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Cost of Living Budget (Australia)
A simple budget to get on top of the cost of living: see where every dollar goes and find savings in the big bills.
Groceries, power, insurance and rent are where the real savings are. See our 25 cost of living tips.
Where the money actually goes
For most households the biggest savings are in housing, groceries, energy, insurance and transport, not small treats. A quick audit:
| Area | Five-minute check | Where to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Read your plan's rates | Energy Made Easy (or Victorian Energy Compare) |
| Insurance | Note renewal date, get 2 quotes | Insurer websites, comparison sites |
| Phone & internet | Compare usage vs plan | Provider websites |
| Groceries | Track one fortnight | Shelf unit prices |
| Subscriptions | List from bank statement | Your bank app |
Free government comparison tools are listed where available.
Example: small changes add up over a year
| Change | Example saving per fortnight | Per year (×26) |
|---|---|---|
| Cancel one unused streaming service | A$8 | A$208 |
| Two home-cooked nights instead of takeaway | A$40 | A$1,040 |
| Cheaper phone plan on the same network | A$10 | A$260 |
Example figures only, for illustration. Use your own numbers.
More ideas in our 25 cost of living tips. Free financial counselling: National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007.
General information only, not financial or tax advice.
Where can I compare energy plans?
Energy Made Easy is the government comparison site for most states; Victoria uses Victorian Energy Compare.
What's the fastest way to save on cost of living?
Start with the biggest bills: energy, insurance, phone and groceries.
Where can I get free help?
The National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 offers free financial counselling.
Related
Fortnightly Budget Spreadsheet · Slate Money HQ app · Budget Planner Bundle · Free Mini Paycheck Budget
Try it in an app
Meal Plan & Grocery Budget (A$19, one-off): Plan the week’s dinners, auto-build your shopping list, and keep the grocery spend on budget.
Fortnightly Budget Dashboard (A$29, one-off): Plan every payday: bills smoothed across fortnights, a tick-off payday planner, three-pay months and savings goals.