The holidays are here and it is the season when families gather and there is a lot of feasting which involves heaps of shopping.
It is important to spend wisely and start saving as before you know it Christmas and New Years’ will be over and the next school term will be here and you will need to buy stationery, uniforms, bags shoes and more for students returning or starting school.
To start saving, it’s a good idea to look at where you’re spending the most. Doing a budget and keeping a spending diary is an excellent way to get started.
The free money advice website says you need to:
Shop around:
It could be cheaper to go to a different store if you find you’re spending a lot on your groceries. You can save money on your food shopping with simple ideas like checking what you have, making a list and meal planning.
It’s also smart to avoid smaller convenience stores as these can be more expensive.
Watch out for special offers:
Special offers can be a great way to save money, but they can sometimes catch you out. Make sure you work out whether a deal is really as good as it looks and the offer will actually save you money.
It’s also smart to check the sell-by-date to ensure you really are getting a good deal. If you do find a genuine deal then it might be worth bulk buying if you’re shopping for the whole family.
Always compare prices:
If you’re making a big purchase, it’s important to compare prices. Check the prices in a few different shops and online to see where you can get the best possible deal.
Buying online will sometimes be the cheapest option but you may not be able to try before you buy. In most cases you have the right to cancel until seven working days after you receive your goods. If you are buying online, think about postage and packaging as these costs can stack up.
Comparison sites are a great way to save money on your supermarket shopping too. You can compare the price of your weekly shop across many of the big stores and see when your favourites are on offer. During this festive season spend wisely as the new prices of goods would be effective come January 1. Remember the government has removed zero VAT protection on medicines, basic food items and the first $30 of your electricity bills. This means that you will be spending more.
Prepare for it now.
