Contact Us

Life Balance Financial Professionals Pty Ltd
Level 2 31 Merivale Street
South Brisbane Qld 4101

Telephone (07) 3846 1644
Facsimilie (07) 3846 1655
www.life-balance.net.au

OUR TEAM

Kym Marriott
B.MAN, Dip FP, CFP.
Director & Authorised Representative


Tony Bell
B.COM (ACC), Dip FP, CFP, CPA
Director & Authorised Representative

Another 50 great ways to help you save money!

Here are 50 ways that can help you better manage your finances and save you thousands each year!

Personal finances:

Use our updated budgeting calculator to help you work out your current spending habits and how much you could save per year!

1. Use debit cards or cash. Paying by cash might make you think twice about breaking a $50 note.
2. Save for the future. Take 10% of your income and put it aside for savings.
3. If you're four years off from buying your first home, invest your savings into the government's First Home Saver Account and you could save thousands on tax while receiving an additional government co-contribution of up to $850 each year!
4. Get an empty jar for loose coins. Every time you get home put any coins you may have in your pocket or purse into the jar. It won't make you a millionaire but it all adds up over time.

Insurance and superannuation:

1. Always update your insurance policy. ASIC says 80% of people are underinsured.
2. If you add to your super from before-tax money (ie. make a concessional contribution) you could reduce your annual tax bill.
3. If you have had a few jobs and haven't kept track of your past employer super accounts, you could have unclaimed super. Reclaim your super money today via the ATO's SuperSeeker facility.

Household related:

1. Prepaid mobile phones are generally cheaper than contracts or if you use your mobile a lot you should look at capped plans.
2. If your home has little or no ceiling insulation, take advantage of the government's Homeowner Insulation Program and save hundreds on annual heating and cooling power bills!
3. Renters and landlords can also benefit with rebates of up to $1000 under the government's Low Emission Assistance Plan.
4. You can also save up to $700 in hot water bills by installing a solar hot water system. You could also receive a government rebate of up to $1600 under their Solar Hot Water Rebate Program.
5. If you own a pet dog, take it for a walk every day or night for a full fortnight to feel fit and healthy. It's cheaper than paying gym fees and you dog will also thank you for it!
6. Make your own cleaning products from vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
7. For a cheap window cleaner, one-part vinegar, three-parts water in a spray bottle.
8. Grow your own fruit, herbs and vegetables.
9. Invest in a worm farm or compost bin to turn your leftover kitchen scraps into rich fertiliser for your garden.
10. Skip takeaway, cook at home instead.
11. Thaw frozen foods fully before cooking.
12. Fridges account for a large portion of household energy because they run 24 hours a day. Ensure they are running efficiently by not opening the door too often and keeping them well filled.
13. Use off-peak energy offers and try to run electrical appliances during off peak times eg. run the pool pump overnight (if permitted by your local council) or use dishwashers and clothes-dryers off-peak.
14. Finish your dishwasher cycle before the drying cycle and leave the door open to dry dishes.
15. Sponge clean suits then hang it in bathroom while you're showering to allow the steam to get rid of any creases.
16. Sell stuff you don't need on eBay or hold a garage sale.
    With shirts and blouses, dab the backs of buttons with some clear nail polish to stop the thread unravelling.
17. As babies grow quickly, buy their clothes at op-shops or form a co-op with family and friends to share 'hand-me downs'.
18. Generic medicine can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Transport and auto:

1. If you feel comfortable riding a bike, why not invest in a scooter. It's much cheaper to run than a car and parking in the city is a breeze!
2. Check the tyre pressure on your car at least once a month to ensure your tyres are properly inflated. This can improve the fuel efficiency of your car and extend the life of your tyres.
3. If you have a small chip on your car windscreen, try to get it fixed as soon as possible. Fixing an entire windscreen will cost much more than fixing a minor chip.
4. If you have to drive to work and you live among other work colleagues, arrange to car-pool and share the petrol and parking costs with your friends.
5. Plan your car trip ahead of time to ensure you take the most direct route and avoid any possible traffic delays at peak hour traffic times.
6. remove any unnecessary items from the boot or the back seat of your car. These all add unnecessary weight and can considerably reduce the fuel efficiency of your car.
7. If you don't use your car roof racks often, remove them. This will reduce the level of drag on your car when driving.

General shopping tips:

1. Check out http://www.lasoo.com.au/ for discounts.
2. You can also gain some great discounts at http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/ or http://www.oo.com.au/
3. Scanner errors at the check-out are very common, so you should know your prices and watch your items as they're being scanned.
4. When a supermarket sells out of advertised specials, ask for a rain check so you can buy that item at a low price when supplies are repelenished.
5. Embrace unit pricing when grocery shopping. If your local grocery store doesn't have unit pricing take a small calculator with you to work-out the best deals.
6. Save up to 70% by shopping at factory outlets eg. Direct Factory Outlets (DFO).

Holidays and travel:

1. Airfares are cheaper in advance and if you book online.
2. Flying mid-week is also cheaper.
3. http://www.ubid4rooms.com.au/ allows you to bid for a hotel room.
4. Go to http://www.realholdays.com.au/ for a wide range of holiday accommodation and offers.
5. You can also go to http://www.holidaysforsale.com.au/ for more great holidaying deals.
6. You could save hundreds holidaying during low-peak or shoulder travel seasons.

Entertainment & lifestyle:

1. Gym memberships average $20 a week so unless you are a regular, it is not value for money.
2. http://www.strawberrynet.com/ is excellent for cosmetics, skin care and hair care.
3. Buy an Entertainment Book and you will save on everyday expenses plus dining out, accommodation and admission to movies and theme parks.
4. Instead of going to the cinemas, save yur money by staying at homing and hiring a DVD instead.

Any questions? Please contact Life Balance 07 3846 1644. (Source Colonial First State).