We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
The lowdown
Being financially savvy doesn't mean you have to stop shopping entirely. Whether it's your regular purchases or replacing a broken fridge, there are plenty of ways you can save money.
The key thing is to try to avoid impulse buying, and take the time to make sure you're getting the best deal.
Here's how you do it
- Consider buying used or second-hand. Amazon AU, Etsy and ASOS Marketplace are great for finding second-hand goods, from clothes to artwork.
- Don't always go for the big-name brands. Instead of buying the brands you're most familiar with, try the chemist/home-brand version and see if there really is a difference.
- Always do a search for discount codes. Before you buy anything, always do a search for "discount codes [insert website]" to see if there are any promo codes available. You can also sign up to newsletters if it's your first purchase from that site and often score a first-time buyer discount.
- Shop during the sales events. You can get pretty much guaranteed discounts by saving your purchases until sale time. Here are Australia's main ones: Click Frenzy (bi-annually), Vogue Online Shopping Night (bi-annually), EOFY sales, Black Friday and Boxing Day sales. Bookmark these dates as this is when retailers will have their biggest discounts.
Don't miss these tips
⚡Abandon your cart. Add items into your cart and if you abandon, some retailers will email you with a unique discount code to try to get you to purchase.
Check back each day in the lead-up to Christmas to get our latest expert personal finance tips.