Blog Post

1. Round up for the wrap-up
   
   As we can all attest, Christmas and the festive season can be expensive. Maybe you can consider rounding up your purchases to the nearest dollar? (Banks such as ING, Up and others offer this service). You can roll those round-ups into a Christmas Club/Festive Fun savings account and take the sting out of the 2021 festive season.

2. Dry January?

Alcohol can be expensive and after the festive season, we could probably all do with a bit of a breather. Maybe you could try a dry January or February (or maybe Dry July) and skip the beverages for the month. Take the money you would have spent and invest that into your savings to kick-start the year.   

If alcohol isn’t for you, pick another recurring expense you could cut back on. Maybe it’s coffee, coke, an energy drink, a bliss ball, blended juice or lunch out each day. Whatever it is, see if you can take a break for a few weeks.

You’ll be surprised by how much money you can save and the sense of achievement when you reach your resistance goal is a great perk too.

3. Stop paying late fees 

A bill comes in, you see the due date and pop that to the back of your mind for later. The days roll over quickly and before you know it, the bill is overdue and you’re hit with a late fee.

Late fees are dead money and your hard-earned dollars deserve a better future. But there’s good news. Using the Sniip app, you can schedule your bill payments as soon as they drop into your mailbox and set and forget, knowing that your bills are sorted. The results speak for themselves as 90% of all the bills ever paid using the Sniip app have been paid before the due date!

4. Consider a side ‘hustle’

Are you always baking for your friends? Do you love sewing, mending or perhaps woodwork? Or, are you a secret maths whiz who could offer some tutoring on the side? 

Think about what you love doing in your downtime and how that hobby might be able to make you some spare change. The reality is, earning $500 a month equates to $6,000 a year, which will get you a pretty nice holiday!

5. Ask for a better rate 

Do you have a home loan at a rate over 3%? With most residential mortgage rates now starting with ‘2’ at the front of them, you may be able to ask your bank for a better rate or shop around for a better deal.

Ensure you do the research and arm yourself with information. Explore what’s available on the market, tell your bank what competitors are offering and what it will take for you to stay.

Note: Make sure the loan is over the same period as your current loan and doesn’t extend your repayment period another 5/10 years or you might end up paying more interest overall than at your current rate. 

1. Buy an experience 

You’re pressed for time and the person you’re buying for likely has enough stuff in their home already. Why not buy them an experience instead? Shop last minute from the comfort of your own couch with little more than a bank card and a printer (or just email the gift certificate to them instead). Sorted!

There’s a plethora of options online like RedBalloon for the adventure junkie or subscriptions like Magshop or Book a Buy for the avid reader. You can get even get creative and organise your recipient a home cleaner/ ironing done for a week or two/ a facial/ a massage or home delivery meals (try HelloFresh 0r Soulara) too. 

2. Make a donation in their name 

Charities have done it tough this year and could do with all the support they can get. How about making a donation to a cause or charity that aligns with your recipient’s values. You can easily make a donation to one of the registered charities in the Sniip app too, simply open the app, tap the menu and select ‘support a charity’. 

3. Stock up on their favourites 

Your local supermarket might seem like the last place to go to buy presents, but if you’re time poor (and on the way to the party), it can be beyond helpful. 

Does your friend/ family member love a particular chocolate/ kombucha/ ice-cream or even fruit? Why not stock up their favourite supplies or put together a quick hamper. Simply grab a mixing bowl, pop your items in the bowl then cover with an over bag and you’re done. There’s some great ideas of what you could fill your gift basket with, here. No-one is going to begrudge a gift of a few blocks of their favourite supermarket chocolate/ treat. 

4. Same day and same evening delivery 

There’s a selection of online retailers who offer expedited delivery for Christmas day. You get what you pay for and if you need speedy delivery, it will cost you but sometimes it’s worth the money to remove the stress you’re feeling for gifts not being sorted. It’s been a whirlwind of a year and December kind of snuck up on all of us.

If there’s a specific item you need/want to buy, check out sites offering same day/ evening delivery like The Iconic, Target and Myer (click + collect), The Hamper Emporium/ Hamptons Hampers.

5. Regift, regift, regift 

Who says regifting has to be saved for next Christmas? By this point we’ve probably all been part of some form of Secret Santa/ present swap situation. Why not take the gift you received and gift it onto someone else? 

Or, maybe you’ve got some almost expired gift cards collecting dust in your wallet from Christmas 2019 or birthday/ celebrations been and gone. Save yourself some pennies and use those gifted gift cards to purchase your gift this year. That’s some savvy regifting! 

We’ve just made it past Black Friday and Cyber Monday! But before our bank accounts can catch up, Boxing Day is here and we’re bombarded with more deep discounts. 

As overwhelming as it can seem, if we’re strategic in our purchases now, this can be a really financially beneficial period. By buying what you already need/will need to purchase in the not-so-distant future, you can be prepared before the rush and reduce expenses for the coming year. 

INSIDER TIP: Keep the tabs open on your web browser and refresh them come Boxing Day. That way, you’ll see what discounts are available on the exact items you’re already looking for, rather than get overwhelmed by offers for stuff you don’t need. 

1. Christmas decorations, cards and bon bons 

You know when the best time is to shop for Christmas paraphernalia? The day after Christmas. If you’ve got the storage space at home, the days and weeks that follow the festive season are the best time to pick yourself up a bargain on all things Christmas. Let’s be honest, those Christmas crackers can be $$$!!! 

2. Calendars and diaries

Are you still a stickler for the paper diaries and calendars? Now’s your time to shine! As we edge closer to the New Year, these calendars start being massively discounted. There’s some great digital options on the market too that you can print at home to save yourself some money. 

3. Valentines Day gifts 

Golly, that’s organised we hear you say. Well, the reality is Valentine’s Day is just 51 days after Christmas and it will be here before you know it. If you’re looking to get your loved one a present that doesn’t weigh too heavily on the purse strings, you’ll likely be able to pick up a good discount in the Boxing Day/New Year sales. From perfume, magazine subscriptions to unique experiences, if you have the capacity, now’s the time to buy to avoid the price hikes in February. 

4. Gym membership and subscriptions 

Now, no-one is saying you should follow the New Years Resolution crowd and get a gym membership subscription that you may not really use. However, if you currently have a gym membership that you could be happier with, or are looking to get your foot back in the door, now might be the time to shop around and see if you can get a better deal. 

5. Birthday presents 

Similar to Valentines Day presents, why not create a list of everyone you need to buy for in the coming year and see if you can’t nab a deal on the gift you’d like to buy them. 

Maybe you could pick up a few gender neutral presents too for those moments when there’s a birthday we forgot about (we’ve all been there) – sorted! 

6. Tech and homegoods 

From kettles to laptops, a new washing machine or a couch, you can pretty much guarantee you’re going to be able to find yourself a saving on technology and home goods post-Christmas.  

If you wouldn’t have purchased at full price, it’s probably not essential. But if your family has outgrown your 8kg washing machine or the kids need new tech for school, it’s not a bad idea to keep an eye out for a discount on what your family already needs. 

7. Wardrobe staples  

Take an inventory of your wardrobe and see if there’s any key pieces you’re really on the hunt for. Do you need a new suit for work? A simple A-line skirt or some cotton/linen dresses to see you through the scorching summer ahead, you won’t have to look far to find retailers with unreal deals this season. 

Hot tip #1: Take your personal measurements whether you’re shopping online or in person. Having your measurements when shopping in-store can assist in avoiding crowded change room situations. 

Hot tip #2: On that note, check the returns policy on the store you’re shopping at. Sometimes super sales come with a ‘no returns’ policy. It pays to check the returns policy before purchasing. 

8. Travel

We’ve all been living in our quarantine bubbles and travel has been a no-go zone. You can bet your bottom dollar there’s going to be some enticing travel deals in the suite of sales emails landing in your inbox. 

If you’re overdue for a holiday (we hear you), now might be the perfect time to book a discounted trip interstate or abroad (hopefully soon). 

9. New car 

Look, it’s not going to be on everyone’s boxing day list, but if you’re in the market already – it’s a good time to look. The adage of out with the old and in with the new sees dealerships offering some pretty attractive deals to move older (new car) stock. 

10. New house?

This is a big ticket item, but hear us out. December can be a really slow period for real estate and agents often pull houses for the market/sellers are too time poor with Christmas to prepare their homes for a new listing. 

In January, there’s a glut of new homes that hit the market which can often make real estate more affordable. 

If you’re on the hunt for a new house, you’re bound to find fresh inventory and you might find those houses that sat in the months prior listed for a more appealing price in the New Year. Who knows? Worth keeping an eye out.

Looking for a Christmas holiday that won’t break the bank or, have a little more in the kitty to spend this year?

Whether your ideal holidays looks like the beach or the bush, there’s something for everyone in this roundup.

Plus, while you’re on holiday, why not consider putting your own house/ room or granny flat on Airbnb to save yourself a little extra on the trip.

Three steps to listing your home for short-term rentals:

(1) Take a few snaps of your home

(2) Add your listing price and minimum stay

(3) Welcome your first guest (yes to savings!).

Queensland

Treehouse in the Rainforest

La Boheme, Whitsundays

Rainforest cottage, Cooloolabin

New South Wales

Warramba, Glen Alice

The Enchanted Cave, Bilpin

Victoria

Eco Bush Retreat, Victoria

Western Australia

Heritage home in heart of city, Perth

Private & peaceful, Bandy Creek

South Australia

Camel Beach House, Venus Bay

The Sky House, Middle River

Northern Territory

Squeakywindmill Boutique Tent B&B, White Gums

Off the Beaten Track, Hale

Tasmania

Luxury by the bay, Falmouth

1. Eco Recycled PET Bananas Shopping Bag

2. Pastel travel mug

3. 12 Days of Christmas book

4. Glasshouse candle

5. Gingerbread men socks

6. The Body Shop scrub, body butter and loofah set

7. Super Mario Lego Set

8. Coleman Cooler

9. Natio Hand Wash and Hand Cream Set

10. Double wall glass set

11. 2021 Planner

12. Rat-a-rat Cat Card Game

13. Coleman Travel Thermos

14. Bath caddy

15. Skip Bo

The mercury is soaring and we see you reaching for that aircon remote.

Here’s your friendly reminder that every extra degree of cooling is adding a greater cost to your energy bill. 

What’s the recommended reading? Set your thermostat between 22 to 24 degrees celsius and ensure your aircon filter is clean. Use your aircon sparingly and if you can, run it to cool your house when you get home, or your bedroom before you go to sleep rather than blasting it 24/7.

According to a recent article by news.com.au, approximately 13% of Australians have already asked for, or were planning to ask for an extension on their energy bill. 

If you’re looking to reduce the cost of your next energy bill, here’s some fast facts from the Department of Energy to save you in other areas of your home.

• Turning off, or ridding yourself of a second fridge could save you around $172 a year  
• Switching off the game console when not in use could save you up to $193 a year (this goes for all appliances you’re not using) 
• Using the clothesline once a week instead of using the dryer could save around $79 a year
• Installing a water-efficient 4-star showerhead could save around $315 a year on water bills (you’ll also save on your energy bill as less water will need to be heated)
• Shop around for the best deal from energy suppliers, don’t assume you’re automatically on the best plan.