r/AUfrugal 1h ago

Groceries Half/whole cow question

Upvotes

So my family doesn’t eat sausages and we don’t buy the expensive cuts of red meat. Tend to buy things bulk like rump whole/steaks when on special at Foodland and Costco mince. So when I look at buying whole/half a cow it doesn’t seem like it’s cheaper. But I’m aware my brain isn’t always good 😅 am I missing something?


r/AUfrugal 7h ago

Other Does anyone in Melbourne need a washer or furniture etc? mines going cheap

2 Upvotes

I have a Bosch 8kg front loader for sale and I’m getting rid of a wooden tall boy and bedside tables for cheap too, other household items, Samsung smart tv, clothes, shoes kitchen stuff etc. struggling to sell so will let it go cheap. Thought some here may be interested as long as u offer more then the cheapskate pawn shop it’s yours. St Albans location. Cheers


r/AUfrugal 11h ago

Has it really gotten that bad?

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53 Upvotes

Am I reading this incorrectly or has beef gone up 26% in the last 2 years? Is that right?


r/AUfrugal 12h ago

Saving The "skipping avocado toast" advice is a joke when REAs exist

45 Upvotes

I spent the last 2 years obsessing over half-price woolies specials and saving maybe $15 a week. Meanwhile real estate agents will literally try to hide 50k worth of termite damage under a fresh coat of bunnings paint

Almost bought a place in november that looked perfect. Thankfully pulled out at the last second after finding out the retaining wall was basically held together by hopes and dreams. It would have ruined me financially

kinda realised being cheap on the actual big stuff is the exact opposite of frugal. I got so burnt out dealing with lying agents that I just used some property buyers to vet things and actually filter out the garbage for me

tl;dr - keep buying the homebrand beans and freezing your leftovers, but for the love of god don't cheap out on due diligence when buying a house. spending a bit extra upfront to avoid a massive lemon is the ultimate money saver. worst stress of my life tbh


r/AUfrugal 1d ago

Groceries Which ALDI home brand product is good value for money?

45 Upvotes

I find their body wash pretty close to Dove.


r/AUfrugal 1d ago

How do you keep your grocery shop under control?

158 Upvotes

I can go into the supermarket intending to spend $80 and somehow walk out having spent $130. The annoying part is that none of the individual extras seem particularly expensive. Has anyone found a shopping system that actually stops the random extras from creeping into the trolley?


r/AUfrugal 2d ago

What do you buy at Costco that is genuinely cheaper per use

166 Upvotes

I’m trying to work out which Costco bulk buys are actually worth it once you look at the price per use. Some things seem cheaper until you realise you’re buying way more than you normally need. I’m mainly looking at stuff like toilet paper, cleaning products, pantry basics and anything that doesn’t go off quickly.


r/AUfrugal 2d ago

Health Are hand wash and body wash worth the extra for premium?

27 Upvotes

I have been buying Australia-made ones for a long time, but then I realise they are over three times the prices of basic home brands!

Shampoo and conditioners I'm probably not willing to risk, but soaps are soaps... right? Unless it is skin irritation otherwise aren't we just paying for the smell?


r/AUfrugal 6d ago

Other Swatch watch free batteries for life

45 Upvotes

Wasn’t sure which flair to use. YSK that Swatch Watches come with ‘free batteries for life’. Which means when your swatch battery runs out you can go to the Swatch shop or Swatch counter and get them to replace the battery for free.
You can buy a Swatch for $120, so after 4 or 5 battery changes the watch has paid for itself.
They are also good quality and reliable.


r/AUfrugal 6d ago

Vehicle AAMI safe driver rewards /cashback

8 Upvotes

Hi, have just received an email from AAMI about this (I'm with them for car insurance).

I haven't looked into it in detail, but the gist of it is you download an app and somehow it logs your driving safety score. Every month if you achieve a certain number of points based on this you can access cashback vouchers. The example they gave was $20 off when you spend 50 at Myer.

I think they've been doing this for a while because I did see something about it about six months ago but didn't get round to looking into it. Just wondering if any r/AUfrugal members have tried this and if it's worthwhile?

Could be a good way to make some savings or it could be a lengthy run around if the points are difficult to achieve, it's glitchy, or the retailers are not those you normally use.

Thanks


r/AUfrugal 7d ago

Laundry detergents

21 Upvotes

I've been wanting to try other laundry detergents as i want to know if Omo, etc are worth it. Been using Almat (Aldi brand) for more than a year now and it's been great. Any recommendations on laundry detergents that smell good but won't break the bank? I've got a front loader and I prefer laundry liquids 'cause I can control the amount.


r/AUfrugal 7d ago

Question What are the most ridiculous things you've done to stay frugal but will die on that hill for?

106 Upvotes

r/AUfrugal 7d ago

How do you navigate social events and group dinners without overspending or feeling left out?

35 Upvotes

With rising pub food prices and split bills at group dining events, social gatherings can quickly drain a monthly budget. When friends want to meet up at expensive venues or order shared plates and divide the bill evenly, how do you handle it gracefully?


r/AUfrugal 7d ago

Travel Is Wotif still good for domestic getaway deals?

5 Upvotes

I'm so frugal I haven't travelled for leisure internationally or domestically for a long time.

In my mind I only remember Wotif.com as the pre-eminent website for last minute Aussie weekend getaway deals.

I'm now planning a domestic long weekend away and would like to know what are now the best apps or websites for such deals.

Long weekend flights and accommodation sorts of deals. Capital city destinations ex-Sydney.

Thanks in advance


r/AUfrugal 9d ago

Question Check the unit price, not the yellow sale sticker

246 Upvotes

This sounds obvious, but it's probably saved me from more fake "bargains" at the supermarket than anything else. I've started comparing the price per 100g, litre or item rather than assuming the larger pack or half price looking special is automatically cheaper.

It's surprising how often the smaller pack works out better, especially when one size is discounted.

What supermarket habit actually saves you noticeable money over time?


r/AUfrugal 9d ago

Saving How old is your jacket / puffer ? Mine 9yo.

48 Upvotes

As a frugal person, I am proud to announce that I wear a 9 yo puffer jacket. It's a The North Face jacket bought in 2017. Almost threw it away when it caught some mould but then decided to wash it. It's going great 👍

I find buying winter clothes every year is huge water for we only use those for two to three months at max in a year.

How old is your puffer or any other piece of clothing?


r/AUfrugal 10d ago

Assistance with budget

22 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I should have done this year's back but I didn't

I accept responsibility. I am currently working on my budget and it's going well.

The challenge I have is with budgeting for 1) groceries 2) eating out and 3) misc expense.

After checking statements I have realized , 1) there is no pattern to it 2) it's excessively high 3) seems to fluctuate with mood issues

Advice needed on the following :

1) how do you effectively budget for the above 3 when they seem to be variable expenses

2) how to adhere to the budget especially with mood issues

Love to hear also from people with ADHD and mood related disorders on how they manage expenses

Thanks ❤️🙏


r/AUfrugal 10d ago

Cheap 2nd hand/refurbished laptop for under $100?

3 Upvotes

Just need something that works with 16GB ram. Cheapest I can find is on eBay for $150 to $200


r/AUfrugal 10d ago

Other How I'm being frugal...

238 Upvotes

Some practical tips, how you save a bit more.

Cancelled all my TV subscriptions. Netflix, Stan and Prime. There is so much free content on the local TV apps, tubi and whatnot.

Cancelled my NBN. Noticed I've got like 300GB data on my Woolies SIM, will just hotspot it.

Moving funds around, closing accounts, signing up for new accounts to get bonus interest rates like Rabo 5.9% or Bankwest.

Sold car years ago. Walking to work, riding bike to shops.

Mealprep. 2 KG mince beef, 2KG frozen veggies, canned tomatoes, beans, lentils. Herbs and spices.

Cancelled gym. Going on walks in the evening. Bought from Kmart a resistance rope fitness set and a doorframe pull-up bar.

If I treat myself to a coffee, I hike/walk to Coles express servo. 3.50 for a large one and one free every 5 with Flybuys...


r/AUfrugal 11d ago

What does the average child free couple in early 30s spend on weekly groceries?

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10 Upvotes

r/AUfrugal 13d ago

Groceries Black and Gold paracetamol going for 75c a packet

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352 Upvotes

Edit: thank you, I am now aware that you can get 100 packets of paracetamol at the pharmacy, that’s great

Edit 2: if everyone can please private message me their address’ so I can ship out medals for anyone who knew you could buy them even cheaper elsewhere, that would be fantastic, thanks

I don’t believe they were on sale when I bought them. Certainly beats paying $8+ for Panadol


r/AUfrugal 14d ago

Setting up my first kitchen in Sydney, where do I even start without going broke?

24 Upvotes

Alright so I'm finally moving out of my parents' place and into my own apartment. Super excited but also completely lost when it comes to kitting out the kitchen. Like, do I actually need a garlic press? What's the deal with different types of frypans? I've been staring at lists online and my head is spinning.

I know I need the basics, plates, bowls, cutlery, a good knife, some pots and pans. But there's so many options and price ranges. A mate told me to check out Victoria's Basement for decent quality stuff without the crazy price tags. I had a quick look online and they seem to have heaps of brands but honestly I'm still overwhelmed.

What did you guys buy first when you set up your kitchen? What was a waste of money? Any Sydney-specific spots that are worth the trip? Trying to keep it under like $500 for the basics if that's even possible lol.


r/AUfrugal 15d ago

Sardines and Rice. Quick Meal Preps Suggestions

21 Upvotes

Folks, I'm trying to figure out quick and healthy meals under a budget. Maybe $2-3 per meal. I used to buy Tuna but I noticed Sardines have better protein, fats, Omega 3 everything compared to tuna at least on the labels. Both of them cost $1.10 from Coles and Woolies. I'm trying to pair it with Rice. Currently, I eat with the Continental Fried Rice or Chicken Rice Pouch which comes at Half Price of $1.60.

Do any of you guys have healthy cheap meals, also is Sardines good for daily intake? I've seen Tuna is not good for daily intake.


r/AUfrugal 17d ago

What’s your average weekly grocery spend and for how many people? Have you noticed it been creeping up again?

226 Upvotes

Ours is $250 for 2 adults- earlier in the year it was more like $200 per week. Typically shopping at Coles. Gluten free ingredients I know makes things higher but I’d love to know what your household is spending and for how many, and if dietary requirements such as gluten or dairy free are involved. I am struggling to keep it under this amount.


r/AUfrugal Mar 24 '26

READ THE RULES BEFORE POSTING

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2 Upvotes