Australians could save almost $5000 a year without giving up life’s little luxuries, with a series of simple swaps helping households keep their favourite treats while spending less.
With cost-of-living pressures continuing to bite and the latest interest rate rise putting further strain on household budgets, many Australians are looking for ways to make their money go further while not cutting out the things than make life enjoyable.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Simple swaps to save $5000 a year
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
Canstar Data Insights director Sally Tindall told Sunrise on Friday there are several ways to turn expensive habits into more affordable alternatives.
Health and fitness savings
One of the biggest savings comes from rethinking how we exercise.
Canstar research shows Australians spend an average of $77 a month on gym memberships, adding up to $924 a year.
But Tindall said there are plenty of free alternatives, including Parkrun and online fitness classes.
For those who enjoy a regular message to ease sore muscles, Tindall suggested investing in a foam roller instead.
A $9 foam roller from Kmart could replace a $100 monthly massage, saving $1166 a year.
“This is my absolute favourite thing. It’s called a pocket physio. You can lie on it or put it against a wall,” she said.
Small self-care swaps add up
Keeping up with personal grooming can also take a sizeable chunk out of the household budget.
Regular salon manicures can cost about $70, adding up to about $840 a year if done monthly.
Tindall suggested switching to reusable press-on nails, with a $30 set that can be reused up to five times potentially saving $664 annually.
“They’re really advanced. You can get some fancy ones,” she said.
She also suggested men consider investing in their own hair clippers to take care of simple trims at home.
Save on the everyday essentials
Food is another area where small changes can deliver significant savings.
Tindall recommended making bread at home, suggesting a bread maker costing about $122 could save $633 a year for households making two sourdough loaves each week.
For fans of sparking water, a SodaStream can deliver great savings.
Tindall calculated that replacing one bottle of store-bought soda water each day with a homemade alternative could save $922 a year.
When all swaps are added together, the potential savings reach almost $5000 in the first year.
