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Budgeting hacks & apps If you’re like most Australians, there hasn’t been a whole lot of cash accumulating in your savings account recently.
These socks say it all really. If you have a dog-loving person in your life, their birthday pressie is sorted for this year.
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At the peak of COVID, the average household was saving a whopping 24 per cent of earnings. That figure has fallen off a cliff, plummeting to a dire 1 per cent at the end of 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The moral of the story? It’s easy to save money when you can’t go anywhere or do anything. Here’s some ideas to cut costs without living the life of a hermit.
Entertainment, health and eating out
HAVEN WIN
Crack the codes: When you hit the checkout of any online site, quickly Google the business name and “discount code” or “coupon”. You’ll be surprised how often you turn up a small saving – from $20 off escape rooms to discounted entry to tourist attractions. Popular sites to find discounts, cashback and code offers include Groupon, cashrewards, Cudo and OzBargain. Get fit for free: Ditch the gym membership and design your own fitness plan from a surprising array of free classes run by not-for-profits and councils. A few ideas to get you started: With 70 per cent of Aussie homes housing a pet under their roof, here is a comp for the pet people. It’s common knowledge that many pet owners resemble their furry or feathered friend. So, we’re on the hunt for a photo of a pet and their person, who share an uncanny resemblance. For scientific comparison, the photo should be of the two of you together.
• Parkrun is another great free activity to keep you moving and motivated. It’s a volunteer-led 5km run held at 7am every Saturday at nearly 500 locations around Australia. There are also 2km runs for kids at 8am Sundays.
Include: your name, address, email, phone number and the name of your mortgage broker.
Dine out on their dime: Most chain cafes have loyalty apps that offer great freebies and discounts for sign-ups if you don’t mind handing over your details.
Dates: opens on February 7 and closes on March 21.
Go on a council-funded adventure: Your rates pay for more than rubbish and footpaths, so make the most of it. Free activities (including equipment) provided by councils around Australia during the summer break include stand-up paddleboarding, kayak tours, fishing lessons, skateboarding and scooter classes, indoor and outdoor rock climbing and art classes. It’s particularly helpful to keep kids entertained on school holidays.
Terms and conditions: visit http://bit.ly/HavenWin
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• If you prefer to make a splash, many councils offer free or low-cost aquaaerobics and deep-water running classes at local pools. (Some councils also fund land-based fitness and wellbeing classes such as tai chi and Zumba.)
How: email a photo of you and your pet together to havencompetitions@afgonline.com.au placing ‘Pet lookalike’ in the subject line.
Winner: will be decided on March 22 and notified by telephone after this time.
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• Live Life Get Active partners with local councils and businesses from Perth to Penrith to offer free weekly cross training, yoga and boxing sessions in local parks. Check out their website for times and locations.
