Always include some sanity money in your budget as it means you are less likely to spend other money that you need for something else. Get this money out in cash each pay day and when it is gone it is gone – NO SWIPING!

Save all change given to you at shops that is under $1. Our family of three adults has made this a habit. We use an old glass vase and all the 10, 20, and 50 cents pieces get dropped in after each shopping trip. We only dip into it if we need parking meter money. […]

When my hubby & I were on a tight budget, we came up with the idea that we would not spend over $29 without receiving the other person’s approval first. We usually gave permission when asked by the other, but it gave us time to think if we really needed the item before getting it…a […]

To make budgeting easier for our family, I calculate ALL bills for the year (including car warrants, regos, insurance, rates, power, phone, etc). I then divide the full yearly amount by 52 weeks, and deposit that amount to a bills account. I have all automatic payments and direct debits set up to come out of […]

As a Kiwi settled long-term in Melbourne, here’s a budgeting tool I find extremely helpful. You will need to change the odd government allowances term. Just fill in the details and hey presto!  moneysmart >>>

As a Volunteer Budget Advisor, I act as a free source of advice to many clients who are finding it difficult or impossible to make ends meet. There is not always an easy solution, but independent advice can often provide a solution. If the weekly budget is in deficit, there are only 2 possible solutions […]

Set up an excel spreadsheet to record monies going in and every bill going out weekly, we do this over a 3 month period so we can see what we can realistically put into savings every month with whats left over. We do this on one wage and still manage to put $600+ away in […]