Down the drain: Average Aussie wastes $154 per month
Australians are throwing away a small fortune every year without even realising it, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,005 respondents revealed the average Australian admits to wasting a staggering $154 a month. That's $1,849 a year – a collective $39.6 billion down the drain.
The research shows 2 in 3 Australians (68%) are squandering money every month.
Young Australians waste the most money, with gen Z admitting to wasting a whopping $237 a month, compared to just $65 by baby boomers.
Rebecca Pike, money expert at Finder, said Aussies are spending on everything from impulse purchases to frivolous expenses.
"When you add it all up, that's money you could be saving for a home deposit, a holiday, or just a rainy day.
"We're talking about hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars that could be going into your super or some other investment, but instead, it's just slipping through your fingers month after month.
"It's a real kick in the teeth when you see how much could be saved by cutting back on some unnecessary expenses. That $150 could be your ticket to financial freedom if you change your habits."
Finder's research shows 17% of Australians waste between $151 and $200 a month, while 1 in 10 (11%) are flushing between $201–$500 down the drain each month.
Pike said whether you're wasting $5 or $500, it all adds up.
"It's not about living like a monk – no one is saying not to have fun and enjoy yourself from time to time. The more you can segment or budget what you will spend for fun, the better.
"Once you think about spending as a long-term investment rather than short-term indulgence, the more you will actually enjoy when you do splurge."
Pike said even small changes can have a big impact.
"If you're wasting money each month, it's time to reassess your spending. Redirecting just a small portion of that could set you up for greater financial security, whether it's building savings or paying off debt.
"If you can't be bothered to manually track your spending, you can use an app like Gather or WeMoney.
"Consider putting that saved money into a high-interest savings account. It's a low-risk way to let your money grow – helping you build a financial cushion."
Interestingly, more men (35%) than women (28%) believe they do not waste any money on a monthly basis.
Check out Finder's free budget planner to create your personalised budget.
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,005 respondents from April 2025.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.
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