Everyone knows that students have very small budgets and a single dollar can go a long way for some of us. Here are hacks that I have used to save money on a daily basis:
Loyalty cards:
Most businesses have loyalty cards for customers that offer a free tenth coffee, a free drink on your birthday or discounts on products.
The Wagga Cinema offers an amazing deal with their movie club, McDonald’s offers free desserts and menu items through their app, while businesses like Aussie Disposals offer discounts when you sign up to their free club!
So, stock up on loyalty cards and don’t be afraid to inquire about a student discount, even if they don’t seem to advertise it.
Chia Seeds & water:
Chia seeds have amazing health benefits and contain antioxidants, fiber, protein, iron, calcium and the list goes on! The great thing about chia seeds is that a very small portion will fill you up.
So while they may be a bit expensive, if you have a little mixed in with your breakfast or smoothie, you won’t snack as much or need as big meals, which means money saved in the long run.
Similarly, drinking water keeps you hydrated and feeling full, plus it’s much cheaper than soft drink, tea, coffee, juice, or alcoholic beverages. If you can’t stand the bland taste of water, add a slice of lemon or lime to your water bottle!
Fuel:
Fuel prices often vary during the week and weekends at certain times of the day, so keep an eye on your local petrol station and fill up your car at the right time. You can save a huge amount on fuel by doing this.
Choosing the cheapest fuel isn’t always the most cost-effective way to go. The Premium fuels can give you up to 100-200 more kilometres on one tank than cheaper fuels, which means it’s actually cheaper to use Premium.
Test it out yourself! Fill your tank up with a cheaper fuel and set your Trip A to zero. See how many kilometres you can get before refilling with Premium and resetting Trip A to compare the results.
Reduced food:
Supermarkets have reduced food sections in both the freezer and fresh produce areas. This is food which has a small time frame to be consumed, so it is reduced to ridiculous prices.
Bakeries, sushi bars, Chinese, and other food businesses that have fresh food each day will also reduce their prices towards the end of the day, so this is the best time if you need a quick-fix!
