Limit your supermarket shops to once a week or fortnight. Most people will buy two or three items they didn’t plan on every time they hit the supermarket. (Get bread and milk from the corner store instead.) And shop alone if you can — it’s cheaper and faster if you don’t have the kids there asking for things they have seen advertised on TV.
Instead of buying new clothes, organise a clothes swap party with friends and family. You can also glean good-quality work clothes and kids’ clothes by hitting the op-shops in swankier suburbs or looking on eBay.
Fill up with petrol on Tuesdays when prices are cheaper.
Have pre-paid mobiles. It’s an easy way to keep a cap on teenagers’ mobile bills, and you won’t get landed with paying out a contract. However pre-paids have higher call rates, so get into the habit of using a landline for outgoing calls.
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Tammy May’s MyBudget company: www.mybudget.com.au
Budget planner from ninemsn Money
Savings calculator from ninemsn Money
A guide to what fruit and vegetables are in season and when: www.marketfresh.com.au
You can check fuel prices in major centres at motormouth.com.au or at www.fuelwatch.wa.gov.au if you live in WA.
