The cost of convenience - Mouths of Mums

We’re all guilty of paying a little more because something’s closer, quicker or easier, but what is the true cost of convenience?

Kirsty Lamont, Director at product comparison site, Mozo, looks at the most common mistakes we make when it comes to convenience and how to avoid them.

ATM fees

Mozo recently found Australians pay a whopping $555 million each year on ‘foreign’ ATM fees by using an ATM outside of your own bank’s network.

Withdrawal fees of $2.50 are now commonplace, particularly by some of the independent ATM operators like Cashcard and CashConnect that are usually located in pubs and corner stores where your options are limited.

When you consider there are 61 out of 101 bank accounts, in the Mozo bank account database with fee-free network ATM withdrawals, there’s no reason to pay unnecessary ATM fees.

Another option could be to withdraw money at the checkout via Eftpos or reduce your reliance on cash by making contactless payments with your Debit card where you can.

Avoid the temptation for home delivery

At the end of the day, it’s very easy to choose a take-away meal or a last-minute supermarket shop for your evening meal, but both of these are having a big impact on your wallet.

Shopping on a day-to-day basis means you’re likely to be buying things for one meal rather than finding multiple uses for one ingredient.

You’re also putting yourself in a position to be tempted by off-list items, planning your meals for the week and creating a detailed shopping list will keep a lid on grocery spending.

Ordering home delivered meal kits could be a good alternative if time is your enemy.These vary in price but can be a great alternative to takeaway by only providing food for the recipe that’s provided and the number of people and meals you’ve specified.

Don’t pay more for the same product

If you have a regular food craving or daily ritual which involves a visit to the convenience store, stop! Buy the items in bulk or at the supermarket where the price will be substantially lower.

The cost saving will be worth your time and effort to walk the extra distance.

Price match

Many larger retailers will match the price on a similar item sold cheaper by a competitor, all you need to do is conduct your own quick price comparison.

Although it may not be advertised, in the case of a big screen TV or kitchen appliance, the savings you make could mean it’s definitely worth asking.

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30 Comments

- - mom94125 said
  - 05 Oct 2017
    1:24 am
i heard that they are now scrapping the $2 fee in using a foreign atm. that will save everybody heaps of money

- - mom112217 said
  - 31 Oct 2016
    10:20 pm
I do love to price match where they allow it!

- - mom81879 said
  - 22 Nov 2015
    4:31 pm
I always use my banks ATMs, or withdraw money from our local PO. I don’t really do anything else with it to attract fees

- - dannsbuild said
  - 22 Sep 2015
    5:23 pm
Good knowledge to know! Thanks for sharing this!

- - scipia said
  - 07 May 2015
    2:30 pm
I try and withdraw cash a few times a month so that I stay under the limit of ATM fees. Plus with cash, I know how much I can spend and how much is left in the account.

- - smiles said
  - 30 Apr 2015
    2:28 pm
Thanks for these tips that help save money.

- - mom94378 said
  - 26 Feb 2015
    9:23 pm
Some very basic tips here that we can all follow to help ourselves, thanks.

- - pakeko said
  - 26 Jan 2015
    8:29 pm
Some of these I am so guilty of time for change I think thank you for helping me along the way

- - GeoEllie said
  - 25 Jan 2015
    5:44 pm
Love home delivery systems which just deliver the exact ingredients you need to make a 2 person meal. Perfect for us!

- - priyachirag said
  - 05 Jan 2015
    11:52 pm
Ouch! I’m guilty of most of these. Need to improve this year..

- - mom72550 said
  - 29 Oct 2014
    9:29 am
I hate ATM fees and refuse to pay them (by not using ATMs that charge them). But sometimes I think it’s worth paying a little more for convenience. Our time is worth something too so if it saves a bit of time it just may be worth paying that bit extra for. Online shopping is a big one for me – I’m willing to pay a little more for the convenience of not having to hit the shops, kids in tow. I end up spending less overall as I don’t impulse purchase and the experience is much less stressful.

- - jabelle said
  - 18 Oct 2014
    9:45 pm
Changing our habits could save us a lot!

- - june11 said
  - 16 Oct 2014
    7:01 pm
I have 2 debit cards, one linked to my savings account into which my pension money goes and all my bills are paid by direct debit and the othewr linked to my cheque account.
I withdraw cash if I may need it when I pay for my groceries with my card. The fees to do that are cheaper than if you use an ATM or pay an account with it in the PO. I have only ever incurred a fee once. I had one too many withdrawals in one month. Had I used both cards it wouldn’t have been a problem. My bank calculated how many I am allowed according to the balance in my account. I withdraw cash mainly to use at the chemist and doctor + any small purchase I may make. Normally once or twice a month.

- - mom59055 said
  - 06 Oct 2014
    3:14 pm
i never pay by card. i use cash so i know how much money i have

- - mom93821 said
  - 06 Oct 2014
    10:30 am
Interesting article and a good read. Always good to get others ideas and tips.

- - rachaelchara said
  - 30 Sep 2014
    9:32 am
I am always on the lookout for specials and never pay full price for anything. I withdraw cash very rarely as I pay everything on my credit card… lunch orders. When I do withdraw cash I do so at the supermarket and never at ATM’s.

- - skbou said
  - 25 Sep 2014
    4:27 pm
My credit union recently closed but there were a few atm’s around that supported their card….until last month when every time I tried to use it I was told it had been declined and I was charged a for using a non-bank atm (even though it didn’t give me any money!)…… finally sorted, and closed the account….. $72 in charges later! grrrrrr

- - rachkap said
  - 25 Sep 2014
    2:41 am
ATM fees are pure rip off!

- - Threelos said
  - 24 Sep 2014
    7:26 pm
It’s true the banks are criminal in the charges they put on so many things.
I found home delivery of groceries to be expensive due to both the delivery fee, but also the higher prices of the actual groceries. However the advantage was that you could see the grand total before finalising the order, and go back over and remove items that you actually didnt’ really need. Hard to do that at the supermarket when all the groceries are through and packed, and you’re faced with the huge total cost!
- tam_watters replied
  
  06 Oct 2014 , 6:29 pm
  Living in a small area we don’t have the option of home delivery but I agree that being able to take items off the list would save me money in the long run – especially removing impulse purchases like magazines and chips and chocolates!
- - cherz said
  - 24 Sep 2014
    3:34 pm
I believe I am a very savvy and smart shopper but am not certain I agree with your point on not doing a last-minute supermarket shop for your evening meal. I really don’t see a problem with stopping at the supermarket on the way home and picking up some fresh meat and veggies for the evening meal. This is way better and healthier than take-a-way and you can even pick up meat on an evening special. What’s wrong with this???