What Are Your Best Money Saving Tips?

lemc6125 on 02/03/2015 - 17:44

2015 is our year of saving, so I'm brainstorming ways in which we can save. We're currently in our own home and have a 10 month old son. So far, these are some of my money saving methods:

Review the mortgage, our biggest expense! Talking with the broker about getting 4.35% with an offset account.

Stocked up on rainchecks for nappies and baby wipes when they were more than half price. It's saving us hundreds over the year.

Making my own baby foods.

Borrowing books from the library instead of buying.

Reviewing health/car/home insurance.

Reviewing electricity/gas provider.

Cancelled gym membership and using workout DVDs at home.

Reducing food wastage by planning meals for the week (and using the WOW/Coles weekly specials to plan).

If we have time, walking to destinations instead of driving.

This year, we're only doing camping holidays (already have all the gear) instead of international.

Anyone care to share techniques they use when saving money?? I'd love to hear more tips!

Financial

Comments

  • Blue Suby on 03/03/2015 - 09:20
    +2

    Does no one wash cloth nappies anymore? I know it's not a favourite job but it doesn't add to the landfill problem and when no longer needed make great cloths for cleaning.

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 10:09

      Guilty as charged. Before having a baby, my intention was to use disposable for the first few weeks then change to cloth once I got used to having a new baby. We're still using the disposable and have no intention of changing. We also use disposable baby wipes and go through a lot of those too.

      It's more expensive to use disposable and less environmentally responsible. I sometimes feel guilty, more so when people point it out. But it's the choice that we've made that works for our family.

      In my mother's group (10 girls), there are two who are using cloth nappies and the rest are disposable. One girl tried the 'elimination communication' technique but found it difficult when her baby was put in childcare.

      • dp1 on 03/03/2015 - 11:12
        +1

        You can do both to save a bit on disposable costs. I have used cloth with all 3 of mine but still used about 15 disposables a month in addition. Break-even comes at 10 weeks if you pay around $20 each for nice cloth nappies (Bumgenius from USA)

        • IvankaRohann on 05/03/2015 - 11:09

          What about nappy rash and leakage? After the environment they would be my main concerns.

          I really don't like those modern cloth nappies. Why is it so hard to find the plain old cloth squares which you can then wrap and pin, getting a perfect fit.

          My friend's about to have her first baby, and both our mothers had us in plain cotton square nappies as kids, we found some in a $2 dollar shop in Campsie - $15 for pack of 20, pure cotton.

          I don't think you can re-use the modern ones as washcloths after baby has grown up and the disposable nappy shape with an insert seems like they would be tricky to wash.

  • Peanut money on 03/03/2015 - 09:27
    +2

    Why don't you get a job ironing at home while baby sleeps

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 10:10
      +5

      Don't even own an iron! I can't stand ironing. I understand where you're going with this though, earn money at home while baby sleeps. Exploring that.

      • HN Professional on 07/03/2015 - 03:41

        I think I'm gonna get downvoted for this but: trading the markets (shares/equities, commodities, currency etc) might be something to consider. You get to choose your own hours, you get to choose your level of 'involved'ness, there are no angry customers beating down your door nor a boss breathing down your neck.

        If you are a good manager/governor of your own worst emotions (fear and greed) - and it sounds like you are, otherwise you wouldn't have started this thread - it would be a worthy challenge to take up. Besides, you are already one step ahead of us boofheads, you don't have the millstone of "testosterone poisoning"* to screw up any ego-led decisions. :-)

        *credit to Super Yau Man Chan of Survivor:Fiji for coining the term (in this context)

        • SaberX on 07/03/2015 - 14:56

          Great idea, but hard to do. My interests lie there too, but you REALLY REALLY do have to be better than many professional, smart headed traders and investors, and now the mum and dad warriors at home, to make a profit.

          It isn't IMPOSSIBLE, but the OP is at risk of losing money… less so than traditional other jobs from home where you get paid rather than pay money if things go awry.

          I love investments and the financial markets so I would say go for it… but yeah education is a life long journey so it's not something he/she can pickup in a few months and hop eto be successful at. Again, POSSIBLE, but just going off balance of probabilities.

  • Euphemistic on 03/03/2015 - 09:32
    +1

    Electricity:
    Invest in some solar, but do your sums first as the rebates aren't what they used to be.
    Run appliances on off peak where possible. Eg set the dishwasher, washing machine to run after 10pm, before 7am (or check your local times). With a young one I know that washing isn't always possible overnight, but limit washing in peak periods.
    Turn your AC off, or run it at 25 in summer and 21 in winter. Use ceiling fans instead where possible. Shade the house in summer, seal the drafts in winter.
    Switch light globes to low energy type (led or compact flouro) we removed 26 100w globes when we moved into our house they are now replaced with 9w led globes with the same light output but less than 10% of the running costs.
    There are plenty more.

    For a family of 5 we use way less than the local average according to our bills.

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 09:57

      Great electricity tips, especially from someone who would surely have the ability to use a lot of electricity! I imagine if you didn't use these money saving techniques, a family of 5 could potentially spend a lot on power.

      Solar investment might be something we save for our family home. We did install LED as soon as we bought the house and are pretty stingy with the air con.

      • ilikeradiohead on 03/03/2015 - 18:53

        The price of solar panels have collapsed in the past few years. They're cheaper now than they were when my mum installed some on her house ~10 years ago including ludicrous government subsidies. I think they're designed to last ~15+ years, but have a payback period of like 3-5. If I ever purchase a house it'll be the first thing I install.

        • SaberX on 07/03/2015 - 14:58

          Is that true hey? Looking to build my own house ove rthe coming 12 months… if i proceed with purchasing land. Would be interested to see whether solar panels if cheap enough, would be a worthwhile investment if I'm going to rent it out.. wonder if tenants will go for it given cheaper running costs while they're renting (tenants pay electricity, water usage bills right, and owners pay the service/annual fees??) - and whether resale value would be higher on solar powered houses.

  • DEvok on 03/03/2015 - 10:32
    +2

    How to save? Well to make more money is also saving, get another job, work longer? Do part time jobs in front of your computer. Get the wifey to do the same, and before you know it you have saved up a piggy bank.

    Edit other additional methods:
    Eat less
    Spend less time here and do something more "important"
    Buy less presents
    Give less money to the wife
    Don't go out as often
    Have a few less beers!
    And lastly, don't use your internet as you save so much data and electricity on the long run.
    Oh, of course! Drive your car less and save petrol! Just walk if possible.
    It's also healthy to!

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 12:15
      +10

      I am wifey :)

    • syousef on 04/03/2015 - 19:31
      +1

      i have 500GB of Internet and if I don't use it I don't save a thing. No I will not constantly turn the computer on and off.

  • Eddielectro on 03/03/2015 - 10:53
    -2

    Just earn more money!

  • TPbMe on 03/03/2015 - 11:15
    +4

    All great tips - will practise some myself. My main suggestion is to do your main grocery shop at Aldi (& never shop when you're hungry!) Also, have a baking day once a week & bake all your biscuits & cakes (including dog treats!)Speaking of dogs - you can feed them with a little less expense by "bulking" their meal with grated carrot or cooked pumpkin. And us humans usually eat less when we drink more water!

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 12:17
      +1

      I've never shopped at Aldi, which is pathetic as there's one just around the corner. This is something I'm going to start doing, but have mainly been shopping at fresh markets or buying items when they're half price at the other supermarkets. Aldi here we come!

      No dogs, but if I had any they wouldn't need to be fed. I could just put them under the highchair and let them eat all the food baby wastes. It's insane.

      • Sick of This on 04/03/2015 - 22:44
        +1

        You'll find with Aldi that their products can be hit and miss, but when you find a good one you'll be stoked because of how much cheaper they are than what you used to buy.

        Some of the good ones I've found are:
        - Aldi's "Butterfully" butter tastes great.
        - Passata, tinned tomatoes, tinned beans (eg red kidney beans) are all very cheap and taste perfectly good in my cooking.
        - Get hubby to try the Prince Calibre 6 razors and their shaving gel, they're really quite good and about half the price of buying the gillette/schick/etc brands from woolies or coles.
        - I've always found Aldi's fruit and veg to be good and fresh but I guess that could vary from place to place.
        - Tissues are fine for average everyday use, maybe a bit harsh when you get a bad cold though.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/03/2015 - 11:33
    +3

    You got to be content with less. We eat out once a week, bring lunch to work, go to cheap places for holidays, go camping for fun. No foxtel, phone bills are minimum (if you are less social = down size phone plan). If you can be happy with the bare minimum, you'll save heaps of money.

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 12:19
      +2

      Couldn't agree more. The want vs need debate is so much easier when you're content with less.

  • TruckieGal on 03/03/2015 - 12:35
    +7

    My daughter never spends the coins that she gets in change. At the end of everyday, she puts whatever coins that she has in her purse in a jar (out of sight). Every couple of months she takes it down to the bank and cashes it in and finds a couple of hundred dollars each time. It is a great way of enforced saving that you dont even notice.

    You can also save a fortune on food if you shop carefully and plan meals. Coles sell mince at $5/kg and it is reasonable quality. 1kg of mince easily feeds 4 of us (and 2 are hungry teenagers). Spag bog, Shepherds Pie, Chilli con carne, Rissoles, Meatloaf, stir fry with vegies - all very economical and tasty meals. A whole chicken (raw) on special for $6 or $7 can do you at least 2 meals. A big pot of heart soup costs next to nothing and any leftovers can be frozen.

    Get a job delivering pamphlets or community newspapers. Gets you and bubby out in the fresh air and you can do it when the time suits you.

    • bargdebarg on 04/03/2015 - 12:43
      +2

      Wait for lamb leg to come on special, roast it, meal for one night, left overs go into shepherds pie and meat for lunch sandwiches.

    • Gomo on 05/03/2015 - 13:31

      My local coles now charge $6.50 for the 1kg packs :(

  • hellbound on 03/03/2015 - 13:13
    +4

    While some people take it to extremes, there are some great money saving tips in this thread if you haven't already read it:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/69388
    Particularly realfamilyman's posts are full of good ideas.

    • lemc6125 on 04/03/2015 - 15:32

      Wow. Rfm seems to be obsessed with cost cutting. Some great tips but some are way too extreme.

  • JoFord63 on 03/03/2015 - 13:40
    +10

    Sounds like you are doing heaps to save money, but maybe you want to make a little extra.

    Think about the skills and talents you have. If you can make a bit of money with them, you will have an excuse to do something fun for yourself and keep yourself challenged and motivated.

    For example, while it will take a while to build up and the income stream may not be fantastic, you could bring in a little cash through having sponsored posts and ads on your blog, website or YouTube channel.

    • If you have a way with words, be a mummy blogger e.g. Retromummy.
    • If you love sharing videos of your bub, be a YouTube vlogger (video blogger) e.g. Daily Bumps.
    • If you love make-up, do how-to videos e.g. Messy Downunder or GlamAndGore.
    • If you love make-up, do video reviews of products and subscription boxes.
    • If you love cooking, e.g Thermomixing, do as above.
    • If you love crafting, do as above.
    • If you love crafting, sell your creations online e.g. Etsy, Hard To Find.
    • If you have too much stuff in your cupboards, sell it online e.g. eBay.
    • If you have an eye for a bargain (or better still, a good freebie), resell them online.

    Do what you love, love what you do. You never know where it will end up.

    P.S. If you live in inner Sydney, I can give you some baby goods, never used, unsold shop stock. I got a carload-full for free on Gumtree.

    • nataliabom on 03/03/2015 - 15:20
      +2

      If lemc doesnt I do live in Sydney and would love to get baby goods! -expecting atm-. Let me know :)

      • JoFord63 on 03/03/2015 - 19:32
        +2

        I hope we live near each other then! Try sending me a message by going to the top of the OzBargain page > My Account > Messages > etc.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2015 - 22:11
          +2

          OR click on the name of the user you wish to message and click on "Start a Conversation"?

        • nataliabom on 05/03/2015 - 12:54

          cool I have sent you a message :) thanks a lot

      • HN Professional on 07/03/2015 - 03:56
        +1

        Just a short note to say )Congratulations!(

        You're gonna have the most important (and hopefully, fulfilling) 'job' in the whole world!

        [I miss me mum 8,( ]

    • pyramid on 03/03/2015 - 16:25

      Good one. Love the spirit of giving back to someone in need. Hats off..

    • lemc6125 on 03/03/2015 - 20:35
      +4

      Thanks so much for your generosity and great list of ideas! I'm not in Sydney but really appreciate the generosity. It's great to see such good human spirit.

      • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2015 - 01:48

        Yes such as brodening, If you have an eye for a bargain (or better still, a good freebie), resell them online.

  • vincent0923 on 03/03/2015 - 19:01
    +3

    NOT visting ozbargain for a year

  • nekro on 03/03/2015 - 19:18
    +3

    Review you internet and mobile plans

    • cuteseal on 06/03/2015 - 14:26
      +3

      Good advice! I cut my wife's phone bill from $90 to $40 by switching from Telstra to Boost… :D
      Best thing is, it still says Telstra on her phone carrier and she can't tell the difference. :D

      • inherentchoice on 06/03/2015 - 15:19
        +1

        Yet Tel$tra and Floptus continue to lock people in to expensive 24 month contracts with extortionate excess data charges and network-locked and financed handsets. Those contracts are effectively reaping the telcos massive interest rates for low risk. And at the contract's end the handset is worth about 20% of the original RRP. Yet for some reason people still seem to keep flocking back to get gouged like rats following the pied piper.

        Perhaps they think it's worth it for the $15 Floptus "Cash"

        For me, I have Pennytel $8.90 per month go global plan FTW.

  • sickllama on 03/03/2015 - 19:35
    +2

    http://www.leannebrown.com/good-and-cheap.pdf

    Shop at Aldi and make recipes from the above book. I am going to try and make one a week for the rest of the year. I am hoping to learn to cook without recipes, so when I am in the store and I see for example egg plant carrots and red peppers on sale I know exactly what I can do with that!

  • srhardy on 03/03/2015 - 20:35

    <30 skip health insurance, get extras with BUPS basic only at about $16 a month (gives 60% back off dental, chiro, massage + optical)

    30 get basic health insurance, peoplecare public about $65 and maybe up your extras as you get older and stuff goes wrong (and it does for us all)

    mobile, look for a cheap plan and dont go over - vaya $18 per month optus nwork & $20 telechoice on telstra sim only are awesome (buy a network lock prepaid smart phone)

  • kaz09 on 03/03/2015 - 20:47

    get a costco membership and bulk buy all your food

    • inherentchoice on 04/03/2015 - 19:28

      Wouldn't specials at Colsworths/Aldi still be cheaper than Costco?

      • Geewhizz on 12/03/2015 - 07:45

        Yes, they are.

    • Cluster on 05/03/2015 - 02:19
      +4

      I've had a Costco membership since the Adelaide store opened and can honestly say customers can save a lot of money on some items. For example, I buy a lot of frozen berries for eating, baking, and amateur wine making. $6.12 per kilo has never been beaten by any supermarket special I've seen, and the quality is about the same as Colesworths. Petrol is 95.7c/L whereas the nearest normal price is $1.18. A couple of stations try to match Costco's price simply because they're forced to by proximity.

      Sugar is $2.49/kg in 3kg packs. The cheapest Colesworths have is just over $1 per kilo. Various seafood products are very keenly priced at Costco as well. What isn't such good value is dog/cat food (often cheaper on special at Colesworths), detergents, coffee, etc. There's also the factor that if you buy a 2kg jar of mayonnaise it can be cheaper on a per 100g basis, but it'll spoil before the average home consumer eats it, making the overall cost quite high.

  • Azn310 on 03/03/2015 - 20:47
    +6

    Its so nice to see everyones creative ideas here. Good to know I'm not the only super tight a$$ is this world. My friends and family look at me like I'm an alien, they wanted to send me to Mars (which is not a bad idea actually)

    • sickllama on 04/03/2015 - 07:11
      +2

      Any bargains to be had in Mars?

      • Azn310 on 04/03/2015 - 12:18
        +3

        Food and housing supplied by NASA. And when you come back to mother Earth in 20-30 years, bank account full of money, I suppose, or at least superannuation ;)

      • tooblue on 04/03/2015 - 15:43

        Free one way ticket?

        • inherentchoice on 04/03/2015 - 19:31
          +1

          And then you'll never need money again.

  • cloudy on 04/03/2015 - 08:21

    Our Woolieshas a bakery in store, near the end of day ttheyhave half price for all their baked goods. Greatbuy for fresh bbread

    • Cluster on 05/03/2015 - 02:22

      I've bought still fresh loaves of sliced bread for 50c (wholemeal with seeds, not the white stuff). Freeze it and use later.

  • ebayer007 on 04/03/2015 - 09:53
    +1

    entered this competition before - https://www.choosi.com.au/blog/10-creative-money-saving-tips

    1. Exchange grocery lists

    If you find it hard to stick to your grocery list, do a list swap. What's a grocery list swap? It's when you find a friend who's willing to shop for you and vice versa.

    Write a comprehensive list and give it to your friend, who will do the same and swap their list with yours. You each go out and shop for each other, buying only what's on the list and nothing else. When you unpack your bags, you'll find you have everything you need and nothing you don't - not that sneaky extra chocolate bar you couldn't resist or double packs of whatever was on special that you probably won't use.

  • therooftop on 04/03/2015 - 10:57
    +1

    Learn a few tricks from Stephanie: (must watch!)

    http://youtu.be/2_Pdd5nETnA

    • sagrules on 04/03/2015 - 20:08
      +1

      That is just tooo extreme……

  • dojomojo on 04/03/2015 - 12:55
    +5

    Print your passport photos yourself - a little bit of photoshopping & get it printed at bigw, hardly normal, etc for 15 cents. Beats paying $15+

    • lemc6125 on 04/03/2015 - 15:29

      Where were you when I needed you? I didn't think anything of it and had baby's passport photos done at aus post last week… for $16.95

    • tooblue on 04/03/2015 - 15:57
      +3

      You don't even need photoshop. This website www.idphoto4you.com/ is quite helpful.

    • inherentchoice on 04/03/2015 - 19:35

      Can also do this when you need to supply photos for a visa application.

  • frostman on 04/03/2015 - 13:55
    +6
    • Cut the booze completely
    • If you smoke, cut it too
    • If you're a coffee drinker, get yourself a coffee machine and quit buying from over-priced cafe's
    • Dont take out personal loans to live lavish such as buying an expensive car, TV, etc
    • [Deactivated] on 04/03/2015 - 14:26
      +5

      I gave up smoking at the start of the year. Towards the end I wasn't a heavy smoker (pack a day) but I was still spending ~$75 a week on it. I would estimate I have saved about $600 so far. If you couple that with the fact I have also reduced my drinking it might be closer to 8 or 9 hundred.

      • mmd on 04/03/2015 - 22:44
        +2

        Congratulations Juddy!
        Stop smoking will save you more ways than just money. You will live longer and have a significant reduced risk of cancer, lung/heart disease and so on. :)

        • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2015 - 08:08
          +1

          Thanks :)

          The health stuff is of course the really important improvement but I have to admit the cost of smoking was the thing that really pushed me to give up.

        • frostman on 05/03/2015 - 13:13

          @Juddy:

          The health stuff is of course the really important improvement

          So (general question, not aimed at you) give me ONE health benefit you get from drinking alcohol?

          There isn't, hence it's an unnecessary cost.

        • lemc6125 on 05/03/2015 - 13:24
          +1

          Diabetes
          Cardiovascular

        • [Deactivated] on 05/03/2015 - 17:24

          @frostman:

          There might be come small benefits from consuming specific amounts or types but I doubt anyone drinks because it is healthy. Alcohol is an indulgence. Pair some nice wine with somefish or a good beer with some red meat or whatever.

          There are plenty of things that are unnecessary. Arguably, most of the stuff posted on OzB is unnecessary.

        • frostman on 06/03/2015 - 08:18

          @Juddy:

          Alcohol is an indulgence

          Thats why when it comes to money-saving tips (back to your original thread) if people dont want to let go of the alcohol (indulgence) to save money, then they might as well not post or read the replies here. When people refuse to give up such indulgence but happily look elsewhere to save money or pay off their house, then they are not mentally prepared to really save. They're looking for shortcuts.

          An analogy:

          • "I'm really low on cash, we're struggling to pay our rent - hardly making ends meet"
            — "Why don't you sell the second car, the Mazda RX7 you have, you're spending too much money"
          • "No no, I like to go eastern creek every weekend and drag race with others, no way. Also want to tune up the turbo as I can shave off a few seconds in the qrtr mile"
        • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2015 - 12:19

          @frostman:

          Which would be fine if we were discussing an absolutist money-saving regime. If you had 4 or 5 luxuries you could remove 3 or 4 and still both save money and enjoy 1. If drinking was your only luxury you could simply cut down on it and again both save money and enjoy it less frequently.

          Why did you suggest that someone go and buy a coffee machine instead of completely cutting that habit out? Are you sure you're not just anti-drinking? Because it seems you are dressing your anti-drinking view up as a money-saving tip.

        • frostman on 06/03/2015 - 15:16

          @Juddy:

          Juddy, it seems like you automatically assumed the higher-end coffee machines from my money saving tips. A Nespresso Citi machine costs $180 and the pods you can get for 49c . This is not to say you can get the cheaper ones too, like the Aldi one for $89.00

          With the pods, thats $127.00 / year
          A coffee a day from the local shop whilst at work equates to $910 / year

          And yes, I am anti-drinking, weigh out the benefits

          ++ Social/Personal indulgence

          — Cost
          — Incapacitated driving
          — attributed to road rage
          — attributed to domestic violence
          — attributed to aggressive/abrupt behavior
          — attributed to Pregnancy issues
          — Intoxication leading to poor decisions
          — Health/Cancer
          — Hangover

        • lemc6125 on 06/03/2015 - 16:01

          What's the point in life if it's not enjoyed? There's nothing wrong with trying to save money in some areas in order to pay for indulgences. Each to their own but there's nothing wrong with someone searching for ways to save money while still drag racing.

        • [Deactivated] on 06/03/2015 - 17:14
          +1

          @frostman:

          I actually agree with you about many of the societal ills drinking causes, I was simply pointing out your point about cutting out alcohol completely wasn't entirely about it being a cost saving measure and more about a personal view. One to which you just admitted to.

          I drink alcohol, but rarely drink coffee. Frankly, I think the whole coffee culture is weird & criminally expensive considering many of the countries from which coffee is imported uses poorly paid labour. Drinking alcohol is equally as unnecessary as drinking coffee. In your absolutist view of money-saving (either you're mentally prepared or you are not) you should have said that both coffee and alcohol should be abandoned based on the fact they are unnecessary costs.

    • JimB on 05/03/2015 - 10:51

      As a non-smoker I'm always surprised at the price of a pack of cigarettes.

      If you do smoke, I don't know why you wouldn't just buy a box at the supermarket, rather than 1 pack at a time at an inflated price.

      I justified buying my Rolex to my wife saying cost the same as buying a pack of smokes a day for a year! lol

  • pernunz on 04/03/2015 - 14:30
    +2

    Not upgrading to a new phone just because the old contract expired.

    When I was younger, I went from iPhone, to Galaxy S, to Galaxy S3, each time paying $62, $49 and $52 per month respectively on a contract.

    My contract for my S3 expired in June or July last year, and since then I have moved to Vaya, paying $18/month. Every month I delay upgrading, I save over $30. It's now been 9 months, so $270, enough to buy a new Moto G. But, I'm happy enough with my phone as it is (and maybe it's because I don't use it much)

  • cashless on 04/03/2015 - 15:02
    +4

    Open the drawer where you store all that unwanted tech (old mobiles, impulse buys from OzB, unwanted eneloops, maybe old laptop PC etc).
    Take photos of it and list it all on ebay.
    I made more than $500 last year, just clearing out the drawer

  • SupeNintendoChalmers on 04/03/2015 - 15:07
    +9

    Discarded pizza boxes are an inexpensive source of cheese.

  • Mimbula on 04/03/2015 - 15:10

    Leftover catering from meetings- eat them for lunch and eat my packed lunch for my dinner. Or if there's heaps, take it all home and eat it over several days or even freeze some items. 9 times out of 10 a caterer cooks something I would/could never cook, so I try to not leave any food behind (unless others want some, I dont wanna be that person!)

  • uccoffee on 04/03/2015 - 17:21

    other than save, are they any way to earn more money with minimal time? :D

    • lemc6125 on 04/03/2015 - 19:35
      +1

      Million dollar question. I have a few options but at this stage I think time with baby is more valuable.

  • Aceboy884 on 04/03/2015 - 19:01

    I think it's better to think how to shop smarter

    Than think how to save,

    Saving implies you don't spend, which is silly

    Or better yet, think how you can earn more

  • syousef on 04/03/2015 - 19:24

    Never EVER agree to go on a family cruise in order to make your wife happy. ;-) ;-)

    • Azn310 on 04/03/2015 - 23:48
      +2

      You want a divorce? Thats how you get a divorce ;)

      • syousef on 05/03/2015 - 18:35
        +3

        Honey, is that you?

  • DEvok on 04/03/2015 - 19:27
    +1

    I also for got to post market research is also great as you can make a lot of extra cash from $80-$300, within. 1-3hour group discussions or online surveys.

    • inherentchoice on 05/03/2015 - 09:43

      With what company? Colmar Brunton never called me except for one time when they ask if I smoke. She said "Sorry we're looking for smokers".

  • arbok on 04/03/2015 - 20:40
    +2

    Here are my tips.

    Don't eat out at pubs on weekends. We go during the week when they have steak nights and parma nights and save 50% at least. (save $20 a week per two people)

    Drink ice water at restaurants. Healthier too. (save $6)

    Bring your own lunch as often as you can to work. Saved me buckets. (save $20)

    Stop going to the cinemas and buy less DVDs etc… plenty of shows to watch on 'on demand' at home. Try BBC for example. (assuming one cinema trip and DVD once a month - $15 a week)

    Reduce coffee intake. (save $20 a week)

    Do free things like go for a run or play basketball at the local school. (Save on gym $15 a week)

    There's a saving of $96 a week for two people here! ($5000+ a year)

  • Shoppingisfun on 04/03/2015 - 22:07
    +4

    My best tip is not to get caught up in paying for lots of activities for your baby… there is no need to go to swimming lessons yet for example…the water familiarisation that they do at that age can easily be done by just taking your baby to the pool for an hour each week or fortnight and playing with him in the water and it will cost you a quarter of the price.
    Similarly, baby gym classes are expensive and you can easily go to a playground or just set up a couple of mats and things at home to climb over for free!
    However, socialisation is important both for you and your baby so having play dates with other Mums and bubs that you might know is really great or your Mother's group or even your local library…lots of libraries offer free 'story time' sessions and they can be good fun.
    Enjoy the time with your baby..it goes by really quickly :)

    • lemc6125 on 05/03/2015 - 01:44
      +3

      I'm so glad you wrote this! Other babies are doing swimming lessons, music classes, gym classes etc and it does make me wonder. I'm not normally one to keep up with the Jones' but then mummy guilt kicks in. We go swimming at least once a week in his grandparent's pool and the park each day. 'rhyme time' at the library is great too. I've started convincing friends with babies that a picnic in the park is better than lunch in a Cafe (cheaper too!)
      Good to hear that you can still be a good mummy without spending $60+ per week on activities.

      • Shoppingisfun on 05/03/2015 - 15:06
        +2

        You sound like a lovely Mum and you're doing a wonderful job :)
        Mums definitely need to pace themselves with paid activities…they go on for years and years and you find yourself running around all over town once they are older and involved in different sports/activities…I think now, looking back, that under two there is nothing you can't do yourself…maybe even longer. The most important thing is to take the pressure off yourself and enjoy this time.

    • JimB on 05/03/2015 - 10:44
      +3

      I take my 2 yo to swimming classes.

      He enjoys it, just like a bath, or the beach, but the primary reason we take him is for safety reasons, he'll at least tread water or can swim to the edge of the pool.

  • horsome on 04/03/2015 - 23:38
    +1

    Zero waste home cooking tip.

    I chop up quick perishing veg and freeze them in water in cheap lunch containers for use in meals as I prefer fresh cooked meals over reheating frozen ones. Thaw out the veg on the day you use, pour the water out in the bowl and the veg is nearly as good as if it were snap frozen. Use the water as veg stock in meal or cooking rice.

    With meat I fillet to cooking size, use favourite marinate and then freeze in containers to meal portions.

    All prep work done just thaw and cook. Dinners have been far more enjoyable than doing bulk cooks and freezing and have had zero vegetable and meat waste since. I used to leave some of the frozen meals and unprepped meat in the freezer and eventually throw out.

    • Azn310 on 04/03/2015 - 23:55

      Thanks for the tip. I have been bulk cooking, and to be honest, from the third day onwards the food doesnt taste that good anymore. So might try your idea.

      Quick question tho, re: freezing the veg in water, doesnt it make the veg go bad? Like they get frostbite from being too cold

      • horsome on 05/03/2015 - 07:37

        The water actually preserves the veg structure somewhat. I haven't noticed the difference. But then my recipes have the veg thrown into the main meal and not as a side. It's an extension on the tip in preserving fresh herbs in ice trays.

        • Azn310 on 05/03/2015 - 12:57

          I've heard fresh herbs in ice trays with olive oil or butter (can't remember which lol), not water, is this correct?

          also, could you give some example of the type of veg you preserve in water in freezer? I can only think of brocolli that wont go bad haha capsicum, asian veg etc are just so soft and vulnerable

        • horsome on 05/03/2015 - 23:53
          +1

          @Azn310:

          I'm sure it works with water fine. It's like blanching so if you are into stir fry's this tip may not be for you as you will lose veg texture, other wise stewing or meat sauces (my fav) knock yourself out.

          But amount of time saved vs quality of veg texture is another trade off worth pondering, especially if you wanna eliminate prep times.

  • Logical on 05/03/2015 - 00:29

    save water by having the whole family use 1 WC and only flush once when going to sleep.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join