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How to save money

Here are 50 money-saving tips that will help you budget and save money quickly.

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Alison Banney
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Looking for some quick and easy ways to save money? We've got 50 practical tips in this guide to help you start saving money right away. Whether you're trying to save for a particular goal like a house deposit or if you're simply trying to build up your savings for a rainy day, these are simple things that you can start doing today without making too many changes to your lifestyle.

Finder's 50 money-saving tips

We've got some great tips to help you save money on your groceries and shopping, tips to help you save on your products and services as well as some ways you can make a bit of extra cash on the side. You can either browse all the tips from the beginning, or select the area you'd like some tips in from the options below.

Tips to save money on food and drinks

1. Do the grocery shopping at night.

Fresh produce often goes on sale later in the day, to avoid it going to waste. You can grab things like fresh meat and bakery items for half price, simply by hitting the grocery store later in the evening.

2. Get a coffee machine.

It might sound counterproductive buying something when you're trying to save money, but owning your own machine will save you heaps of money over the long term. Buying your own beans and milk works out to be around 50c for each coffee you make at home, compared to almost $5 buying a coffee out.

3. Get your kitchen staples at Aldi.

Some people love Aldi, some people don't. Regardless of how you feel about it, there's no doubt it's cheaper than other major grocery stores. Stock up on household essentials like toilet paper, tissues, toothpaste and pantry staples like salt, pepper and olive oil and you'll notice the savings straight away.

4. Buy wine and beer in bulk.

Instead of buying a new bottle of wine each weekend, why not buy a case of 12 bottles and keep them in the cupboard? If you buy a case of wine at stores like Dan Murphy's and First Choice Liquor you can save a few dollars or even more per bottle.

5. Try Meat Free Monday (or Tuesday, or Wednesday!).

Not only is eating less meat said to be better for your health, but it can also help you save money. Meat is often the most expensive part of your grocery shop, so by cutting it out one or two nights a week, you can save a bit of money on your grocery bill.

6. Buy takeaway coffee in a reusable cup.

Not only are reusable coffee cups great for the environment, but they can also save you money. A lot of cafes will offer discounts to customers who bring their own cup, so keep an eye out for any that offer discounts in your local area and make them your regular coffee spot.

7. Learn how to cook.

If you find yourself eating out or getting takeaway several times a week, this will certainly be eating away at your savings. Spend some time researching recipes you like and perfecting them. There's no shortage of cooking videos online, so not knowing how to cook is no longer an excuse to spend money eating out.

8. Take a shopping list when you do your weekly shop.

Make sure you always have a shopping list before hitting the grocery shops. Having a list will prevent you from buying things you don't necessarily need or being swayed with sale items.

9. Get creative with your leftovers.

Once you've mastered tip number 7, the next step is to get creative with your leftover cooking. Australians waste about $9 billion worth of food each year. Turning your leftovers into a new meal for lunch the next day or dinner the following night will save money and avoid food waste, which is great for the wallet and for the planet.

10. Pack snacks when you're out and about.

If you've got a busy day running around the city from meeting to meeting, it's tempting to buy some lunch at a cafe when you're hungry. Try to get in the habit of bringing some snacks like muesli bars, fruit and nuts with you when you're out for the day to keep you going without the need to buy anything.

11. Buy in bulk.

It may seem more expensive upfront, but it's usually cheaper to buy larger quantities of items like olive oil, cheese, coffee beans and dishwashing powder. A great way to check this is by looking at the cost per unit on the price tag: e.g. the cost per 100ml or per 100 grams.

12. Cut down the alcohol intake.

Not only is drinking less alcohol better for your health, but it'll help you save more money. Consider sticking to water when eating out to make your bill a little bit cheaper and offer to be the designated driver when you're heading out with friends to ensure you have a cheaper night.

20 easy ways to save more money

Tips to save money when shopping

13. Check online before buying in-store.

Retailers will often have sales on items in their online stores, despite the same items not being on sale in their physical stores. Before you buy something in-store, check if it's on sale online and if it is, the retailer will usually match the online price for you.

14. Shop at op shops.

You'd be surprised what you can find at charity stores like Vinnies. Not only can you find brand-name clothes for a fraction of their original price, but it's a great place to stock up on kitchen essentials like pots and pans, as well as general household necessities.

15. Get free stuff on Gumtree.

You might not know this, but Gumtree has a section called "Freebies" which is exactly as it sounds: people giving away stuff for free! Sure, there's a lot of junk in there. But there's also a lot of good-quality stuff, too. A lot of people can't be bothered selling things when they're moving so they'll put them on Gumtree for free, to get them off their hands. You can find anything from furniture and appliances to clothes, books, movies and even pets.

16. Use coupon codes.

You can find a discount coupon code for just about anything online. From clothes and jewellery, to health and beauty products and tech like new phones and laptops, you're sure to find a discount. You can browse our huge range of coupon codes here.

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