Top 10 money-saving tips to get you through the holiday season

Published on

December 1, 2024

Reading time

5 minutes

Try our BEST MONEY SAVING HACK$ for union members

Living in Australia costs more every year and wages haven’t risen enough to cope with it. We don’t need to read about the cost-of-living crisis, interest rate rises, energy bills and inflation. We’re living it!

As United Workers Union members, we continue to campaign to increase award wages (read more about that here), but we still need money-saving hacks to help us right now. Here are our top 10.

Tip 1: Know where your money is going

If you want to try to save some money, first you need to know where you’re spending it. Sit down with a cuppa and look through your last few months of statements. If you haven’t tried one before, you can use a budget planner – like this one from Money Smart. Once you’ve got all the numbers in front of you, you can start to work out if you can find any opportunities for savings.

Look at what you’re paying for, work out what you really don’t need and find some quick wins.

• Do you need four streaming services a month, or could you cut down to one or two?

• Could you cut back on using food delivery apps – or even delete them – and instead put some tasty (and more affordable) premade meals in your freezer for when you’re too tired to cook?

• Replace that paid fitness class with a free one. There are some great fitness classes on YouTube, and some local councils offer free classes too.

Sometimes when you take a good look at your spending, it can be pretty easy to work out what you can do without. There can even be some hidden costs you’ve forgotten all about and don’t need anymore.

REMEMBER to always check your payslips and make sure you’re being paid for all the hours you’re working, and make sure you’re getting the correct rates, including penalties and loadings. If you’re an UWU member and need help to recover unpaid wages, get in touch with us.

Tip 2: Maximise your tax deductions

Another area you might find savings is at tax time when you look at your deductions. Do you have any work-related deductions you can claim, like clothing specific to your job (eg. chef’s pants), protective clothing (eg. steel capped work boots) or laundry expenses for eligible work clothes? Don’t forget to keep your receipts. You can also claim subscriptions to trade, business or professional associations and – of course – your union fees!

Tip 3: Buy seasonal and local where possible

Food has become a big expense, but there are some ways you can easily save money.

When you head to the supermarket, try to buy the food that is currently in season. Working out what’s in season is usually quite easy as it’s the cheapest produce. Often, it’s also discounted as they have lots of it.

If you want to go a step further, you could even join a food hub or co-op like Box Divvy or buy your fresh produce from local growers’ markets.

This way you’re buying from local growers and cutting out the middleman, so you get a better deal – and fresher fruit and veg.

Tip 4: Team up with others and buy in bulk

Often staples like tinned foods, flour, oats, seeds and nuts are cheaper when you buy in bulk. Chip in with friends and family and make the savings and goods spread further.

Also, when you have all the staples already at home, you’re more likely to cook with what you have. In the long run, buying in bulk and cooking at home will save you money.

Tip 5: Wait for sales

If you’re in the market for a new electrical or homewares item, keep an eye on sales from JB HiFi or The Good Guys. But there’s a way you’re guaranteed to pay the lowest price…if you’re a union member. It’s through a website called Union Shopper which is a not-for-profit union owned rewards program that helps you get a better deal. If you’re a member of United Workers Union (and hundreds of other unions), you can sign up at their website, or by calling 1300 368 117.

According to Union Shopper Executive Officer Andrew Tait, Union Shopper can command the best price from the marketplace because of the sheer number of union members they have on board.

“All we’re doing is using the power of the collective – all members together into one big account – and then I can negotiate with the service providers”, he says.

It means you can scour the website for thousands of the best deals, or simply call the Union Shopper Call Centre to find out what they can offer.

Tip 6: If you’re a pet-owner, get a load of these discounts

UWU members can get a 15 per cent discount at online pet store Swaggle. Let’s face it, pet owners love to shower their furry friends with toys and treats – even during a cost-of-living crisis. You’ll be able to spoil your pooch or kitty way more with these prices.

Tip 7: Get discounts on gift cards – use it for the everyday stuff

We all know that you could read all the catalogues each week, or head to the shops late in the day for the specials on meat and fish.

But what if you could get a guaranteed discount off your shop every time you shop?

With Union Shopper, you can buy gift cards at 5% – 15% off for supermarket, alcohol and hardware retailers. You can literally save money every time you buy groceries.

Tip 8: Always look for a better deal

It sounds obvious, but you should always try to pay less for the same thing. If you’ve been with your utilities, phone or internet provider for a while, you might be paying a ‘loyalty tax’. Companies often provide better deals for new customers. Try asking for a‘price match’ or lower rate, or simply vote with your feet and choose another provider that’s cheaper. This can mean looking for a better deal for utilities, the internet or streaming services. You can even talk to your bank about the best interest rate for your home loan. And if your bank won’t match the rates of competitors, consider refinancing with another lender. Some lenders will even pay a cash refinance rebate or cashback offer to move over to them. Check out comparison websites like Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website, Canstar Blue or Finder to compare a whole range of services.

UWU members can also access clean, sustainable & affordable electricity through our not-for-profit energy retailer Co-Power and get $50 off your bill if you refer a friend.

Tip 9: Reduce your energy consumption

With energy rates skyrocketing, sometimes even the simplest things can reduce our energy consumption and the cost of our bills. Try to be as efficient as possible when using heating and cooling. Only heat or cool the room you’re using and try to keep the temperature constant with blinds, curtains and even door snakes to reduce the draughts in winter. Run your big appliances like the washing machine or dishwasher at night when there are off-peak rates. Make sure they’re full and that you use cold water for the washing machine. Any appliance that has a standby mode is using power even if you’re not using it. These include the tv, printer, router and even your phone when it’s charged. Turn them off at the wall when you can.

Tip 10: Make sure you have the right level of insurance

Find out exactly what you’re getting with your insurance and change if it doesn’t suit you anymore. • Are you under or over insured for the value of your house, contents or car? • Is your health insurance the right level for your age and health? • Could you be claiming anything extra on your health insurance, like gym fees or sport shoes? Do a comparison to see if you’re getting the right deal when your insurance next expires. If you’re a low income earner, you might be eligible for cheaper insurance through Good Insurance which has simpler policies for people on lower incomes.

You can also look for better deals through Union Shopper. There is an insurance category with discounts on home, auto, life and health insurance for union members. Yet another way that being a union member leaves you with more money in your pocket! If you’d like to learn more about how being a union member can help you win better pay, head to the United Workers Union website. If you’re already a member and want a better deal on a huge range of goods and services, head to Union Shopper. If you’re struggling with debt, the National Debt Helpline is a great resource. Find practical suggestions, info on your rights and a helpline so you can talk direct to financial counsellors.