Contents<\/p>
- 36 Tips for Living Frugally in Australia (2026)<\/a>
- 1. Make a financial plan<\/a><\/li>
- 2. Switch your supermarket shop.<\/a><\/li>
- 3. Join Your Supermarket’s Loyalty Program<\/a><\/li>
- 4. Check Out The Weekly Sales And Discounts<\/a><\/li>
- 5. Switch to home brands<\/a><\/li>
- 6. Grow Your Own Herbs And Vegetables<\/a><\/li>
- 7. Switch Out Meat And Fish For Plant-based Alternatives<\/a><\/li>
- 8. Plan Your Meals<\/a><\/li>
- 9. Opt For Less Pre-made<\/a><\/li>
- 10. Prepare A List<\/a><\/li>
- 11. Cooking At Home<\/a><\/li>
- 12. Make It A Night In<\/a><\/li>
- 13. Buy Reusable Items<\/a><\/li>
- 14. Choose The Cheapest Petrol Station<\/a><\/li>
- 15. Walk, Bike, Or Catch Public Transport<\/a><\/li>
- 16. Carpool Instead Of Driving Solo<\/a><\/li>
- 17. Shop Around for Utilities<\/a><\/li>
- 18. Wash Your Clothes On A Cold Wash<\/a><\/li>
- 19. Hanging Your Clothes Out To Dry<\/a><\/li>
- 20. Learn basic sewing skills<\/a><\/li>
- 21. Build Up A New Skill<\/a><\/li>
- 22. Buy A Cheaper Brand<\/a><\/li>
- 23. Browse Second-hand Op Shops<\/a><\/li>
- 24. Be open To hand-me-downs<\/a><\/li>
- 25. Second-hand Is Also A Great Option<\/a><\/li>
- 26. Good Deals Can Be Found In Second-hand Bookshops<\/a><\/li>
- 27. Try Out Different Products For Free<\/a><\/li>
- 28. Hold Out For Seasonal Sales<\/a><\/li>
- 29. Buy Out Of Season<\/a><\/li>
- 30. Get Free Gift Cards Filling Out Online Surveys<\/a><\/li>
- 31. Work Out At Home For Free<\/a><\/li>
- 32. Try Online Workout Programs<\/a><\/li>
- 33. Track Your Spending<\/a><\/li>
- 34. Use Cashback Sites<\/a><\/li>
- 35. Holiday on a shoestring<\/a><\/li>
- 36. Maximise birthday freebies<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) \u2013 Frugal Living in Australia<\/a>
- How can I be frugal in Australia?<\/a><\/li>
- How can I reduce my cost of living in Australia?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
1. Make a financial plan<\/span><\/h3>\n
One great way to stay motivated when you are trying to live frugally is by setting a big-money goal. Maybe it’s a house deposit, early retirement, family holiday to Hawaii, or a motorbike.<\/p>\n
Whatever it is, make it big. To get there, you’ll need a financial plan.<\/p>\n
I’m not advocating paying a financial advisor, although you totally could do that. I believe you should start by reading ‘The Barefoot Investor’ by Scott Pape<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n
You should be able to get it at the library, but you might have to wait on hold for a while.<\/p>\n
It is a very easy to read, step-by-step guide to managing your money in Australia. The book has changed many lives and can give a really clear structure to your financial planning, for a fraction of the cost of a professional.<\/p>\n
Tip<\/strong>: Get a free 30 day trial of Kindle Unlimited<\/a><\/strong> and you can download and read the book for free (if you don’t have a Kindle, you can use the Kindle app. This is what I use on my iPad).<\/p>\n
2. Switch your supermarket shop.<\/span><\/h3>\n
Supermarkets<\/a> like Aldi typically offer cheaper brands and lower prices than Coles or Woolworths.<\/p>\n
Even if you don\u2019t fully make the switch, start off your shop in an Aldi, IGA or another local discount store to get at least some of your grocery shop cheaper, and then get those particular items from Coles, Woolworths, or other pricier stores.<\/p>\n
3. Join Your Supermarket’s Loyalty Program<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/everyday-rewards.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGet hooked up to your favourite supermarket\u2019s loyalty program.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s Flybuys<\/a> with Coles or Everyday Rewards<\/a> with Woolworths, you can earn points and receive discounts on a whole range of things.<\/p>\n
4. Check Out The Weekly Sales And Discounts<\/span><\/h3>\n
Check out the weekly sales and discounts at supermarkets before you hit the shops. You can see the weekly pamphlets online, or you can get a hold of them in-store.<\/p>\n
Make the most of the weekly specials, especially for higher-priced items.<\/p>\n
5. Switch to home brands<\/span><\/h3>\n
If you\u2019re trying to cut back on your living costs, switching to home brands or cheaper brands can be a really easy way to save money.<\/p>\n
6. Grow Your Own Herbs And Vegetables<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/plants-indoor-garden.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIf you\u2019ve got a bit of space for a garden or even a balcony garden, spending a little to get started with growing some of your own herbs and vegetables can pay off, especially for pricier herbs and produce.<\/p>\n
7. Switch Out Meat And Fish For Plant-based Alternatives<\/span><\/h3>\n
Switch out meat and fish for plant-based alternatives, even if just for a few days every week.<\/p>\n
Animal-based products are more expensive than simple plant-based alternatives like fresh produce, canned or dried vegetables and beans, or tofu.<\/p>\n
8. Plan Your Meals<\/span><\/h3>\n
Plan your meals to include cheaper pantry ingredients wherever possible. This could mean more vegetables, beans, and grains, with items like rice, pasta, potatoes, and beans making more of an appearance on your dinner table.<\/p>\n
Check out our meal planning tips here<\/a><\/p>\n
9. Opt For Less Pre-made<\/span><\/h3>\n
Opt for less pre-made, instant, or highly processed ingredients or meals, as these items are sometimes a bit pricier too.<\/p>\n
10. Prepare A List<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/woman-with-tablet-checking-shopping-car.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPrepare a list of 7 or 10 easy-to-make and affordable meal recipes so that you always have something to quickly whip up without blowing your budget.<\/p>\n
11. Cooking At Home<\/span><\/h3>\n
Cooking at home more often, instead of eating out or getting food delivered, can quickly add up to more savings!<\/p>\n
12. Make It A Night In<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/happy-friends-home-fun-party.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSimilarly, make it a night in instead of a night out with friends!<\/p>\n
Order your drinks online beforehand, as comparing and buying online means you can get the best deals, compared to your local bottle shop.<\/p>\n
You could even learn to make your favourite cocktail!<\/p>\n
13. Buy Reusable Items<\/span><\/h3>\n
Buy reusable items rather than disposable items whenever possible to save money in the long run.<\/p>\n
Modern reusable options exist for sanitary products, makeup and toiletry cotton rounds, earbuds\/swabs, razors, nappies, baby cleaning wipes, dishcloths, grocery bags, and more.<\/p>\n
Search online to see if there is a reusable option for items that you know you use a lot, and you can soon be making savings.<\/p>\n
14. Choose The Cheapest Petrol Station<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/the-burrow-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCompare petrol stations and plan for the best day to fill up your car.<\/p>\n
Petrol cycles<\/a> vary across Australia and can vary throughout the year (except for Perth, where Tuesday is the cheapest day).<\/p>\n
Get to know your local petrol station to see what day is cheapest, or use the Simples<\/a> website or app to compare petrol stations in your local area at any given time.<\/p>\n
Related: BP Rewards Guide: Make Your Petrol Spend Work Harder<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
15. Walk, Bike, Or Catch Public Transport<\/span><\/h3>\n
Walk, bike, or catch public transport instead of driving. This saves you money, is good for the environment and can be good for your health as well.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/02\/frugal-living-australia-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n16. Carpool Instead Of Driving Solo<\/span><\/h3>\n
Carpool instead of driving solo. Could you and a few friends take turns doing the school run or carpool to your local bus stop or train station for the rest of your daily commute?<\/p>\n
17. Shop Around for Utilities<\/span><\/h3>\n
For home, car, health, life, pet, or travel insurance, income protection, electricity and gas utilities, home loans, and credit cards, use a comparison website to ensure you are getting the best deal.<\/p>\n
Use a website like Compare Broadband for home internet to get the best deal possible for your family\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
18. Wash Your Clothes On A Cold Wash<\/span><\/h3>\n
When it comes to keeping your utility bills down, one of the easiest things to do (that\u2019s also great for your clothes!) is to wash your clothes on a cold wash.<\/p>\n
19. Hanging Your Clothes Out To Dry<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/hangs-washed-clothes.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAlso, hanging your clothes out to dry, whether outside or inside, instead of using a dryer, will save you money and help your clothes last longer.<\/p>\n
20. Learn basic sewing skills<\/span><\/h3>\n
When a button comes loose on your clothes, or they get a little tear or rip, don\u2019t just throw them out. Search online to learn how to extend the life of your clothes and save yourself the cost of replacement items.<\/p>\n
21. Build Up A New Skill<\/span><\/h3>\n
If there\u2019s an odd job or project around your home that you want to get done, consider doing it yourself or with some friends.<\/p>\n
Learn how by watching YouTube videos or searching online for instructions, and build up a new skill you can be proud of in the process!<\/p>\n
Some areas even have tool libraries<\/a> that you can borrow from instead of having to buy tools.<\/p>\n
22. Buy A Cheaper Brand<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/sale-tag-mobile-open-laptop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nDon\u2019t get caught up with branded gadgets.<\/p>\n
Whenever possible, buy a cheaper brand for your laptop, phone, or other tech gadgets. This can save you hundreds or even thousands!<\/p>\n
23. Browse Second-hand Op Shops<\/span><\/h3>\n
The temptation to spend on clothing and accessories can be hard to deal with.<\/p>\n
But just because you\u2019re spending less doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t have new-to-you things.<\/p>\n
Browse second-hand op shops like the Salvos or Vinnies, garage sales, online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, or Gumtree, or apps like Depop or Vinted, for some fantastic pre-loved finds.<\/p>\n
24. Be open To hand-me-downs<\/span><\/h3>\n
If you want to avoid spending on clothing and accessories altogether, let friends and family know that you are open to hand-me-downs, particularly if you have kids.<\/p>\n
25. Second-hand Is Also A Great Option<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/packing-up-things-garage-sale.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSecond-hand is also an excellent option for kid\u2019s toys, home furnishings, and garden items.<\/p>\n
Check out Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace.<\/p>\n
26. Good Deals Can Be Found In Second-hand Bookshops<\/span><\/h3>\n
If you\u2019re a book lover, or if you have kids who need books, don\u2019t panic!<\/p>\n
Good deals (including on school textbooks) can be found in second-hand bookshops and online marketplaces like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or AbeBooks.<\/p>\n
Plus, your local libraries (online and in-person) are a fantastic resource for borrowing books.<\/p>\n
27. Try Out Different Products For Free<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/KMM-Free-Samples.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWho doesn\u2019t love a freebie? Free samples<\/a> can let you try out a new product or new brand without any payment.<\/p>\n
This is helpful when you want to test a brand before buying, plus is a great way to try out different products for free!<\/p>\n
28. Hold Out For Seasonal Sales<\/span><\/h3>\n
Hold out for seasonal sales. Boxing Day sales, end-of-financial-year sales, plus mid-season sales, are pretty standard now.<\/p>\n
So, if you can, wait to buy until your items come on sale.<\/p>\n
29. Buy Out Of Season<\/span><\/h3>\n
Buy out of season. If you know you and your family are going to need some new winter clothing next season, buy winter items when they\u2019re on sale over the summer.<\/p>\n
30. Get Free Gift Cards Filling Out Online Surveys<\/span><\/h3>\n
Did you know that you can get free gift cards<\/a> by filling out online surveys, scanning your purchases into an app, or even switching your search engine?<\/p>\n
It’s true.<\/p>\n
Plenty of Australians earn gift cards and cash taking surveys each year, often enough to pay for Christmas presents.<\/p>\n
Taking surveys is worth checking out if you could do with some extra money.<\/p>\n
We rounded up the best paid surveys in Australia<\/a> for those of you looking to earn a little extra money from home. <\/p>\n
31. Work Out At Home For Free<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/young-ordinary-man-workout-alone-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nUse your local neighbourhood, parks, and walking trails, and\/or work out at home for free or with just a few initial costs for some affordable home gym equipment instead of paying for an expensive gym membership.<\/p>\n
32. Try Online Workout Programs<\/span><\/h3>\n
Or, online workout programs or coaching can sometimes be cheaper than regular gym memberships or face-to-face coaching.<\/p>\n
33. Track Your Spending<\/span><\/h3>\n
Of course, one of the most important things to do is to track your spending to stay on budget.<\/p>\n
Your banking app might already let you categorise your spending to do this, or you can download a spending or budget-tracking app.<\/p>\n
34. Use Cashback Sites<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/AMM-Post-Images-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nUse cashback sites<\/a> for your purchases. Cashback websites give you some of your money back on your purchase from an online retailer that you accessed via a web link on the cashback site.<\/p>\n
We recommend starting with Cashrewards <\/a>and Shopback.<\/a><\/p>\n
35. Holiday on a shoestring<\/span><\/h3>\n
Living simply and cheaply doesn\u2019t mean that you shouldn\u2019t have some fun!<\/p>\n
Find cheap holiday deals at Last Minute<\/a> or Expedia<\/a>, affordable accommodation at Airbnb<\/a>, or opt to go on a cheap and cheerful camping holiday in either a rented campervan, caravan, or tent.<\/p>\n
36. Maximise birthday freebies<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/02\/AMM-Post-Images-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWith the right planning, you could have a fantastic day full of free food, coffee and more by getting familiar with all the birthday freebies offered by various retailers across Australia.<\/p>\n
Check out this monster list of freebies that businesses give away when it\u2019s your birthday<\/a>!<\/p>\n
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) \u2013 Frugal Living in Australia<\/span><\/h2>\n
How can I be frugal in Australia?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Whilst Australia has a high cost of living, it’s not impossible to be frugal in Australia. Strategies like shopping second-hand, house-hacking, meal planning and being careful when grocery shopping can make a huge difference to your living costs.<\/p>\n
How can I reduce my cost of living in Australia?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Try to focus on your big three expenses – house, transport and groceries. Saving on these expenses will make a huge difference to your cost of living.<\/p>\n
Examples include restructuring your mortgage if you own to renting a smaller property if you rent.<\/p>\n
Driving less often and replacing short trips with walking or cycling can slash your transport costs. Meal planning, shopping the specials and maximising points from loyalty programs can go a long way to reducing your grocery bill.<\/p>\n
![\"Frugal](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/04\/36-Frugal-Living-Tips-Australia-Live-Well-for-Cheap.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Frugal](\"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2024\/04\/36-Frugal-Living-Tips-Australia-Live-Well-for-Cheap-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Whether you\u2019re paying off debt, saving for an emergency fund, a home deposit or your next big overseas trip, or have found yourself in some financial stress, living frugally can make a big difference to your family’s finances. These frugal living tips will help you learn how to live simply and cheaply. 36 Tips for … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2442","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-money-management"],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":2451,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/02\/frugal-living-australia-300x188.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2442"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3828,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2442\/revisions\/3828"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2442"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2442"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mumsmoney.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2442"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- How can I reduce my cost of living in Australia?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n
- 2. Switch your supermarket shop.<\/a><\/li>
- 1. Make a financial plan<\/a><\/li>