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Deciding to budget does not mean that you have to cut out spending on discretionary items that are important to your lifestyle.  But you should be realistic about them and become a disciplined shopper (as well as a disciplined budgeter). This will help make your money work better for you.  Here are my budgeting tips for you and your family:

Here are just a few ideas on this important topic:

  • Consider buying lower priced “generics” or items of a similar nature to your regular purchases;
  • Switch to less expensive versions of goods or services.
  • Shop harder for the best possible deals on items you must have;
  • Avoid buying items that are of limited value to you or your family;
  • Become a comparison shopper: watch the advertisements and be aware that prices vary from day to day on a whole range of goods from furniture to food;
  • Watch for genuine sales and specials;
  • Deal with shops, which offer good service and will take goods back without argument if they are unsatisfactory.
  • Shop for seasonal specials and stock your freezer.  But buy in bulk only when you know you can use everything you intend to buy – otherwise you will have to throw a lot of it out.  Waste is costly.
  • Phase your purchasing of big items like furniture and major electrical goods over three to five years and buy only when you really need and can afford the items;
  • Think about buying good second-hand items – check-out auctions and garage sales;
  • If you are holding money in a special savings account, you can often use it to pay for an item – and get a discount for cash;
  • Buy Australian-made goods in preference to imports – buying Australian helps save jobs and reduces the nation’s overseas payments and debt problems.

Try to be as realistic as possible. Do not make the budget so tight and demanding that it will be impossible to achieve your goals. Do not make it too generous – or you will destroy your incentive to budget and save. Be flexible – but disciplined.

Partners should budget together. But involve everyone in your household – tell them about your budget and savings goals and why it is so important to achieve them.

Do not be discouraged if you cannot get your budget to work – try again. Once you have set up a workable budget, you will find that budgeting becomes a habit.

The advice contained herein does not take into account any persons particular objectives, needs or financial situation. Before making a decision regarding the acquisition or disposal of a Financial Product persons should assess whether the advice is appropriate to their objectives, needs or financial situation. Persons may wish to make this assessment themselves or seek the help of an adviser. No responsibility is taken for persons acting on the information provided. Persons doing so, do so at their own risk.

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  • This article was a timely reminder that it is important to keep and eye out for specials, bulk buy items and consider second hand goods.

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  • Good tips! Really good knowledge to know! Thanks for sharing this!

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  • this sound really great if you can stick to it

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  • these are really good tips
    they will be so helpful!
    thanks for sharing with the mums

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  • I am re-doing our budget right now to get rid of all our debt

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  • Most of the furniture in our house comes from auctions!

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  • Thanks everyone for sharing.
    IF you would like a FREE budgeting spreadsheet, jump onto our website http://www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au and have a look at the download page or email us.
    Happy Budgeting


    • Some wonderful tips and advice here, thanks for the link. :)

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  • Some great tips!!

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  • I freeze alot of cassoroles and any left over vegies go into making a pie

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  • Most of my pantry is stocked with generic goods.

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  • it is so important to save money for a rainy day and emergencies thanks for helping

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  • Always important to meet the balance between budgeting and living life!

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  • I find just being aware of what I’m spending helps so much. Plus if I pre plan all the spending for the month I feel I have more money than just blindly spending it.

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  • Great ideas

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  • I am a single mum and about to take my three children to bali for our fisrt trip my problem isn’t about not having things I just think oh extra $20 what can I buy so I do find savings hard I already prepay my bills so I rely on that a bit as there usually $400 ish in credit every couple of months my thing though is if I have money its got to be used even though I don’t need things it really frustrates me because I should be saving or my holiday will be boring

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  • god tips to get started, thanks

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  • Another tip is to always ask for a discount when buying anything from a non grocery store. The number of times I have got a discount just because I asked still amazes me.

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  • Budgeting is something i need to have and stick to

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  • Always love getting new ideas to help me and my family, saving is a great feeling of accomplishment

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  • I find that buying generic items/home brand items really helped cut my expenses. It is also helpful to study shopping catalogues weekly to find out which items are on sale.

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