Tips & Ideas for Saving Your Money, Time and Resources – Top Money Saving Ideas for Australians

Download free software from the net. The internet is full of free software for downloading, some legal other aren’t. www.Cnet.com is a particularly good site with a lot of free software for download as well as reviews for various technology products. Be wary though as some downloads may contain viruses. You can always download for free, effective virus and spyware software like AVG Free, Malwarebytes and A-Squared Free.
Search on the web for free license keys. Instead of buying popular expensive software, search for free license keys. They are around, but may take some time in finding ones that are still usable. You can download the software from the company’s site and then key in your license key.

Claim 50% capital allowance on your next tax return for PC purchases. Small business owners benefit from an additional 50% tax deduction for capital investment allowance from ATO [information as of 2009]. Capital investment allowance are allowed on PC, laptop purchases, furniture related to your business like desks, filing cabinets, and other tools of trade. It is in addition to the usual depreciation expenses that are allowed on capital items. For non small business owners who undertake recurring income generating activities like owning a website that earn advertising revenue or sell things regularly on the net, it may be beneficial to register that activity as a small business sole trader, to enable claiming PC and tools of trade expenditure in your next tax return. You will also be able to claim for other computer related costs such as internet ISP monthly fees, software costs, and household expenses like energy and phone bills for the portion related to your business. The ATO requires you to keep record of every item you claim and the business portion of your house bills needs to be reasonable. Please check with the ATO or your tax accountant for more details.
Shop around for PC and Laptop bargains. Personal computers, software and laptops is a very competitive market with a lot of choices, retailers, and channels to buy from. By shopping around, you will be more informed and able to buy something best suited to your requirements and budget. Low cost new and second hand computers and laptops can be purchased online from sites like www.oztion.com.au and www.ebay.com.au. Refurbished and rebuilt computers and laptops can be great value for the features you get. These can usually be purchased at independent computer stores that sell unbranded products. These stores also sell completely new as well as refurbished PCs, and are much more economical than your large electronic stores.
Scavenge PCs left on nature strips for hard waste collectors. As computer hardware items are continually upgraded, there are many still functional, older model monitors, PCs, printers, scanners, fax machine, laptops being thrown out on nature strips for hard waste collectors. Perhaps drive around more affluent suburbs to see what you can find - someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure.

Salvage something from your local Waste and Recycling Centre. Some centres charge a small fee for members of the public to pick up an unwanted computer hardware item, to help cover the cost of their staff sorting the waste. These centres collect thousands of unwanted PCs and other equipment each year so provide abundant choice for the prospective shopper/recycler, at minimal or zero cost. Contact your local council or a wealthy suburb municipal council to find out where their recycling tip is located.
Shop around for an internet service provider. Many smaller players offer better deals than the larger ISP providers. Telecommunication packaged deals such as combining fixed line, broadband and Pay TV can be quite economical as well.
Search for discounts coupons. There are many discount coupon sites that offer a lot of discounts, latest deals, information and coupons for computer related items, services, accessories and software. Alternatively, search the web for promotional codes that you can input into the “checkout page”. There are many sites on the web and discussion forums that provide free codes so that you can save on your next purchase.

Buy brand name compatible printer cartridges, not original branded ones. Printer companies always recommend that their branded cartridges should be used, or you may risk damaging your printer, but most of the time this is just another marketing ploy to secure a continuing revenue stream from you. There are many sites which offer brand name compatible cartridges which work just as well as the original ones, and cost much less. In fact some compatible cartridges last longer than the original branded ones, as it is in the branded company’s interest to design cartridges that are exhausted quickly. Some great sites to buy printer catridges include: www.123inkjets.com.au where you can save up to 80% of printer consumables and Cartridge depot.

Purchase a laptop instead of desktop to save energy. Laptops consume less energy and also provide advantages of taking up less space, and of course are portable.
Sell your old PC and laptops. PCs and laptops are quickly superseded by newer models. Instead of throwing out your old computers or leaving them in the garage, sell them online to help pay towards your new PC. The longer you hold off selling your PC the less you will receive from it.