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How You Can Save Money When Eating Out

  Eating out can cost a lot of money and most people do not know how to save money when eating out. Here is how you can save money when eating out.

Know The Days And Times They Have Specials

If you have a favourite restaurant or enjoy getting fast food for take away know what days and times they have their specials on. For instance here in Australia I know that Kfc and Pizza hut have specials only available on a Tuesday at reduced prices.

Use The Vouchers

Most fast food outlets except mcdonalds will have vouchers that come out from time to time. Mcdonalds seem to have theirs on an app and only have one voucher available. If they have a large fries for $1 you need to give the code for the voucher and you are only allowed to get one. A way around this is to have five accounts on their app and just keep signing in to redeem although you will need to go into the restaurant to do this.

Kfc have their secret hack or colonels offers menus both which have some great deals and that are only available on the app.

Chicken Treat have an email which comes out called he flock and make sure you take a photo of it as my local store won’t let me use the vouchers unless I have the email.

Know What You Can Get From Where And For What Price

When getting fast food for our family of five I sometimes go to three places to get the best deals. Hungry jacks have a voucher for two small whopper meals for $13.95 but if you get the two whoppers on another voucher for $8.95 and get a small chips and frozen coke each at the moment  it comes to $12.95.

I also will write a list of meals that the family want and can usually go through all the apps and figure out which way it is better for us to buy things as most places have their prices listed.

Have Take Away For Lunch

Most fast food outlets like chicken treat, kfc, red rooster and pizza hut will all have deals just for lunch time. Most of the time they are for $5 and include a drink with the meal. Just by changing the time you eat fast food you can save a lot of money

If you are smart you can save considerable money on your take away each week. Just make sure you use the tips above to help you do it.

Restaurants and Cafes

Sometimes I would go to dome and want eggs on toast and their price would be say $12 well  if you look at the menu to buy the items separately would be say $10 so you save money. Have a look at menus and see what you can do to save money.

The post How You Can Save Money When Eating Out appeared first on YourBudgetQueen.

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How You Can Save Money When Eating Out

How You Can Save Money When Eating Out

  Eating out can cost a lot of money and most people do not know how to save money when eating out. Here is how you can save money when eating out.

Know The Days And Times They Have Specials

If you have a favourite restaurant or enjoy getting fast food for take away know what days and times they have their specials on. For instance here in Australia I know that Kfc and Pizza hut have specials…

[yourbudgetqueen]

Budgeting On An Irregular Income

  So you get a different income each month as you either work casual or  you are self employed. Here is how budgeting on an irregular income will help you.

Do Your Budget

Go back to your lowest month that you have had over the past year and work from that figure. If you get more than that it is a bonus so make sure you put it away in your bank account.

Create A List Of Your Expenses

Make sure you do a complete list so everything that you spend including the coffee on the way to work to buying dinner at night. This will tell you how much you are spending on a weekly basis.

Always Prioritise Your Expense

Always make sure that the necessary things are paid for and then  you can get the lesser important things next. Sorry folks your daily cup of coffee is one of the last things you should worry about.

Create A Budget Spreadsheet

Do a budget spreadsheet which shows exactly how much money you have at all times. A perfect example of this is the one found here

Know the Dates Of Your Payments

To do this simply have a list on your budget or you could just pay all of your bills fortnightly like I do so I never get any nasty surprises.

Go Over Your Budget Each Month

Always go over your budget each month and see if you are on track. If you are lucky enough that you have spent less in on area then allocate it to another area where you are falling short. If you have money at the left of the year then you will start next year with flying colours.

Use Credit Cards Wisely

If you have a credit card use them wisely. We only have them for the points and they are paid off fortnightly in our house. I have never had a bill for my credit card that we could not pay as we know exactly what we are spending.

Have A Month or Two Which Is No Spend

A no spend month will help you a lot and get you to use things up. We all tend to over buy and this is a great way to save a little extra cash and declutter your house at the same time.

What To Do If You Have A Good Month

If you have a good month you can spoil yourself a little with say 20% of your excess funds but put anything else away as you never know when you are going to need it.

You Must Do It Consistently

Make sure you stick to everything that you have laid out for yourself. It is very easy to blow the budget if you are not careful.

Join Rewards Programs

Join as many rewards programs as you can as not only will you save money but you can use them all at a particular time of year. I love using mine around Christmas each year as I save hundreds  due to all of the vouchers that I get.

Don’t forget that budgeting on an irregular income requires how work and discipline above all.

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Budgeting On An Irregular Income

Budgeting On An Irregular Income

  So you get a different income each month as you either work casual or  you are self employed. Here is how budgeting on an irregular income will help you.

Do Your Budget

Go back to your lowest month that you have had over the past year and work from that figure. If you get more than that it is a bonus so make sure you put it away in your bank account.

Create A List Of Your Expenses

Make sure you…

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20 Food Hacks That Will Help You Save

Here are some food hacks that will help you save a lot in the kitchen. Try these food hacks that will help you save and see what you think.

1. Keep avocados green

Put half a cut onion in your avocado to stop it going green. The onion prevents it from going brown.

2. Get a juicer or a pair of tongs.

Having a juicer or a pair of tongs will help you get every last drop out of citrus fruits.

3. Stop cheese going mouldy

If you wrap cheese in waxed paper before putting it back in the packaging it will stop ammonia and bacteria forming which causes the cheese to get mouldy.

4. Don’t waste near empty mayo bottles.

Simply add oil, vinegar and a few herbs and put in jar. Shake up and you will have a little more mayonaise.

5. Freezing things

If you put plastic under the food in the bowl you can freeze it like that and when you want it simply take off the plastic and put in the bowl and it will fit perfectly.

6. Freeze liquids

If you don’t freeze every liquid you can at least freeze stock, lemon juice etc into a ice cube tray so when you need it just pop out the cubes that you need.

 7. Extra flavour

If you use herbs and they are about to go bad simply chop them up add a little butter and freeze and then add to eggs, popcorn or anything else you would like.

8. Keep lettuce crisp

To keep lettuce crisp simply was lettuce and then wrap in paper towel. When it is damp make sure you change it as it will keep all the moisture out of the lettuce that makes it go bad.

9. Make croutons

If you have stale bread just make some croutons with it.

10. Onions and garlic

Keep onions and garlic in stockings that are knee high to keep them fresh.

11. Be a good egg

Check your eggs by putting in a glass of water. If the egg sinks you may use it.

12. Apples and Potatoes

Store apple and potatoes together and your potatoes will not sprout at all.

13. Brown Sugar

Put a slice of bread in with the sugar and it will make it moist again.

14. Bananas

Make sure you wrap the stems of the bananas in alfoil so that way they will not go brown.

15. Celery

Make sure you trim the top leaves to keep the celery fresher.

16. Store these in Water

if you store spring onions, asparagus and herbs stem down in the water you will stop them spoiling so quick.

17. Nutella Jars

Simply pour a bit of milk into the jar and then put the lid on and shake. You then have a lovely hazelnut hot chocolate to drink.

18. Strawberries

Make a mix of 6:1 with water to vinegar and pour over the strawberries. It will not affect the taste but will stop them going mouldy so soon.

19. Ripening Fruit

Simply store in a brown paper bag and you will ripen it a lot faster.

20. Icecream

Put a sheet of wax paper between the icecream and the lid and it will stop it getting freezer burn.

These are the food hacks that will help you save hundreds of dollars in your kitchen over the year.

The post 20 Food Hacks That Will Help You Save appeared first on YourBudgetQueen.

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20 Food Hacks That Will Help You Save

20 Food Hacks That Will Help You Save

Here are some food hacks that will help you save a lot in the kitchen. Try these food hacks that will help you save and see what you think.

1. Keep avocados green

Put half a cut onion in your avocado to stop it going green. The onion prevents it from going brown.

2. Get a juicer or a pair of tongs.

Having a juicer or a pair of tongs will help you get every last drop out of citrus fruits.

3.…

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Top 10 Apps That Help You Make and Save Money

With all of the apps out there how do you know which ones are the best to help you make and save money. Well we have done all of the research for you below and these are the top 10 apps that will help you make and save money.

 1. Raiz

Raiz is an app where you can round up your purchase and it will put the money into the app for you and you get to decide on how you will invest the money. If a purchase is $3.10 it will round it up to $4  so  you never notice the difference being saved.

2. Flybuys

Believe it or not you can actually make about $600 a year by just doing $100 a week shopping at coles. Make sure you check the app every week on a monday morning and press the activate button on  your coupons at least 4 hours before you shop or they won’t be activated in time. I had $200 and I only started using the app properly in october 2019 so I am thinking this year it will be at least $600-800 I will make just by using the app.

3. Fast Food Apps

So all the apps like Kfc, hungry jacks, mcdonalds etc they all have ways of you saving money. The trick is to know what your family want and see how you can use the apps to your advantage. I even have the vouchers from frugal  feeds setup on my phone so I can always have a good deal.

4. Job Apps

Here are a few job apps that will help you make money. Upwork, fiver and airtasker is where you freelance doing tasks and get paid for it you just have to apply.  Snooper, Smartspotter and field agent will have a list of tasks anyone can do and they take seconds to do and can create  you a nice little income.

5. Cashback Apps

Apps like cashrewards and shopback will help you save money on products and put cashback in your pocket as well. You may not be able to access the cash for a few months until it is verified but it can build up very quickly.

6. Whatsmine

Whatsmine is an app where you can put in what you are searching for and it will give you a list of places that have savings which you can just click on and have a look.

7. Uber, Didi and Other Rideshare

These are great apps for saving on a taxi fare and you can also see where the driver is in real time. If you lose anything in their car you can  give the company the name and they will try and sort it for you.

8. Stocard

Stocard will allow you to take most of your discount cards out of y our wallet and just use the app to get your points. They have most of the major brands cards on there.

9. Lightinthebox and Aliexpress

Both lightinthebox and aliexpress will allow you to save a small fortune on things you will need. Just be aware that it will take a few weeks for your products to arrive so make sure you don’t need them sooner

10. Splitwise

Splitwise will let you split a bill and have your friends pay their share of the bill.

Using the above apps you should be able to make and save an extra few thousand dollars every year so why not give it a try as they are the top 10 apps that will help you make and save money

The post Top 10 Apps That Help You Make and Save Money appeared first on YourBudgetQueen.

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Top 10 Apps That Help You Make and Save Money

Top 10 Apps That Help You Make and Save Money

With all of the apps out there how do you know which ones are the best to help you make and save money. Well we have done all of the research for you below and these are the top 10 apps that will help you make and save money.

 1. Raiz

Raiz is an app where you can round up your purchase and it will put the money into the app for you and you get to decide on how you will invest the money. If a…

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How To Save On Airfare

If you are looking to save on airfare these points below might just help you save a little more off your airfare.

1. Always compare flights in incognito mode.

Always compare flights in incognito mode as sites like expedia and kayak put up the prices everytime you search for those flights.

2. If your schedule is flexible, play around with different flight dates and times until you find the cheapest option.

Play around with date and time differences and see what happens. You are likely to find a good deal by just changing it slightly.

3. Use a service like Priceline to compare flights for you.

Priceline will let you put in where you want to go, the price and the flight and then will do all of the work for you.

4. Set alerts with services like Skyscanner and Next Vacay so you know ASAP when flight costs go down.

A good  service for flight monitoring is Next Vacay. It’s super simple to use: All you have to do is input your local airport, and Next Vacay will send you daily emails alerting you to flight deals at that airport and other airports nearby.

Set alarms on Skyscanner to places where you need or want to visit in the near future. It lets you know when prices go down, so you can take advantage of great deals and save money on flights. It also lets you know when prices go up, so I can either catch them before they increase any further or put that trip on the back-burner for now.”

5. Keep an eye out for last-minute deals—on Twitter.

Follow @secretflying on Twitter to get some of the best airfare deals. They had Boston to New Zealand for $249

6. Cheat the system with “hidden city” tickets.

Use skiplagged to get some discounted flights. These are usually in round the world fares but don’t appear as flights so they are hidden. Skiplagged will help you get to see them.

If using this method don’t check in bags as they will continue to the next stop without you. Also don’t u se your frequent fliers either as airlines look down on this.

7. Consider flying out of an airport that’s slightly farther away.

Sometimes travelling by car to a different airport will save you thousands on your ticket prices.

8. If you don’t want to miss out on a good flight deal, but you’re not completely sure about your plans, take advantage of 24-hour cancellation policies.

Sites like expedia will allow you to book and give you 24 hours to make a cancellation. If you see something better in that time  you can change it.

9. Find a credit card with good points you can put toward travel.

Try using American Express or the qantas card to get travel points. These cards usually give back the most points.

10. Play travel roulette: Let good deals decide where you go.

Use the travelpirates app to find good deals on travel and you will find some really good deals throughout the year.

These are just a few tips that will help you with getting a good deal on a flight.  Try them and see if they work for you.

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How To Save On Airfare

How To Save On Airfare

If you are looking to save on airfare these points below might just help you save a little more off your airfare.

1. Always compare flights in incognito mode.

Always compare flights in incognito mode as sites like expedia and kayak put up the prices everytime you search for those flights.

2. If your schedule is flexible, play around with different flight dates and times until you find the cheapest…

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Students – How to Save on a Night Out

  Research has shown that students spend an average of $100 on a night out that is after you include alcohol, entry, taxis and a meal before  you go home. If you want to save on a night out read below.

1.  Have pre-drinks

If you are going out drinking always make sure that you start at home. It is a lot cheaper than paying for your drinks and this way you will not drink as fast when you do get there.

2.  Stock up on carbs in advance

If you are guilty of getting that late meal make sure that you eat carbs for dinner and plenty of them to soak up all of that alcohol that you will drink. It will be a lot cheaper for you

3.  Or have them ready for your return

If you can’t face a night out without the carbs make sure you have some ready for when you get home. It takes minutes to prepare but you will thank yourself later for it.

4.  Hit the club early

Most clubs will have reduced entry fees before 11pm so it does make sense to get there early.

5.  Act like a celeb

If you really don’t like to get there too early try and get on their guest list. Go to their facebook page and contact them saying that you want to bring a group of people and can you please have a vip pass. Chances are they will as they are interested in the money.

6.  Set a party budget

You will need to set yourself a budget for the night out. Take a notebook and pen with you and write down even just a stroke for a drink. Once you have had so many drinks then it is time to hit the road. Another great way to save on a night out.

7.  Remember – rounds waste dollars!

It is nice to be able to buy rounds but as we all know how often do these work out fairly and that is because people will change their drinks etc. Whilst it is nice to be nice sometimes you are better off not being nice at all.

8.  Ditch the credit cards

Have you ever seen your credit card balance and gone oh crap I spent too much? It can be easily done so leave them at home.

9.  Use free ATMs

Make sure that you have enough cash or are able to go to a free atm as the ones at the clubs will charge you a fee for using theirs. I prefer free myself.

10. Party off-peak

Try to party earlier in the week when there are less customers. There are always promotions going so they can get people in the door.

11. Split taxis (or ditch ’em)

Taxis and uber are your safest options but they are also not the cheapest either. Maybe think about getting a uber and having them split the bill as the option is now on uber. That way you only pay for your share of the bill.

12.  Look out for offers

Some pubs and clubs have promos where if you get a jug of an alcohol it is cheaper than buying the glasses. It is also cheaper to buy beer on tap than in a bottle as well. Make sure you check out the places  you are going to and see what they offer before you go.

13. Alternate drinks with water

For every alcohol drink you have make sure you have one of water as well. Not only will it fill you up quicker and make less room for alcohol but also it will less the dreaded hangover the next morning.

14. Make friends with bar staff

Make sure that you make friends with the staff. If you are nice to them they may just give you a freebie.

15.  Have a house party

If you can’t afford to go out don’t worry just have the party at home. You can decide on the music and the drinks and the atmosphere and still all have a great time.

16.  Stay at home

This will save you $100 plus each time you do this

  The post Students – How to Save on a Night Out appeared first on YourBudgetQueen.

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Students - How to Save on a Night Out

Students – How to Save on a Night Out

  Research has shown that students spend an average of $100 on a night out that is after you include alcohol, entry, taxis and a meal before  you go home. If you want to save on a night out read below.

1.  Have pre-drinks

If you are going out drinking always make sure that you start at home. It is a lot cheaper than paying for your drinks and this way you will not drink as fast when you do get…

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Over 50 Ways To Save on Having a Baby

Having  a baby can be a real budget breaker if you do not budget correctly. Here are some tips on how you can save on having a baby. Feel free to let us know if you have any more.

Buy secondhand gear and clothes.

Second hand shops have a lot of baby stuff including strollers, clothes and even beds for babies. Get as much as you can as  you will save a bundle.

Borrow a bassinet (or skip it altogether).

Most bassinets can only be used until baby starts rolling over, so try to find one that you can borrow for those few weeks.

Hold off.

If you don’t know what products your baby will like with  dummies and nappies etc hold off until you know what they like.

Limit the tests.

Dont got buying a lot of pregnancy tests. Keep three on hand only to confirm if you are pregnant.

Go easy on the starter diapers.

Start with one box of nappies and even then don’t buy too many as you don’t know which size will be needed until you have given birth.

Breastfeed as long as possible.

If you can breastfeed do it as long as possible. It is better for baby and for your pocket.

Pump.

Get yourself a pump for when you can’t be there to save buying formula as it will definitely help you on save on having a baby. .

Formula feeding? Ask for samples.

Usually when you leave hospital you will get given a few free samples and if you don’t just ask they will give you some.

Buy a convertible crib.

A crib that converts into a toddler bed will definitely save you some cash over the years.

Get mum (or aunt, or MIL…) to babysit.

Get free childcare from family plus they will love spending time with your little one.

Buy in bulk.

You know you’ll need lots of some things (like diapers and formula). If you have the storage space, stock up to save cash.

Make your own baby food.

When baby starts eating solids put a few vegies in the blender and add a little water and freeze. This is one of the top ways to save on having a baby.

Forget the comforter.

The baby won’t need a comforter for a lot of time so just use a small blanket.

Get crafty.

Make some stuff for baby and save yourself a lot of money.

Forget the fancy toys.

Babies don’t realise the value in toys and would rather play with a box than a toy anyway. This will help you save on having a baby in the first year.

Go without a changing table.

We used to put baby down the clean nappy under the dirty one and slide the dirty one off and baby straight into the clean one. We also used to do it on the lounge.

Cook.

Cook at home and save yourself a small fortune.

Search for sales.

Look for sales on the products that you need but if you can look for them a month or two in advance. This will save you a lot of money.

Check out freecycle.org.

This non-profit site is full of parents giving away their gently used baby gear and clothes. (You can sometimes find free or cheap items on sites like craigslist.orgtoo.)

Like with furniture, items such as a car seat or stroller that grow with baby can prove invaluable.

Don’t buy lots of shoes.

Before baby is walking you don’t need shoes just use socks as they will still keep their feet warm.

Take care of your own physical and mental health.

Keeping yourself healthy will mean you can take care of baby longer

Buy generic and less expensive brands.

Does baby’s label really make a difference? He’ll only be in that onesie for a few months, so resist the urge to splurge. Another great way to save on having a baby

Baby proof.

Prepping your home to prevent accidents can help you save on medical costs (not to mention stress)!

Get a belly band.

This awesome invention (a stretchy band you wear around your waist) will keep you in your pre-pregnancy pants much longer, saving money on maternity clothes.

Wait on the maternity clothes until you really need them.

Ignore the urge to buy maternity clothes just because you’re excited about being pregnant. Also you don’t need to go to maternity shops to get them. Just go to kmart, target or big w and save on those clothes.

Borrow maternity clothes.

You only wear them for a few weeks — find a friend who’s willing to pass hers along. This would be one of the biggest ways to save on having a baby.

Save baby’s clothes for future siblings.

If you don’t plan on more babies, donate the duds to help someone else save!

Try working from home.

Lots of mums are able to balance part-time work with caring for baby — this way you don’t lose money to childcare AND you bring in some extra earnings.

Get good insurance BEFORE you conceive.

Make sure you know your provider’s policies before getting pregnant, and be absolutely sure that you’re covered — there are laws against considering pregnancy a “pre-existing condition,” but the law contains several loopholes that could hinder your prenatal coverage, particularly if you are switching from one individual plan to another or from a group health plan to an individual plan.

Lose weight before getting pregnant.

Obesity increases medical expenses (and risks of complications).

Consider cloth nappies.

But you’ll need to do the laundry yourself in order to really save. Nappy-cleaning services add up too.

Find cheap community classes.

While some baby classes have hefty price tags, many hospitals offer great classes for free.

Donate your toys and old gear!

Not only does this help other people save (or get a toy they would have never had), those donation receipts come in handy around tax time!

Carry stain pens in the diaper bag.

If you can treat those baby stains right away, you’ll wind up throwing out far fewer items.

Buy washable nursing pads.

Okay, so the disposable ones aren’t so expensive, but you’ll still save a little. Wearing nursing pads cost me $20 a month over a year that is $240 you will save by buying your own.

Make a budget and keep track!

If you’re aware of your spending, you’ll be more likely to cut corners.

Buy things that last.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised how often you find yourself buying things that are poorly made or disposable. Invest in sturdy stuff that can be handed down from generation to generation (or at least from baby to baby).

Shop the clearance rack.

Always shop at the end of summer or winter – July and January are best as they get rid of last seasons clothes. You will save a fortune.

Get a piggy bank.

Really. Toss in your loose change every day, slide in a dollar (or five) now and then, and you just might find yourself with a vacation fund in the near future.

Before you buy it, be sure you NEED IT.

Lots of first-time parents complain about winding up with tons of unused gear and goods.

Don’t get emotional.

Okay, so this is easier said than done when those pregnancy hormones are running wild, but try not to shop when you’re feeling super sentimental. (The excitement can easily lead to over-shopping for baby.)

Negotiate.

If buying from shops where you can haggle with price buy as much as you can so you can get the price down a little.

Hold out for the showers.

Remember that if someone throws you a baby shower, you’ll likely wind up with lots of outfits, toys, and maybe even gear. The point? Don’t stock up ahead of time. You or your partner can always hit the stores afterward to grab anything else you need.

Remember who you’re shopping for.

Make sure to buy toys baby likes

Buy the best nappies.

The store brand nappies may be less expensive, but you’ll likely save money in the long run by avoiding the cleanups and thrown out clothes that result from cheap nappy mishaps. Trust us.

Twins don’t always mean doubles.

Having two-in-one? Resist the urge to buy two of everything — the little ones can share most items.

Skip the baby tub.

Baby grows quickly, and the laundry sink makes a pretty nice tub in those beginning months.

Ask for advice!

Hindsight is 20/20. Ask other mums which financial corners they wish they had cut.

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Over 50 Ways To Save on Having a Baby

Over 50 Ways To Save on Having a Baby

Having  a baby can be a real budget breaker if you do not budget correctly. Here are some tips on how you can save on having a baby. Feel free to let us know if you have any more.

Buy secondhand gear and clothes.

Second hand shops have a lot of baby stuff including strollers, clothes and even beds for babies. Get as much as you can as  you will save a bundle.

Borrow a bassinet (or skip it…

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Saving on centrelink

Centrelink is the governments way of helping students whilst they study or whilst you are looking for work. With a few ideas such as below you can start saving on centrelink.

This money is incredibly useful, but after expenses like rent, bills, transport, and textbooks, the prospect of putting some money into savings each fortnight can seem terrifying. But with a little guidance and a lot of willpower, saving on a Centrelink income doesn’t have to be impossible.

  Get to know your spending habits

You will need a budget to know what you spend. Go to https://www.yourbudgetqueen.com/downloads and download the budget from there. You can enter everything in that you spend and it will tell you how much you need.

Knowing where your money disappears to is an easy way manage your day-to-day spending to ensure you have money left for the important stuff, and it’s also a great way to recognise the bad spending habits you can start to work on.

Set a savings goal

Have an account with your savings goal name. All you need to do is open an account at your bank and change the name on your app so you can see how much you have saved.

Start small

When you start saving start by saving small amounts and slowly increase it if you can afford to do it. If you try and put too much in you will not have money for other needs and will get deflated if you touch that account.

Plan your meals in advance

You will need to do a menu plan and then only get what is on your shopping list from the shop. If you don’t menu plan you will spend too much and won’t be able to save.

Rethink your travel expenses

Petrol costs a stupid amount of money and, to make it worse, the price of parking at most universities and in most cities is criminal.

If you’re in the position to switch your private, comfortable, four-wheel daily commute to public transport a few days a week – especially on concession fares – you’ll find it easier to keep costs down and your bank balance will reap the savings rewards.

Budget for social occasions

Make sure you know what you have coming up. If you have a few nights out planned make sure that you can afford them. Skip the coffee or buying lunch if you have to to be able to do it. You will need to have fun as part of uni as it is a big part of it.

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Saving on centrelink

Centrelink is the governments way of helping students whilst they study or whilst you are looking for work. With a few ideas such as below you can start saving on centrelink.

This money is incredibly useful, but after expenses like rent, bills, transport, and textbooks, the prospect of putting some money into savings each fortnight can seem terrifying. But with a little guidance and a lot of…

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How to Save On Kids Parties

1. Time It Right

Have your parties between 2 and 5 pm or between 10am and 12pm as these are the best times to have a party. You do not need to provide a meal and only a few snacks. Make sure you let guests know.

2. Extend Your Lead Time

If you are wanting to get bargains for your party start shopping a few months before and when things go on sale you can grab them at a discounted price.

3. Scrap The Paper

E invites will allow you to not have to write paper invites and also save on the cost of that as well.

4. Keep Your Guest List Small

Only invite your child’s closest friends so you can keep the party small. That way it is not a big cost.

5. Save When They’re Small

When the kids are young you can have their younger year parties at the park or maybe even try getting family to come out for a meal where they pay for themselves. This way

6. Pair Up

Having a party with another child might make it  worth your while. You each pay for half the costs except for the cakes. Just see which of your friends have a child with a birthday around your time.

7. Food For Thought

Try things such as fairy bread and homemade sausage rolls for food. They are simple to make and kids love them. You could also try doing fruit on skewers with a marshmallow between each one.

8. Avoid ‘Party’ Stores

Party shops are the ones that will make you spend, spend and spend. They have a lot of items of all sorts and it is hard to not get carried away in their stores. I would suggest purchasing online as it is easier to stop impulse buys.

  9. Buy Small Items In Sets

The lolly bag is on its way out as parents are looking for new ways to thank children for coming to their parties. Think of colouring books, a small toy set which can be divided etc.

  10. Do Your Own Favours

If you don’t want to buy them get the kids to make them as part of the party. Simply supply all of the materials they will need and help. For a princess theme help them make a tiara with sprinkles and everything.

  11. Entertainers Network

Entertainment can be costly for  a party. Think of people that you know that have a special skill. You might have a friend who owns a jumping castle, another friend who is a face painter and who are willing to help you out for the day.

  12. Make A Party Playtime

There are so many games that kids can play at parties but some of the best are also the cheapest. Think about games like keep-up-the-balloon, hot potato, charades, musical chairs, red rover, freeze dance, egg racing, duck-duck-goose, simon says and the three-legged race. Lots of fun for a very small budget!

  13. Get Imagination Working For You

If you don’t want to do too many organised games and you aren’t interested in entertainment, there are other options. Our favourite one is to use our kids’ imagination to our benefit. Kids are super imaginative, so create a game they can play themselves that uses their own creative minds. We’ve seen parents create treasure hunts using marbles or stones spray painted with gold and silver paint that has entertained kids for hours!

  14. Get Fun For Nothing 

For parents trying to entertain a large group of kids it can be tempting to buy something new in order to keep the occupied. The money smart way of getting over this problem is to check out your local toy library for toys that you can borrow for the party. Many toy libraries have outside toys like soft ramps, slides and even mini trampolines available for borrowing.

  15. Almost Homemade Cake

Simply get a cake mix from the shop or even better make your own mix and then make the cake. It does not take long to do. Then just buy some decorations for your cake top it and you have a rather cheap cake instead of a $50 cake.

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