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

Buy in bulk, seasonal and whatever is on sale. Don’t get into habit of buying what you feel like having today. Stock up on durable “on sale” items like toilet paper, detergent, and canned food. Seasonal food is usually cheaper and fresher.
Cook food in large amounts and pack the rest of it in the freezer. It is cheaper to buy food in bulk and store it for another day.
Check weight of food items, not just price. Some items that appear cheaper may not be when you compare the weight.

Discipline yourself with a grocery checklist. Prepare a checklist after having planned for your weekly meals, and except for “on sale” items, stick to this checklist. Exercise self-restraint at the checkout by focusing on junk food and treats you already placed in your trolley - those checkout chocolate bars and magazines were designed for impulse buying.
Don’t take the kids to the supermarket. They will pester you for junk food and other unnecessary items.
Stay away from frozen dinners and entrees. These are usually not nutritious and it is much cheaper to make your own. Instead of buying frozen vol-au-vents for $6 filled with cream and artificial flavours, you can buy the empty pastry cases for $3 and fill it up yourself with tasty healthy fillings.

Get free discount coupons. Many websites offer free grocery discount coupons.
Shop at thrifty supermarkets like Aldi or in “competitive” shopping centres. Shopping centres that have a number of large supermarkets located close together often sell items for a lot less, as there is more competition. In Melbourne an example would be shopping centres like Box Hill Centro (has competition from Woolworths, Coles, Asian grocery stores, and a large fresh food market), and Doncaster Westfield (has Colonial Fruits, Woolworths, Coles).
Buy home brand. In many cases, the actual contents are in fact a well know branded item just packaged up as a supermarket home brand, and comes with a much lower price tag.

Do not go grocery shopping when you are hungry. You will end up buying a lot of things you don’t need and a lot of junk food.
Cut out the daily take-out coffee. A $3.90 regular latte will save you $3.90 x 5 days x 52 weeks = $1,014 a year of after tax money.
Bring your lunch to work. The $9 focaccia and drink will save you $9 x 5 days x 52 weeks = $2,340 a year of after tax cash.

Be vigilant at the super market checkout. Prices are often not updated and you could be charged more than the advertised shelf price. If you paid more, exercise your rights as Australia law requires supermarkets to give over charged consumers the first item for free, only if the item has already been paid for.
Shop at fresh food and fish markets. The food is generally fresher and cheaper, as turnover is higher and there is more competition. When shopping at fresh food markets, visit on the last afternoon of the week as stall holders discount produce to remove old stock (eg In Melbourne Victoria Market go on a Saturday after 12 midday).

Make use of coupons at the back of your supermarket dockets. Some of the discounts are very useful like buy main meal get one free and buy one coffee get one free. Look out for coupons and free services in your local council newspapers. Newly opened shops often advertised and offer freebies in these newspapers.
Visit Farmer’s markets. They are great places to sample food for free and buy freshly made home produce at low prices.
Use cloth towels. Disposable paper towels use up quickly and add up over time.

Reuse foil and glad wrap. This not only saves money, but is better for environment too.
Quit smoking and alcohol. Not only are they expensive, they are bad for your health and impacts your family as well. Smokers and alcoholics pay a lot more tax as governments love taxing these items because the public generally do not complain when taxes are raised on these products.
Grow your own vegetables, herbs and spices in your backyard. Not only is it cost effective and organic, it can develop into a personally very rewarding hobby.

Dilute liquid cleaning products with water. Products like dishwasher, shampoo, liquid soap can be diluted with water. Not only does it last longer, but it is easier to dispense and use as well.
Limit small spending items like ice-cream and soft drinks. Your twice weekly $4 ice-cream adds up $4 x 2 x 52 weeks = $416. Bring your own bottled water.
Don’t throw away loose change. If you feel loose change are weighing down your pocket, put them away in a tin or jar until it fills up and then take it to the bank - you can easily find yourself walking away with $20 and $50 notes.

When shopping at supermarkets look at the lower and top shelves. These brands pay less for shelf space and usually pass on the savings to the end consumer – you.
Go in the evening to shop for meats and in-store baked breads. Supermarkets normally start marking down meat and bread later in the day to have a quick sell.
Research before you buy, even for everyday items. For beer or fuel go online to find the best price in the area. Use the RACV website to check out LPG prices. For beer or wine check out www.boozle.com.au. You can save up to 25% on a slab of beer. Allison (VIC)
Go to bakeries or muffin shops which bake fresh each day, at the end of the day. Many of them offer huge discounts to get rid of stock so they can start afresh the next day.

Go for cheaper alternative takeaway. A whole roast chicken at your local chicken shop or supermarket is more economical and maybe healthier than one of the fast food chicken outlets. Rather than taking out Italian or Indian from your local restaurant, buy fresh ready-made Indian curries or Italian sauce mixes at the delicatessen or supermarket fresh food cold section. Many roast chicken and fish and chips stores sell burgers that are larger portioned and healthier than the usual burger fast food outlets. Your local pizza shop often sells cheaper, fresher and healthier versions, than pizza chain stores. Instead of buying at sandwich sub, buy a garlic or French stick at your local bakery or supermarket and complete the fillings yourself.