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Release the streamers and pop that champagne, because if you live in NSW, Victoria or South East Queensland – you’re all winners in the unpredictable lotto that is electricity prices.

The regulators this week confirmed price drops of up to 8 per cent from 1 July, which for a typical household, translates into savings of up to $160 over the next year.

If you live in South Australia? No bubbles for you, just higher electricity prices.

But here’s the thing. These price drops are applied to the ‘default market offers’, which are over-priced plans that act as a safety net for customers who don’t switch or can’t switch.

If you’re on one of these plans, even if you’re one of the lucky ones getting a price cut, put that bottle of Yellow Tail sparkling back in the fridge and see if you can do better.

Our research shows if a typical household in Melbourne switched from the default to the lowest priced plan on our database, over the next year they could potentially save almost $400.

In Adelaide, where prices are going up by 1.4 per cent, switching off that rubbish default rate, down to the lowest, could potentially save almost $600 in the next year.

Make that happen and it could be time to upgrade to a bottle of Moet (or just pocket the savings).

Internet providers are lifting prices on budget NBN plans, leaving many Aussies paying more each month. Find out whether your plan could be affected.

One Canstar expert did and the strategy was surprisingly simple. Here’s what they changed to bring their premium down.

I love a good credit card perk, but I was recently reminded the hard way they don’t always work on autopilot. My credit card comes with an annual travel voucher and, a couple of weeks ago, I booked some flights and happily checked out, assuming my perk would automatically come into play. Safe to say, when I opened my statement and saw the full amount charged to my card, my eyes watered. Turns out, for the perk to work, I needed to book through a specific platform and choose eligible flights and select the voucher at checkout. Because I’d breezed through the booking without checking, I missed out! While credit card rewards can be fantastic, don't make my mistake. Always check and double-check how to redeem your perks so you don’t accidentally wave bon voyage to hundreds of dollars!

Brooke Cooper
Finance Editor

Canstar’s Innovation Awards this year uncovered some pearlers including Westpac’s SafeBlock, which is essentially a panic button in your banking app. Once activated, a single tap can freeze your accounts instantly – except it’s a smart lock, not a total blackout. Your bills and deposits keep moving, and you can reverse it the second you find your card wedged in the back seat of the car. If you don’t bank with Westpac, don’t panic, but instead have a chat to your bank about the best ways to protect yourself from a scam capable of draining your bank account dry.

Want a new gadget without the brutal price tag? Shopping refurbished could be the answer. Retail giants Amazon and Kogan both offer massive discounts on phones, laptops, and appliances, with strict listing standards to ensure you don’t buy a dud. The savings can be significant. I found a refurbished iPhone 16 from Amazon Renewed for $959 – saving $290 compared to buying new from Apple. Yes, it’s second-hand, but with Amazon’s no-faults guarantee, that’s a good deal. Before you add to cart though, check out the warranty on your item. While Amazon Renewed has a 12-month warranty, Kogan’s coverage depends entirely on the individual marketplace seller. Always read the terms before checking out! 

Will ice-cream sales become the next recession indicator? The ‘lipstick-effect’, which dates back to the Great Depression, is where people, when facing an economic downturn, forgo big-ticket luxuries in favour of small, affordable indulgences. My budget-conscious friend Jess last week baulked at a one litre tub of Connoisseur Pistachio Gelato at Coles for $13, but did it anyway. The verdict? She said it was worth every-single-scoop. For the kids, put that fancy tub away, because the 2026 Canstar winner will serve them well. At 85 cents per cone, Aldi’s Monarch Crowns are nothing short of a time-machine miracle.