Budget-friendly hacks that will help you save on your bills

Enjoying yourself and saving money aren’t usually said in the same sentence, but as the cost of living continues to climb, Australians are finding ways to do both.

This isn’t a guide to getting out of debt or tackling serious financial stress. Instead, it’s about the small, realistic changes that let you keep living your life, catching up with friends, going out, and actually enjoying yourself, without blowing the budget.

Dr Paul Harrison, Chair of Consumer Behaviour at Deakin University, says it’s “really important” people don’t cut out the parts of life that bring them joy altogether.

“Part of living is actually getting joy out of life,” he says.

“You can spend your whole life looking for low prices, but then you’re putting all your time and effort into that rather than actually living your life.

“It’s about finding balance. Keep the things that give you joy, but maybe find lower-priced versions of them.

“For example, if nature brings you joy, find free ways to experience it instead of always paying for activities. Or if food brings you joy, try smaller amounts or share experiences with others.”

How to have a social life without blowing your budget

Going out doesn’t have to mean spending big, it just means being a bit smarter about when, where and how you socialise.

BYO restaurants are an easy win, cutting one of the biggest costs of a night out straight away. If you’re flexible, weeknight specials can also make a big difference, with many venues offering cheaper meals and drinks to fill quieter nights.

Another shift many people are making is bringing socialising back home. Hosting dinners, drinks or themed nights with friends, and even naming the weekly event to make it solid. That can be just as fun as going out, at a fraction of the price. Taking turns cooking also spreads the cost and effort, while adding a social element you don’t get at a restaurant.

For those still keen to dine out, discount apps are becoming increasingly popular. Platforms like First Table, EatClub and TheFork offer reduced prices if you’re willing to eat early or late, while cashback apps can also take the edge off the final bill.

And while it might not appeal to everyone, shifting social plans to weekdays can significantly cut costs. From cheaper drinks to easier bookings, going out midweek is often far less expensive than the traditional Friday or Saturday night.

Beyond food and drinks, there are also plenty of free ways to stay social. Local councils, museums, universities and even community Facebook pages regularly promote free events, from outdoor movies to markets and exhibitions, offering a way to get out and about without spending much at all.

“Times like these create opportunities for people to think differently. Don’t go in with a negative mindset, think about the opportunities to do things differently and workshop it with friends and family,” Dr Harrison says.

Practical saving tips

Shopping: Always write a list

For everyday spending, Dr Harrison says the biggest savings often come down to small, consistent habits.

“They’re boring, but they work. Always do a list. And if you’re in a family or group house, work on the list together, it helps everyone stick to it,” he said.

“Think about brands. In Australia, most food is very high quality, so often a house brand will be just as good. Try cheaper versions and see what works.

“But don’t scrimp on the things that bring you joy, if there’s a jam you really like, just buy the jam.”

Bills: Speak to your providersInternet, mobile, energy, health insurance companies won’t tell you to call them every 6-12 months but if you do you can ask for a better offer. You can also get a quote from elsewhere. Companies may offer you a discount for a period of time. They want to retain your business. Set reminders in your calendar to do this annually.

You can save hundreds of dollars with a few phone calls every year but Dr Harrison says trying to do it all at once can be overwhelming.

“Do things in sequence, this week look at energy costs, next week look at subscriptions.”

“What prevents change is trying to do too many abstract things at once. ‘I’m going to save money’ isn’t useful, but ‘I’m going to cancel subscriptions I haven’t used in six months’ is concrete.”

“It can feel like a lazy tax, staying with providers because it’s easier, but at the same time, people shouldn’t be too hard on themselves. Lives are busy.”

“Experiment a little, compare, and use cooling-off periods. You don’t have to get everything perfect straight away.”

TV subscriptions: You don’t need them all

It sounds simple, but most people are paying for multiple streaming services they barely use. With each platform costing anywhere from $6 to $15 a month, the total adds up quickly.

Instead of keeping everything, rotate your subscriptions. Pick one service, watch what you want, then cancel and move on to the next. Most platforms offer free trials or discounted periods, making it easy to jump between them without paying full price year-round.

Setting calendar reminders to cancel before renewal dates can also stop money slipping away unnoticed. It’s a small change, but over a year, it can save hundreds.

People’s spending habits have had to change

“From a consumer behaviour perspective, people often make adjustments in some areas, and probably the strongest influence is the visibility of things like petrol prices. That’s something that’s in your face all the time, and it does adjust spending habits,” Dr Harrison says.

“What it might mean is that people make small changes here and there in what they buy. Essential items, for example, people can’t necessarily stop buying them, but they become more aware of pricing and do more comparison in situ rather than having a fixed sense of what they’re saving.”

“The difficulty we often have with consumer behaviour is that people say they’ve changed their behaviour, but when you observe it, it’s not across the board. They might adjust in some categories, but not others. That’s the complexity of it.”

People don’t notice their own habits

A strong example of someone not noticing their spending habits is someone who saves cents on tomato sauce but doesn’t think twice about a $26 piña colada.

“People will travel across town to save a few cents on fuel, but then go out and have a very expensive cocktail. These are the things we don’t remember about our own behaviour,” Dr Harrison explained.

“We’re actually not very good at reflecting on our own behaviour. When you ask people if they’ve changed their behaviour, they respond to the prompt itself rather than accurately reflecting on what they’ve done.

“When we measure behaviour, as opposed to what people say they’re doing, there are often quite significant differences.

“It varies across cohorts and context. Whatever is a priority for people, they will spend money on those things.

“For some, food is just fuel, so they might not care about downgrading quality. For others, comfort at home is important, so they’ll keep the heater on or use warm lighting.

“Most of our buying comes from feelings rather than a rational, concrete process. Money feels practical, but we don’t monitor spending in a very close, detailed way most of the time.”