Inflation, crazy house prices and slow wage growth are making themselves felt, particularly this year. If we ever want to afford a home, we need to keep an eye on every dollar. So, here are a few things we’re trying to make the money go further.
RACV member gift cards cut shopping costs
If you’re a member of RACV, you’re able to get discounts on gift cards at a range of shops. Currently, there’s an offer of 4% off Woolworths gift cards which we’re using to save money on the groceries. I bought a discounted gift card that I’m now using for our food. While 4% isn’t a huge discount, it does start to bring things back down to almost what they were pre-inflation.
This might not be helpful if you’re not with RACV, but if you are, check it out. If you’re with another insurance provider, check if they have any member benefits that may help you.
Use the Honey browser add-on to save money
I have been using Honey for years and I almost never pay full price for things online. Honey is a browser add on (also available for Apple phones), which hunts the web for discount vouchers or coupon codes anytime you shop. It will try the codes for you, ensuring that you get a discount or know that you have the best price available from that shop.
You can also earn ‘gold’ when you shop, which translates into gift cards down the track. In order to not get sucked into a ‘spend to save’ trap, I view the gold as a side bonus, not the main purpose. When I’m getting things, I always check for discounts and activate any offers for gold, but I don’t purchase something I don’t need simply to get gold.
This little add on has saved me stacks over the last few years for online shopping. And so far I’ve redeemed one gift card, which was also a nice way to get a bit of cash back on things.
Make sure you have the best deal on utilities
Gas, electricity, water, phone and internet are necessary costs that can blow out pretty quickly. While it’s easy to set and forget, it pays to check you have the best price. At least once a year, I head to Vic Energy Compare to see whether we are getting the best deal on our gas and electricity. Some years I’ve been able to switch providers and save significant money. Other years, I can rest easy knowing I’m still on the best deal for us.
Take the time to check that you’re getting the best deal on all your utilities. They’re silent money suckers that you need, but you can make sure you’re only spending what you need to on them. If you’re not in Victoria, Australia, check to see if your state/country offers a compare service. Don’t forget to check your water, internet and phone as well. You might be able to get the same service for less.
Note: Be wary of other comparison websites, which often take commission on spruiking certain services, even if they’re not the best offer.
