Requesting Your Support to Analyse My Monthly Spending

welcomeUniverseWorld on 02/10/2025 - 22:30
Last edited 03/10/2025 - 07:34 by 1 other user

I have posted before. I been trying hard to reduce our household expenses for a year now. Below is where I am so far. Please note the comments as well. Do you think I am overspending anywhere? Please be kind to me.

Fixed Costs Monthly Annual Comments
Energy (Gas + Electricity) $239 $2,864/year I switch. We are a small apt of 3 people.
Water (utilities) $48 $576/year
Health Insurance $366.83 $4,402/year I had 7 different surgeries in last 1 year. I likely will have another 3. So, I need top tier Gold cover.
Internet (Uniti) $89.85 $1,078/year I am locked with this unfortunately until early next year.
Mobile – Wife $30 $360/year
Mobile – You (Lebara annual) $18 $219/year
Childcare (fees + etc + swimming + books/education) $1,133 $13,596/year Child going to public school next year. I am expecting this to reduce
My NRMA Membership $9 $109/year
NRMA Car Insurance (Comprehensive Plus) $113.79 $1,365/year
NRMA CTP Green Slip $49 $586/year
Driver Licence Renewal $6 $72/year
Car Cleaning $70 $840/year car gets seriously unclean considering I have a toddler. And I really do not get time to clean it myself.
Car Servicing (2×/year) $95 $1,145/year
Pink Slip (estimate) $4 $50/year
Car Registration (estimate) $55 $661/year
Variable Costs Monthly Annual Comments
Groceries ~$955 ~$11,463/year includes cost of basic grocerry and also others like soap, oil, etc etc
Petrol (estimate) $100 $1200/year Possibly gets added to grocerries
Eating Out ~$185 ~$2,216/year

I suppose once my child starts public school a large portion of the spending will be cut. Also, once all my surgeries are over in another 1 year, I can cut down the private insurance to bare minimum as well.

Edit:
I got some really good suggestion so far from all of you. I appreciate everyone taking your valuable time to discuss here.
Some suggestions I got so far are:

  • Reduce cost in car servicing. Maybe do this once a year or learn to service as much as possible by myself.
  • Reduce cost in car cleaning by vacuuming often myself.
  • Reduce child care & child related costs. Child is going to school early next year. Hence, this cost will anyway drop down. I have a gut feeling other new costs will creep in.

I will consider all these in my future 1 year of cost reduction.

Financial

Comments

  • djones145 on 02/10/2025 - 22:47
    +32

    if you cooked on the hot plates in the park you would save a lot of money

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 06:32
      +6

      Thank you. I will consider your option

      • Cheaplikethebird on 03/10/2025 - 09:02
        +8

        You'll need a little trolley cart and an extension cord that's long enough to reach your neighbours outlet.

      • Dr Phil on 03/10/2025 - 17:58
        +2

        I think only you can decide what you could cut back on.

        But the $840pa of car cleaning is a great place to start.

        Make the time and save some cash!

        Spend it on your todler instead

        Also get an annual mobile plan.
        Check out the Coles or Onepass mobile 365 day plans and wait till they go on special for about $150.

        lastly NRMA is one of the most expensive insurers so you are probably paying way too much.
        Check out: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/car-insurance/

        The other option is to EARN MORE MONEY!

  • Jaduqimon on 02/10/2025 - 22:59

    car servicing 2x a year? if its a non european car… i would just do 1 a year.

    but all in all, a solid budget, not many places I can see that can be cut

    • geekcohen on 03/10/2025 - 06:13
      +1

      car servicing 2x a year? if its a non european car… i would just do 1 a year.

      Servicing twice a year is most likely that they are driving 30,000kms. For the sake of some servicing at ~$700, it could be cheaper to service then run the risk and develop an issue. My vehicle servicing is twice a year, and that's just 1 car. My wife's car is pretty much serviced annually as we don't drive the kms in her car like we do mine.

      • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 06:33

        Roughly near that

      • fredz0r on 03/10/2025 - 08:46
        +5

        doubt they are doing 30k a year - they are only spending $100 a month on fuel would be more than double that if they are get 6/l per 100km

      • gromit on 03/10/2025 - 17:06

        They aren't doing anywhere close to 30k a year, not even close to half that, at least not on $100 a month

  • SBOB on 02/10/2025 - 23:01
    +23

    Car Cleaning: $70 → $840/year -> car gets seriously unclean considering I have a toddler. And I really do not get time to clean it myself.

    Could have vacuumed the car in the time it took to post this.
    Save $840/yr

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 06:33
      +2

      Thank you. Quite a good idea. Will consider that

    • solidussnake on 03/10/2025 - 06:58
      +3

      I have a 3yo and 10 month old takes me 10 mins tops with a vet dry vac and using baby wipes on the dash for the dust

    • Excelsior on 03/10/2025 - 17:43

      I have a 3 year old as well and cleaning it isn't that difficult so it's definitely doable. Mostly dry vacuuming for me as we avoid eating in the car as much as possible especially with messy/liquid foods.

      We don't do much day-to-day driving but if the exterior of my car is extremely dirty and we're short on time, we'd just go to the nearest drive thru car wash for $15.

      • onetwothreefour on 03/10/2025 - 18:34

        I have a 3 year old as well and cleaning it isn't that difficult

        Just chuck it in the shower?

  • Hybroid on 02/10/2025 - 23:01
    +6

    Not sure what we can suggest really. Wife's annual mobile cost could be halved but you know that already from your own, so there's probably a reason for it.

    Ultimately, it's the $13,596/year Childcare + associated expenses that's killing you. Everything else is pretty standard with marginal savings if any.

    No rent/mortgage seems like a win.

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 02/10/2025 - 23:04

      Yeah.. I bought a Lebara 1 year sim for her.. But you know.. Once a wife sticks with something, I just at times have to go with it..

      Childcare cost is high. My toddler is going to public school next year. Hence, that cost likely goes down….

      I miss my single unmarried life.

      • boomramada on 03/10/2025 - 08:40
        +3

        No rent/mortgage

        Where are the council rates/body corporate/rates? Are you still living with your parents?
        Where is the owner/content insurance?

        dual income?
        What is the proportion of income vs expenditure ($35k) ?
        What are you trying to achieve?

        I miss my single unmarried life.

        So you're not happy with the current arrangement? I think you should discuss these with your other half.

      • wt860 on 03/10/2025 - 14:13
        +1

        The Harvey Norman staff tried to sell me their SIM plan and asked what I spend each year. They couldn’t believe I only paid $45 on Vodafone prepaid and now I’ve switched to Telstra’s $13 six-month prepaid.

  • jv on 02/10/2025 - 23:02
    -2

    Stop drinking water.

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 02/10/2025 - 23:02

      Vodka?

      • jv on 03/10/2025 - 09:16
        +1

        No, just use rain water…

        Instant $576 saving….

        • smartazz104 on 03/10/2025 - 13:50

          Most of the water bill isn't in the water usage itself…

    • foxmulder on 03/10/2025 - 00:50
      +1

      A Philips on tap filter cost around $16 per 1000 litre - I'm guessing 3-4 months? One time system cost is $75 and easy to install yourself (provided your kitchen tap compatible.

      Kogan mobile is $150 per year for 120gb? Data per year. Not sure if it's enough.

      Yes cut down the car wash, do if yourself. This is one of the things you can avoid paying professional.

      • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 06:35

        I shopped around and Lebara was cheapest when I bought it. I think it was some kind of deal at that time. I also need to call my family (who are old) overseas that Lebara fits. Kogan mobile doesn’t have the countries I need. Thanks. I will definitely search for cheaper deal when next renewal comes

        • foxmulder on 03/10/2025 - 09:39

          These days not sure why people don't just call for free with WhatsApp. It's free and it's not that bad.

  • ScroogeMcSpendthrift on 02/10/2025 - 23:14
    +4

    got to be missing some spend. What do you do for entertainment? stare at wall?

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 02/10/2025 - 23:17
      +4

      Oh man. My life is so boring. I have cut down most of my entertainment spending, like Paramount + etc.
      In most times, I am just doom scrolling or reading about science or outer space news.
      I am getting very very tired and low in energy. Thanks for pointing it out. Me and my family have not taken a vacation travelling anywhere in like many years now.
      We are tired. I try my best to squeeze money. However, it seems like I see little left at the end.

      • jv on 02/10/2025 - 23:46
        +2

        or reading about science or outer space news.

        https://curiositystream.com/

      • Nonce on 03/10/2025 - 06:48
        +4

        sounds like youre just existing

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 03/10/2025 - 07:26
        +3

        tired low energy and kids

        Same so I just abuse pre workout

      • morse on 03/10/2025 - 08:27

        Maybe take up a free or almost free sport or recreation activity like running, body weight training, bushwalking. The little one could come along on a bike for running. Also take advantage of free streaming services.

      • turbochris on 03/10/2025 - 14:46
        +1

        Next year should be a good year. You will save a lot in childcare expenses. As you child gets older, there will be less mess in the car so you can cut down cleaning expenses.

        Then use some of the savings to go on a holiday - you aren't getting any younger.

      • ops on 03/10/2025 - 17:48
        +1

        Book at least a long weekend away with your family for a change of scenery, it will give you some quality family time, a break and some perspective.

    • smartazz104 on 03/10/2025 - 14:41

      Probably when they eat out.

  • oscargamer on 02/10/2025 - 23:20
    +1

    Wash car yourself

    Please explain car servicing numbers. They don't math

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 02/10/2025 - 23:21

      Twice a year… Total cost ~1,145/year which is around $95 a month. I try to keep that in savings so that I can pay for the servicing when time comes

      • Far Cough on 02/10/2025 - 23:35

        too much in service costs
        how many km do you do if you dont buy fuel

        • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 05:46

          Fuel cost about $100+ a month. Must have added with groceries. Often use up flybuys points to buy groceries. And fuel cost could roughly be higher or lower as well. I bundled together . Was easier to calculate.

      • oscargamer on 03/10/2025 - 07:21

        What car?
        How many km on the car?
        How many km per year?

  • Far Cough on 02/10/2025 - 23:31
    +2

    why have a car when you dont buy fuel

    • jv on 02/10/2025 - 23:47

      Tesla

      • Far Cough on 02/10/2025 - 23:59

        Yeah prob explains the gas/power costs

        • jv on 03/10/2025 - 00:02

          Solar

          • Far Cough on 03/10/2025 - 00:19

            @jv: Nah the expensive amount.
            I live in a 5 bed house, 2 people plus dog, lots of tech and I pay $61 for power and $62 for gas a month.
            And I have 10kw solar

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 05:45

      Fuel cost usually low about $100 a month. I must have added it with groceries….

  • Benoffie on 02/10/2025 - 23:35
    +5

    Most of those seem in the right ballpark.

    I would be culling the car cleans and services.

    Dont recommend dropping the hospital unless needed. If youve had surgeries, recurrence is an issue

    In terms of the kid, I note things like swimming, books, education.

    How much is childcare and how much is extra fluff?

    If a child can swim and meet Senior Swim and Survive, everything else is a waste, unless they are going for gold.

    Stop buying books - use the library, especially free online services such as Sora.

    Download free content from Canva. Teachers pump most stuff on there now state departments give it to us for free.

    Limit child to one thing. Art, dance, sport whatever. Not giving parenting advice. Just acknowledging those things are stupid expensive, dont actually drive significant outcomes and make everyone time poor.

  • MeesusEff on 03/10/2025 - 00:06
    +4

    Ive had 2 toddlers, car doesnt get dirty apart from sand. I dont let them eat in the car except for fruit. What is the mess from?

    • Far Cough on 03/10/2025 - 00:20
      +4

      Poor discipline

  • AussieDaddy on 03/10/2025 - 00:47

    About $41,600 for 2 adults and 1 child without rent/mortgage? I'm single and that's about half my annual income before tax so I think I'm too poor to say whether that's high or low.

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 06:38

      U save money when single. I lived at 1/10 the cost when I was single. Married life brings married expenses

  • MS Paint on 03/10/2025 - 02:31

    Where are your credit card payments?

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 05:40

      I had some profits from crypto. Paid all. Plus got a few more for rainy days

      • MS Paint on 03/10/2025 - 09:07
        +1

        Have you put funds aside for capital gains tax?

        • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 12:43

          Don’t worry :)

          I know these very well.
          Not new to crypto.
          My smsf super in crypto had it for a few years.
          My normal tax done by hrblock. All in order there.

  • Nonce on 03/10/2025 - 06:45
    -2

    wow thats a lot of expenses. i think i only spent $30/month in electricity and i live in a 4 bedroom house

    how much do you save a month after all that?

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 07:39
      +1

      $30 monthly for electricity? Wow. Do you have solar or something? I wish I could have that. I do not know how my electricity and gas that much. I shop around whenever there is a new deal

    • freefall101 on 03/10/2025 - 08:25
      +1

      My connection fee is almost $30 a month, unless you’re exporting a tonne of solar or have a battery that seems incredibly low (or you just have an amazing supplier).

    • ssfps on 03/10/2025 - 17:14
      +1

      Well I live on the street feeding on the scraps in the bins of 4x 4 bedroom houses and I spend $0/month on electricity. Obviously our situations are comparable.

  • brendanm on 03/10/2025 - 06:49
    +2

    I thought you were a multimillionaire from Bitcoin.

  • Nonce on 03/10/2025 - 06:52
    +1

    where is your rent/mortgage expense? you own outright or what?

  • joka on 03/10/2025 - 07:00
    +1

    That seems quite reasonable. Trying to squeeze those last few dollars will be more work than what it’s worth.

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 07:37

      It is getting challenging trying to squeeze. However, I have to continue doing so. Cost rises exponentially every year.

      • MS Paint on 03/10/2025 - 07:51
        +2

        Cost rises exponentially every year.

        That's total BS

        • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 19:02

          A basket of goods and services valued at $ 15000 in calendar year 2005 , would in calendar year 2024 cost $ 25,069.30
          Source: https://www.rba.gov.au/calculator/annualDecimal.html

          Total change in cost is 67.1 per cent.
          However, 67.1%/19 = 3.53% increase every year on average.

          If this is not exponential increase in cost, i do not know what is

  • ForkSnorter on 03/10/2025 - 07:11
    -6

    $41k/year expenses. You must be on a pretty good salary. If not, you need to do some serious budgeting. My yearly expenses are around $15k.

    • Nonce on 03/10/2025 - 07:14
      +1

      dont worry, hes a bitcoin millionaire

    • smartazz104 on 03/10/2025 - 13:51

      Where's your breakdown?

    • ssfps on 03/10/2025 - 17:17

      Why do you and a bunch of other people post meaningless nonsense like this?
      Do you have a family?
      Are you a hobo?
      $15k a year is not normal, even for a very modest australian lifestyle. Many families on centrelink are still paying nearly twice that on rent alone.

      I'd guess you live with your parents and don't have any discretionary spending, don't go to the dentist, etc.

  • narbe on 03/10/2025 - 07:18
    +1

    Most people have suggested the obvious.
    41k for 2 adult / 1 kid is pretty good im at double that no kids.

    Regardless few things you could consider:

    Meal Prep Lunches.
    Shop at Aldi for cheaper chemicals ie, dishwasher tablets, laundry etc cetera
    Consider the other spectrum, earnings . You can't save more than you earn.
    You haven't mentioned rent/mortgage often this is the biggest one downgrade lifestyle , compromise now for the future. You are in an apartment so I am going to guess this is low.

    Also how about listening to a few FIRE podcasts, ie Strong Money. - This isn't a push for you invest or anything, but I find a goal orientated mindset is going to help you go from "existing" to living.

    Also you are probably doing pretty well compared to alot of people so keep it up.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 03/10/2025 - 07:27
    +1

    How are your feet?

    • welcomeUniverseWorld on 03/10/2025 - 07:38
      +1

      My feet is ok. I had surgeries on my hand. It is better now. I needed two surgeries. I was doing regular Pysio. However, stopped it as I do my own exercise at home now.

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 03/10/2025 - 07:47
        +11

        Was more implying supplementary income in the way of feet pictures but it’s good to hear your feet are better now.

  • wizzy on 03/10/2025 - 08:00
    +1

    You might be able to get cheaper comprehensive car insurance. I have personally never found NRMA to be the cheapest and saved hundreds of dollars by switching to Bingle. I had to claim once and they were fine.

    • Far Cough on 03/10/2025 - 08:28

      i use greater bank

  • freefall101 on 03/10/2025 - 08:32
    +2

    Over half your spending is groceries and childcare, unless you dig into those more there’s not really a whole lot of savings you can do.

    Confused why this is a problem though. With that much childcare spending I assume you’re on dual income?

    You need to look at your life on a whole, if you’re spending money due to being too tired (ie car cleaning) then it’s more than just spending you need to look at. If the financial situation will improve dramatically with the kid going to school, maybe just hold out until then, then set aside a couple of grand from the savings for a holiday.

    • ssfps on 03/10/2025 - 17:21
      -1

      Over half your spending is groceries and childcare, unless you dig into those more there’s not really a whole lot of savings you can do.

      His grocery bill is less than many single people's for a family of 4. They are already living on potatoes and rice by the looks of things.

      • wetsandwich on 03/10/2025 - 17:46
        +2

        Hang on, in what world does a single person spend over ~240pw for groceries?

        I can do about $90 and if I go crazy with steaks and stuff then maybe $130.

        • ssfps on 03/10/2025 - 19:38

          I agree it's a bit lavish, but there are plenty of people that do. Good meat and veg is expensive, throw in some luxuries like eggs for breakfast each day and olive oil, etc… I'm also including general household consumables in the "grocery" bill. Someone that ate pesticide-free/free-range/biodynamic etc food would probably struggle to eat well on $240 per person.

          $130 for you seems cheap if you're buying nice steaks though? Or do you mean "go crazy" as in buy economy steaks rather than only eat mince?
          As a student I use to spend ~$100 (adjusted to today's money) on food per week, and that was treating myself to an economy porterhouse steak once a fortnight.

  • CodeXD on 03/10/2025 - 09:19

    Mobile – You

    Me!

    Where is tally at the end?

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 03/10/2025 - 09:53

    Car Registration (estimate) $55 $661/year

    Anyone want to tell me why car rego in Victoria is almost $1000 compared to NSW? - my guess is TAC? do they not hae TAC in NSW?

    • SBOB on 03/10/2025 - 09:57

      CTP a seperate 'item' cost in NSW compared to already "rolled in" to the price in Vic?
      Size of vehicle differences (at least in NSW cost varies based on vehicle weight and usage category)

      • Trying2SaveABuck on 03/10/2025 - 09:58

        thank you

        • Baysew on 03/10/2025 - 16:18

          So for OP NSW total charges for registration and CTP/TAC -

          Car Registration (estimate) $55 $661/year
          NRMA CTP Green Slip $49 $586/year
          Pink Slip (estimate) $4 $50/year (Vehicle Inspection Fee)

          Total $154/Month $1297/Year

          Victoria - $77.56/Month Metropolitan area (high risk zone) $930.70/Year

  • backupper1 on 03/10/2025 - 11:08
    +1

    Somewhere on Ozb I read that mynrma membership can be had for free so its worth having a look

  • Ashless on 03/10/2025 - 13:08
    +3

    Looks like you have squeezed as much as you can on your expenses. You should now focus on increasing your income.

    • netjock on 03/10/2025 - 13:52
      +1

      Valid but I don't know why you get a -1 for this.

      Everyone should optimise their income for their situation. If you are on $100k and can see not much extra work / responsibility get to $120k then after tax it is around $14k extra a year. Alternatively if one person is making $200k a year and the other person income is less it might be worthwhile to both get a $100k job (total $200k) because the total tax bill is smaller (I don't like how ATO treats couples individually for income tax but centrelink takes family income).

      • ssfps on 03/10/2025 - 17:21

        (I don't like how ATO treats couples individually for income tax but centrelink takes family income).

        Yep, we're getting scammed hard compared to most other 'first world' countries that tax on family income.

  • Broke-Ken on 03/10/2025 - 13:36

    Two things stand out on your list

    • Child care, have you signed up for the Child Care Subsidy? can save a bit from that, I think it can also apply for afterschool care when your child goes to school next year. Check to see if you qualify.

    • Cleaning your car, you can do that yourself and restrict what the kid does in the car for it to get so dirty.

    • MeesusEff on 03/10/2025 - 17:01

      Daycares are about $150-210 these days, id say thats already the ccs rate

  • nomoneynoproblems on 03/10/2025 - 14:06
    +1

    Get rid of car insurance. This is ozbargain, we don’t have car insurance around here.

  • bozaar on 03/10/2025 - 14:25

    Can you break your gas and electricity? It is double to me and i have 4 people with an EV.

    Why do you need to clean the car? Dont eat in the car then nothing to clean. I have a toddler and its just sand, who cares.

    • wetsandwich on 03/10/2025 - 17:43

      Depends which state he is in. That doesn't seem like a huge bill especially if he's in QLD where power is very expensive AND they have to run aircon all the time.

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