15 ways to save money today
Here are 15 ways you can save money today through quick habit changes, structural financial adjustments, and leveraging government resources.
Immediate Quick Wins
Audit Subscriptions: Review your bank statements and cancel unused streaming services or gym memberships. Switching to annual payments or rotating services can save you hundreds yearly.
Energy Efficiency: Turn off appliances at the wall to avoid ‘vampire’ power drain, which can save up to $240/year. Use cold water for laundry and line-dry or use a clothes horse to dry clothes to save nearly $1,473/year.
Meal Prep: Bringing your own lunch instead of buying it can save approximately $3.40 per day ($2,475/year for two people).
Supermarket & Bill Hacks
Shop different: Switching to a different retailer for pantry staples can save upwards of $50–$60 per week compared to major retailers.
Unit Pricing: Check the price per unit (per 100g) on shelf labels to find the best value, regardless of packaging size.
Negotiate Bills: Call your energy, internet, and insurance providers. Mentioning a competitor's lower price often prompts a ‘retention’ discount.
Loyalty Discounts: Shopper Programs often provide a monthly 10% discount on one shop, which can significantly offset their subscription fees if used for a large monthly grocery run.
Smart Banking Tools
High-Interest Savings Accounts (HISA): Move your emergency fund to an account with a high base or bonus rate. As of early 2026, some HISAs offer rates around 5% p.a.
Automate Savings: Set up a recurring transfer on payday to a separate account you don't see daily, this ‘pay yourself first’ method reduces the temptation to spend.
Round-Up Apps: Use your bank’s app to ‘round up’ transactions to the nearest dollar, automatically moving the change into a savings bucket.
Government Rebates & Resources
Energy Made Easy: Use the federal government’s Energy Made Easy website to find the cheapest plans in your area.
Concession & Health Cards: Check your eligibility for government concession cards, which can provide significant discounts on medicines, utilities, and public transport.
Moneysmart Calculators: Utilise Moneysmart.gov.au tools to track spending and set specific savings goals.
Transport & Large Expenses
Fuel Apps: Use apps like 7-Eleven Fuel Price Lock or state-based fuel check apps to find the cheapest petrol nearby.
Refinance Your Mortgage: If you have a home loan, even a small interest rate reduction via refinancing can save you thousands of dollars annually.
If you have any questions please reach out to me paul@congdonfuzi.com.au