Weekly tips & deals to lighten the strain on your wallet

The controversial pitch at the MCG Boxing Day Test certainly proved to be costly for Cricket Australia, but it turns out that was chicken feed compared to the estimated $87 billion we’ll end up whacking on credit this silly season. Much of the pre-Christmas shopping could already be attracting interest charges, so if you have a festive balance owing, make a plan to pay off your bill, in full, as quickly as possible.

One starter? Sell, sell, sell–your Christmas presents that is. Yes, this lacks sentimentality but what’s better–crippling debt attracting an average interest rate of 18.67 per cent or a golf putting simulator? Plenty of department stores have extended change-of-mind returns for Christmas gifts to the end of January. Or, for those not game to ask their in-laws for the receipt, consider discreetly popping it on Facebook Marketplace–you’ll be surprised what you can get for items labelled new in the box (yes, even the golf thing).

Finally, the latest ABS data shows inflation is now moving back in the right direction for the first time in five months. While this takes some of the urgency out of an RBA hike in February, there’s still time for the data to do a reverse swing back towards a hike. Now is the time to prepare before higher rates bowl your budget over.

Got a wallet win or burning question? Send it to me this week at sally@canstar.com.au

The middle aisle just got a serious upgrade. You can now get Aldi’s legendary Special Buys delivered straight to your door with DoorDash.

Here’s how to hack the 2026 calendar to turn 20 annual leave days into 45 days of holidays.

Passport prices on the rise

The Australian Passport Office issued over 2.3 million passports in the last financial year, however, these documents don’t come cheap. As of January 1, a standard 10-year adult passport is now $422, cementing its status as one of the world’s most expensive. While it's pretty hard to duck this cost, get organised well ahead of your trip (the passport office recommends at least 6 weeks) because a fast-tracked application is going to sting to the tune of an additional $308 for a 2-day turnaround, as Canstar CEO Mark Gracey knows all too well (although if you’re urgently travelling for compassionate reasons you may get this waived).

Are password managers a smart hack or a hackers goldmine?

Thinking about some new year life admin? Password managers are an attractive hack to avoid turning yourself into a walking, talking password encyclopedia, however, their centralised nature makes them prime targets for hackers. The Australian Signals Directorate (our cyber security agency) recommends choosing a reputable provider that uses robust encryption and mandatory multi-factor authentication. The security starts with you. Create a master passphrase using random words and commit it to memory. Only access your vault on trusted devices and consider keeping high-stakes accounts, like banking, separate because some banks might not cover you for cyber theft if you’ve kept your password in a password manager.

Boxing Day bargains get better with age but not if they break the budget

Boxing Day sales are different to usual marketing events because the balance of power is in our favour. The shops need you to help them clear old stock—and that’s when you’ll often see the biggest discounts, particularly in the new year when stores are more desperate to get rid of stock. However, a discount isn’t a saving if it blows your budget. Before you check out, ask: “Do I need this, and can I afford it?” Set a spending limit before you start scrolling, and check returns policies because often if something is marked “clearance”, change-of-mind returns are null and void.

Tolls, Centrelink, rates: Big 2026 changes; Aldi’s huge news 🎉; How to double your holidays this year

Sally Tindall | Canstar's Money Expert

Aldi Special Buys now available for delivery

2026 calendar hack: 20 days = 45 days off

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