to Buy)
Bids at eBay go higher at Christmas time. But I've also been willing to pay more at Christmas time... because I WANT to get presents for my loved ones! Aurghhh!
To solve this dilemma I buy presents mid-year, when there's no pressure. You'll find yourself in better shape to find better presents for your loved ones. Also, because there's no pressure you can take your time to hunt for offers/discounts.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 7. Try Shopping At The Returned Section at Department Stores.
Did you know you can buy returned products for 20-70% off retail? Returned items don't mean defective - maybe the person before you just bought the wrong item & didn't want it!
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 8. Use Fly Buys
All you have to do is apply for a Fly Buys card here. Each time you pay at the counter just let them swipe your Fly Buys card too. This gives you Fly Buy points. When you've accumulated enough Fly Buy points you can redeem your points for household items, even free trips ;-)
E.g. The Sharp MP2H in my room was redeemed and shipped to me FREE!
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 9. Rent, Not Buy, If Possible
This is another of my favourites. The FIRST thing you should do if you want to watch DVDs FREE, listen to pop music FREE, get your hands on cookbooks FREE & get FREE magazine subscriptions...
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
... JOIN YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY NOW!
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
This tip has saved me hundreds of dollars already. This is why: Australian libraries work on a fair share basis, where all members get to access the shared materials for free. As long as you return borrowed materials on time, you can take home practically anything in the library catalogue. CDs, DVDs, books, magazines... did you know that the latest Young Divas & Guy Sebastian albums are sitting in your library waiting for you?
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
POP INTO YOUR LIBRARY BEFORE GOING TO VIDEO EZY OR BLOCKBUSTER VIDEO. Poisedon, Starsky & Hutch, The Star Wars series... there are plenty others that you'll never know until you check. Obviously they don't stock as many as a rental shop but who knows ;-P
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 10. Rent Video Games!
I was shocked to find the latest TMNT and Wii games in my local Video Ezy. Instead of spending $99 to buy an original game, spend $3.50 to rent a new release FOR THE EXACT SAME THING.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 11. If You Must Buy Games/Movies, Buy Through eBay/Trading Post.
Try having a look at TradingPost.com.au - you'll be amazed at how many items you can for real cheap! If you want household blenders/toasters/kitchen appliances, you'll find many shops closing down across Australia that are willing to let go of their stock for very low prices (some things almost brand new). I've come across commercial grade blenders (smoothie machines that you see at Boost) being sold for less than $10 - still in great working condition.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Another e.g. One of my family friends bought 2 high-end HP printers for his business at $600 each (brand new ones cost close to $5k) through online auctions.
Same goes for ebay.com.au. I recently found an Italian Shop that closed down, and they were selling their expensive used Pizza Conveyer Oven for less than $100! (Brand new price is $18,000)
If you like to own your own original games/movies, I've found great bargains on eBay. Buying one of my brother's favourite movies for his Christmas cost me less than $15.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Rojak's Tip: You won't always find superb deals. You have to be patient and monitor different auctions, as if you were on a fishing trip. eBay bids are more competitive on weekends (because people are around to bid). Likewise the competition drops on weekdays early in the morning (because most people are asleep). Be patient enough and the perfect one will come along - great price for great quality. I myself have let up to 7 straight auctions (for the same type of item) pass to other winners, just because the price wasn't right. But when I did win the next auction, woohoo I won it good!
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 12. Use the Coles/Woolworths Petrol Dockets!
Whenever you spend $30 or more at Coles you'll receive a little docket at the end of your receipt. It entitles you to save 4 cents per litre whenever you pump at Shell. Currently when you spend $2 or more at the Shell shop, you get an additional 2c per litre discount.
Likewise, when you spend $30 or more at Woolworths/Big W you'll receive a docket to save 4 cents per litre when you pump at Caltex. When you spend $5 or more at the Caltex shop when after you pump, you'll receive an additional 4c per litre discount on your petrol.
These offers are subjected to changes (depending on season). Please check current offers if unsure.
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 13. Shop Around for Petrol Prices
Even neighbouring petrol stations can have big gaps in their petrol prices. When you pass the petrol stations on the way to work/when travelling etc. take some time to notice which one's cheapest. You can save a couple of dollars this way for each time you pump.
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Shopping Idea 14. Pump Your Petrol Mid-Week
Did you know petrol prices are generally cheaper in the middle of the week? In my area the cheapest days are Tuesday - Wednesday... what about yours? Generally in Australia petrol prices are higher on the weekends (when everyone remembers to pump).
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 15. Buy Movie Tickets on Tuesday
Tuesday is generally "Cheap Tickets Tuesday" (or "Tight-Arse-Tuesday" as the Aussies call it :-D). It simply means that instead of paying $15 for an Adult Movie Ticket, you pay about $8.50 for the same ticket to watch the same movie.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 16. Buy Clothes, Electrical Goods and Linen Wholesale at Factory Outlets and Reject Shops.
Every true Msian/Sprean probably already knows this one!
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 17. Buy in Bulk Between Friends and Split the Bill.
Things are cheaper when bought in bulk.
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money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
Shopping Idea 18. Compare Prices Between Shops (works for groceries, clothes etc).
I have to admit, this is probably my least favourite because of the effort it takes! But honestly speaking, my sister saves about $5 each time she goes shopping just from this technique. In a month $5 x 4 weeks = $20 saved. In a year, $260 saved!
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
money saving shopping ideas shopping tips budget living cut expenses smart shopping save cash
I hope this guide has been a great help to you. It has saved me and my family hundreds of dollars already :-P
A GREAT RESOURCE ABOUT SUPERMARKET SALES TACTICS
by Australia's Largest Consumer Association
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