Cash craving: Half of Aussies would spend a $500 windfall on bills, not fun
Key takeaways
- Most people would choose financial relief over a treat.
- Just 11% would spend a cash injection on a fun experience.
- Finder offers the opportunity to unlock rewards worth up to $1,000 when switching eligible household bills.
Forget splurging on a shopping spree – if Australians were handed $500, most would use it to ease the pressure of everyday living, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,010 respondents revealed more than half (51%) of Aussies – equivalent to 11.1 million people – would put a $500 gift card towards household bills such as groceries, insurance and utilities.
A further 1 in 5 (20%) would stash the money away for emergencies, highlighting the ongoing desire to build a financial buffer.
Just 11% would spend the cash injection on an experience like a holiday, dinner out or entertainment, while 1 in 10 (9%) would use it to buy themselves something fun, such as clothes, jewellery or shoes.
Taylor Blackburn, personal finance specialist at Finder, said Australians are prioritising financial security over discretionary spending.
"A $500 reward isn't being seen as spending money – it's being seen as breathing room.
"On one hand, it's not a bad thing that Aussies are prioritising saving for emergencies.
"But when more than half would immediately put a windfall towards household bills, it's clear that cost-of-living pressures are still shaping financial decisions."
Finder's research found only 4% would spend the money on gifts for someone else, while 3% would put it towards a medical appointment, and 2% would donate it to charity.
The research comes as Finder offers Australians the opportunity to unlock rewards worth up to $1,000 when switching eligible household bills.
Blackburn said rewards can help households stretch their budgets further when they're already comparing providers.
"If you're already planning to switch your home loan, insurance, energy or internet provider, earning a reward on top can make that decision feel even more like a win.
"Finder Rewards give Australians the opportunity to compare products and potentially pocket hundreds of dollars in gift cards or cashback at the same time."
Blackburn said there are few deals worth switching to for the reward alone.
"The reward is the cherry on top, but think about the total value of the product with the cashback included.
"If you're getting a better deal and a cash reward at the same time, that's supercharging the ability to pay the bills Australians are telling us matter most."
If you got a $500 gift card that could be used anywhere, what would you do with it?
| Put toward household bills (e.g. grocery, insurance, utilities, etc) | 51% |
| Keep it for emergencies | 20% |
| Put towards an experience (e.g. nice dinner out, travel, entertainment, etc) | 11% |
| Treat myself to something fun (e.g. jewellery, clothing, shoes) | 9% |
| Buy someone else a gift (e.g. kids, partner, friends, etc) | 4% |
| Put toward a medical appointment (e.g. dentist, specialist) | 3% |
| Donate it to charity | 2% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,010 Australians, June 2026 |  |
Credits
- PR & Insights research team: Taylor Blackburn, Kate Boddington, Natascha Kwiet-Evans, William Capada
- Survey operation: Qualtrics
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