Cost of Living in Australia: 20 Small Wins You Can Do This Fortnight
When prices go up across the board, there's no single fix. But small wins add up, and most of them take less than an hour. Here are 20 you can do this fortnight. Pick three and start.
Bills
- Compare your energy plan. Use the government's Energy Made Easy website (or Victorian Energy Compare in Victoria) to check whether a cheaper plan is available.
- Call your insurer before renewal. Ask about discounts, or get two quotes elsewhere and ask them to match.
- Check your phone plan. Many people pay for more data than they use.
- Check for concessions. State governments offer energy and other concessions for eligible households.
- Line up bills with paydays. See our guide to fortnightly pay and monthly bills.
Groceries
- Find your real grocery number from bank statements, then trim 10%. Our grocery budget guide shows how.
- Meal plan for the fortnight.
- Compare unit prices on shelf labels.
- Swap two meat dinners for legume or veggie meals.
- Have a "use it up" night before each shop.
Subscriptions and spending
- Audit subscriptions. Search your bank statement for recurring charges and cancel what you don't use.
- Rotate streaming services instead of paying for all at once.
- Delete saved cards from shopping apps to slow impulse buys.
- Add BNPL instalments to your budget so they're visible.
- Set a daily spending number: what's left after bills and savings, divided by 14.
Transport
- Use a fuel price app and fill up on the cheaper days in your area.
- Check tyre pressure monthly to help fuel economy.
- Plan your car's yearly costs as a sinking fund. See our rego cost guide.
Bigger picture
- Start a small buffer. Even a few hundred dollars stops small surprises going on credit.
- Get free help if you need it. The National Debt Helpline (1800 007 007) offers free financial counselling, and the government's Moneysmart website has free tools.
Track the wins
Write down what each change saves per fortnight. Seeing $15 here and $30 there turn into hundreds a year is what keeps you going. The Fortnightly Budget Dashboard and the Meal Plan & Grocery Budget app make this easy, and the free fortnightly budget printable is a good start.
General information only, not financial advice.
Apps for this
Fortnightly Budget Dashboard (A$29, one-off): Make every fortnightly pay cover the bills, with a clear number left to spend.
Meal Plan & Grocery Budget (A$19, one-off): Cut the grocery bill with a fortnightly meal plan and a list that sticks.
FAQ
What's the quickest way to save on bills in Australia?
Comparing your energy plan and auditing subscriptions are two of the fastest.
Where can I get free financial help in Australia?
The National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 and the Moneysmart website are free.
How do I know if I can get concessions?
Check your state government's concessions website for eligibility.