Money-saving tips from the team at Canstar

Looking for some saving inspiration? Find out what some of the staff at Canstar are doing to cut costs.

Life has become so expensive and we’re all looking for ways to save. I always like to chat with others to find out what they’re doing to cut costs – I think it can be a great source of inspiration. So I turned to the team at Canstar to get their money-saving tips including what changes they’ve made to their habits in an effort to cut costs and combat cost-of-living pressures. I thought I’d kick things off with some tips of my own. So without further ado here are money-saving tips from the team at Canstar.

Effie Zahos, Editor-at-Large

Embrace AI in the kitchen

I thought there weren’t enough ingredients at home to make a meal but it turns out the eggs, milk, mince meat, potato and onions could be made into a potato and onion frittata, a potato and meat hash or meat and potato casserole. Gotta love ChatGPT! Simply type in the ingredients you have on hand and it will come up with several recipes. There’s no excuse now to get takeaway.

Never shop after a glass of red wine

I avoid any online shopping on a Friday night, especially after a glass of red wine. I know I can justify just about any purchasing decision and after a hard week of work I pretty much convince myself by saying I deserve this. The key is to know your triggers and put fixes in place. My fix here is the 24-hour rule … I sleep on any purchasing decision. Chances are after a good night’s sleep I don’t want it as much. Sometimes I may even need 48 hours.

Download a price comparison extension 

The game-changer here is the Little Birdie extension. There are plenty of price comparison websites out there but what I like about Little Birdie is that it comes to you. So no matter what website you’re on, if you’re looking at a particular product it will let you know if you can get that item for a cheaper price somewhere else.

Michael, Senior Finance Journalist

We’ve been doing the supermarket shopping as a click and collect… no more wandering the aisles putting those unwanted extras in the trolley! We also bulk up on non-perishables when they’re on sale. You can save heaps that way in the long run.

Shopping around for cheap fuel using whatever apps and websites you can is also a good one. We’ve saved a lot this way – up to 40 cents a litre in some cases just from one suburb to the next.

I’m also a fan of using as many discount options as you can for petrol. If you spend $30 or more at Coles you can get a 4 cents a litre discount at Shell Coles Express. You can get an extra 4 cents a litre discount if you have a Linkt account even if you never use a toll road. Spend $20 in a Coles Express and you get an extra 10 cents a litre off! The savings can really add up especially if you do a good fill up (from less than a quarter tank) at the bowser and not just a quick top up.

Another thing I do to save money is use my Flybuys points to get movie tickets.

Karen, Content Producer

I’ve been making my own baked treats instead of buying from a bakery.

Nina, Editor-in-Chief

The biggest change for me is that I’m not going to reformer pilates anymore which cost $30 a class or $60 for unlimited classes a week. Instead, I am working out using an app that you just need a wall for – that costs me about $10 a month.

I’m also using the Entertainment Book more than I used to and doing more walk catch-ups with friends rather than going out.

I’ve stopped buying new clothes and have pushed out getting my hair coloured to about three times a year.

Simone, Group Manager, Marketing

I have been washing my car myself instead of taking it to the car wash.

I have also switched from having dinner with friends to breakfast. Two eggs on toast with a side of avo is way cheaper than dinner!

Here are some hints for fuel:

• You can use the My 7-Eleven app to lock in the best local fuel price for up to seven days. Also, link your Velocity card so you can get points.
• If you are an RACQ member, show your card when you fill up at Puma or Caltex so that you can save 4 cents per litre.
• You can earn rewards points when you fill up – you can get Qantas Frequent Flyer points at BP, Flybuys points at Shell Coles Express and Everyday Rewards at EG Ampol and Ampol.

→ Related: 3 ways you could save hundreds on fuel each year

Olivia, Digital Marketing Coordinator

I’ve stopped bleaching my hair and getting my nails done. I have also started buying most of my clothes and shoes second-hand.

Belinda, Group Manager, Corporate Affairs

I’ve been getting my groceries delivered at 10pm when delivery fees are only $2. I’ve also found online grocery shopping is a huge help to me because I can see the total and ask myself whether I really need to buy cleaning products or cheese this week. I think you can also see the specials easier when you shop online.

As someone with regular, ongoing prescriptions for medications, I switch to the generic brand, track my spending in case I reach the threshold during the calendar year to pay reduced prices and always ask if it’s the best price the pharmacy can do on the medication because some are able to sell it cheaper than others.

Amanda, Deputy Editor

I’ve been trying to bring my lunch into the office rather than ducking out to get salmon sandwiches from the sushi place.

I also really weigh up the costs of groceries such as meat. Pre-prepared stuff like marinated chicken skewers cost much more than DIY. I’ve also changed to a butcher and greengrocer where I can get exactly the amount of whatever I need.

Oh, and I have been working the ‘points’. I have a rewards credit card which I use to pay for most things. I pay this off in full every month. This way, I can gather rewards points that I then save up and use at the end of the year for Christmas presents etc. I also use loyalty cards wherever I shop, such as Flybuys at Coles or Everyday Rewards at Woolworths. I get the points converted into dollars off shops and also save this up until the end of the year.

Private health insurance and medical costs are just ballooning! It’s very hard to minimise costs in that regard. I have been shopping around to see who has the cheapest scripts and asking for receipts to claim on private health insurance.

And I don’t use the car much anymore (thank goodness for public transport).

Genevieve, Receptionist

I can highly recommend refrigerating your bread. It stops it from moulding and keeps it fresh for longer.

Mitch, General Manager, Research and Insights

I’ve dropped my morning commute coffee and I’m having one at home instead.

We adjust our dinners based on the price of meat each week. For example, salmon was over $40 a kilo this week so we changed to lamb at less than $20 a kilo. We’ve also embraced the freezer clean-out. It’s amazing how many things are hiding in there that you can use.

→ You may also like: The $100 grocery challenge

Amy, Product Data Analyst

When grocery shopping I try to make my decisions based on the price per litre or kilogram.

Ellie, Content Lead

I’ve switched to laundry and dishwasher ‘sheets’ rather than liquids or powders for the washing machine and dishwasher. They are cheaper and friendlier on the earth.

With meats and pricier items, I shop according to what’s on sale that week.

Another tip is to look out for sale bundles for feel-good active things (such as 10 x yoga class passes massively discounted) rather than annual memberships. Sometimes it’s about cash flow rather than total yearly savings.

And most importantly, encourage grandparents to buy nappies, wipes and formula in bulk when they visit.

Mohit, DevOps Engineer

Groceries and meals

• Create a meal plan and grocery list to avoid buying unnecessary items.
• Cook at home more often and bring homemade lunches to work.
• Buy generic/store-brand products instead of name brands.
• Use cashback or rewards apps for grocery shopping.

Transport

• Walk, bike or use public transport when feasible.
• Carpool with coworkers or friends to share commuting costs.

Utilities and energy

• Turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use.
• Install energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
• Wash dishes in the dishwasher instead of handwashing as it uses less water.

Entertainment and leisure

• Explore free or low-cost local activities like hiking or community events.
• Borrow books, movies and games from the library instead of buying them brand new.

Subscription services

• Review your subscriptions and cancel those you don’t regularly use.
• Share streaming accounts with family or friends to split costs.
• Look for free alternatives to paid services. For example, try using free workout apps.

Shopping and clothing

• Wait for sales or discounts before making non-urgent purchases.

Travel and vacations

• Use price comparison websites to find affordable options and try to use browser extensions such as Cashrewards to get cashback.
• Opt to go on holidays during off-peak travel periods when flights and accommodation are cheaper.

Health and wellness

• Prioritise preventative health measures to reduce medical expenses.
• Take advantage of employer-sponsored wellness programs such as massages or social club events at a discounted rate.

Maria, Editorial Campaigns Manager

I have started doing my grocery shopping online to prevent impulse purchases. I also always take a look at the Half Price specials and if I find pricier items like dishwashing tablets or laundry detergent at 50% off I buy them then even if I don’t need them right away.

I have been using the NSW FuelCheck app to find the cheapest petrol near me. Just the other day the difference was 16 cents a litre between the cheapest and most expensive petrol in my area. As my tank was almost empty this saved me about $7.50.

If I’m shopping online I’ll always google to see if I can find a promo or discount code. I have ended up signing up to quite a few newsletters just to get a discount on my first order. I’ll generally unsubscribe after I’ve made a purchase.

I exported all the transactions from my bank account and credit card over three months and was shocked at just how many things I was signed up for that I wasn’t really using – and just how much that added up each month! Over time, I had managed to subscribe to pretty much every streaming service. I ditched most of them and I’m trying to stick to having no more than two at a time.

→ Related: How to save money – 70 tips to cut living costs

Cover image source: Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock.com