HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

Take control of your finances in 3 simple steps

Take control of your finances in 3 simple steps

Five questions that will save you thousands

Five questions that will save you thousands

How save money when you’re a renter

How save money when you’re a renter

3 ways to pay off your home loan faster

3 ways to pay off your home loan faster

{headline}

{headline}

The perfect setting for your air con

The perfect setting for your air con

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

{headline}

{headline}

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

Retreat to nature: Eden Health Retreat in Currumbin Valley, Queensland

Eden Health Retreat in Queensland

How to sell on Gumtree

How to sell on Gumtree

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

7 simple ways to save money

Keep these handy hints in mind every day to save thousands of dollars every year - by Diana Moore
  • 26 Apr 2018

They say that from little things, big things grow and never was this truer than when saving money.

Whether you’re saving for your first home, have taken the plunge and are now literally paying the price, or are simply looking for lasting ways to save money, small changes to the way you let money pass through your hands every day can reap enormous financial rewards in the long run.

1. Change bank accounts

Take advantage of lower interest rates on your mortgage and higher interest on your savings. Look at deals on offer from both big and small financial institutions to get the best account with benefits to serve your needs.

2. Declutter and sell things off

We can all benefit from a good declutter and when you do, look to selling your unwanted items at a local market, hold a garage sale or list them on platforms such as Ebay or Gumtree. More sensible than merely taking up space in your cupboards, they should be funding your dreams.

3. Do it yourself

Make gifts instead of buying them. A knitted scarf or tote bag made from upcycled clothing fabric, a batch of homemade nougat or brownies is so much more appreciated than a hastily purchased gift. Make your own cards and use the Japanese furoshiki method of gift wrapping to save even more on wrapping paper. Plan ahead to allow yourself plenty of time to create. 

4. Eat homemade meals

Cooking is faster than you think. In the time it takes for home delivery to arrive, you can have a healthy meal on the table – it’s that simple. A little preparation at the start of each week to choose recipes and plan your grocery list of ingredients will save you thousands of dollars each year in takeaway dinners, lunches and wasted food.

Do a quick tally of how much everyone in your household spends on daily lunches and take a good look at how much money you could save each year by packing a lunch instead of buying it. Research has shown that it could be more than $1000 per person, per year! Make up interesting salad dressings, include nutritious, roasted vegetables or allow extra portions of weeknight meals for hearty leftovers and tasty, healthy sandwich fillings that you can work your way through day-by-day.

7 simple ways to save money | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

Delicious baked gnocchi Sorrentina (click for the recipe)

Mutti Parma

5. Stop and wait before you buy

Adopt a rule where you must wait a month before you make a purchase – no matter how significant an outlay is required. If it’s absolutely necessary the item can wait, however often you’ll find you can do without it. Curb your online spending by unsubscribing to from retail traps to avoid temptation. Without the instant gratification so-called ‘retail therapy’ brings, your bank account will prosper and you’ll find other ways to relax your mind. 

6. Stay home

Rather than always rushing from here to there, invite friends over to spend time together. Rotate to one another’s place to share the cooking and cleaning load if that’s an issue and simply share a big batch of soup or learn to make your own cocktails at home. Watch movies or box sets together, do something creative or start a book club.

7. Do less

Slow down. A busy life calls for emergency purchases as you struggle to keep up with work, friends, kids and all life's commitments. Doing less will give you more time to complete tasks yourself over time with care, rather than rushing and spending your hard-earned cash at the last minute to meet deadlines.

Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

Take control of your finances in 3 simple steps

Take control of your finances in 3 simple steps

Five questions that will save you thousands

Five questions that will save you thousands

How save money when you’re a renter

How save money when you’re a renter

3 ways to pay off your home loan faster

3 ways to pay off your home loan faster

{headline}

{headline}

The perfect setting for your air con

The perfect setting for your air con

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

A Hamptons-inspired family home on Sydney's lower North Shore

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

8 small things that can take your home from blah to beautiful

{headline}

{headline}

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

Two-Fold Tango Whiskey cocktail recipe

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

7 best indoor plants for your bathroom

Retreat to nature: Eden Health Retreat in Currumbin Valley, Queensland

Eden Health Retreat in Queensland

How to sell on Gumtree

How to sell on Gumtree

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Take a peek inside our cosy June issue

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

Eight great gift ideas for Mother's Day

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug