Sentry Page Protection
Member Wins & Money Smiles January 2026
How I Planned 2026 Expenses Early to Avoid Financial Surprises
To begin 2026, I sat down and did my monthly bank reconciliation, then projected my income and expenses forward so I’d have a clear, realistic idea of what my 2025/26 tax position might look like. Everything expected is already accounted for in the books — council rates, water rates, body corporate fees — so there should be no nasty surprises popping up later in the year. Next, I reviewed what gifts I already have sorted for Christmas 2026 and for birthdays. That job is done. There’s no need to buy presents throughout the year when they’re already taken care of. I also have a small stock of handmade items — scarves, dolls, gloves, baby jackets and blankets — ready for any unexpected occasions. Grocery shopping will stay on a monthly cycle, and with cleaning products, soap and toiletries already stocked for the year ahead, everyday spending should stay calm, planned, and predictable.
Contributed by Anne Green
Contributed by Anne Green
Takeaway Done Affordably
Living 20km from the nearest town has its advantages, especially when it comes to food. My partner loves takeaway, but instead of making the trip into town, I showed him we could recreate his favourites at home for a fraction of the cost. Egg and bacon muffins, fillet of fish, fried rice, and other takeaway-style meals can all be made using ingredients we already buy with our regular grocery shop—often for about a quarter of the price.
Not only did we save money, but the meals tasted even better freshly cooked at home. There was no waiting, no packaging waste, and no impulse spending on extras. Best of all, by avoiding a special trip into town just for takeaway, we saved time, fuel, and wear and tear on the car. It proved that with a little planning, takeaway-style meals can be affordable, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make at home.
Contributed by TG
Not only did we save money, but the meals tasted even better freshly cooked at home. There was no waiting, no packaging waste, and no impulse spending on extras. Best of all, by avoiding a special trip into town just for takeaway, we saved time, fuel, and wear and tear on the car. It proved that with a little planning, takeaway-style meals can be affordable, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make at home.
Contributed by TG
8 Day Groceries = $1,260 Saving!
Many years ago I heard about this practice of doing the groceries every 8 days instead of weekly, and over the course of a year saving big time. We were a little skeptical but we tested it out, and it actually worked!
The idea is that you menu plan as usual for 7 days, do all your other normal frugal grocery/food actions, e.g. don’t go back to the supermarket in between grocery days, etc., but on the 8th day you just make do. Basically, you’re just stretching your groceries to last for 8 days on a 7 day budget.
Think about the times when you were supposed to do the groceries but something came up and so you just made it work at home until the next day. No one starved, you just might’ve had some leftovers, or eggs on toast for dinner, and then everyone had bits & pieces from the cupboard/fridge for breakfast and lunch the next day.
We use our family calendar to write in when grocery day is (i.e. every 8 days), and continue to budget & plan for just 7 days. We withdraw our weekly $180 grocery money in cash every Thursday, and pop it in the cupboard ready for grocery day. However, every 7 weeks we withdraw the $180 knowing that the next grocery shopping day is the following Thursday, when we’ll withdraw another $180, meaning we’ll have two lots of grocery money!
One lot of grocery money ends up in savings, and one is used for the groceries. This happens every 7 weeks, and over the course of the year it happens 7 times. 7 x $180 = $1,260 per year in our savings, just by stretching the weekly groceries by one day! And you can imagine how much this could add up to over the course of 5, 10 or 20 years!
Contributed by Bonnie Yates
The idea is that you menu plan as usual for 7 days, do all your other normal frugal grocery/food actions, e.g. don’t go back to the supermarket in between grocery days, etc., but on the 8th day you just make do. Basically, you’re just stretching your groceries to last for 8 days on a 7 day budget.
Think about the times when you were supposed to do the groceries but something came up and so you just made it work at home until the next day. No one starved, you just might’ve had some leftovers, or eggs on toast for dinner, and then everyone had bits & pieces from the cupboard/fridge for breakfast and lunch the next day.
We use our family calendar to write in when grocery day is (i.e. every 8 days), and continue to budget & plan for just 7 days. We withdraw our weekly $180 grocery money in cash every Thursday, and pop it in the cupboard ready for grocery day. However, every 7 weeks we withdraw the $180 knowing that the next grocery shopping day is the following Thursday, when we’ll withdraw another $180, meaning we’ll have two lots of grocery money!
One lot of grocery money ends up in savings, and one is used for the groceries. This happens every 7 weeks, and over the course of the year it happens 7 times. 7 x $180 = $1,260 per year in our savings, just by stretching the weekly groceries by one day! And you can imagine how much this could add up to over the course of 5, 10 or 20 years!
Contributed by Bonnie Yates
Budget Check-In
After Christmas, I always take time to review our budget and see what worked—and what didn’t—over the past year. I look at whether we allocated enough to each category, where we overspent, and where we might have underspent (although that didn’t happen!).
This year, what really stood out was just how much prices have risen. Food, utilities, and everyday essentials all cost more, and it became clear why it felt like we were constantly struggling to make ends meet. We also realised we had overspent on groceries almost every single week.
It was the perfect moment to reset, create a more realistic budget, and consider adding a side hustle if needed.
Contributed by Leanne Johnston
This year, what really stood out was just how much prices have risen. Food, utilities, and everyday essentials all cost more, and it became clear why it felt like we were constantly struggling to make ends meet. We also realised we had overspent on groceries almost every single week.
It was the perfect moment to reset, create a more realistic budget, and consider adding a side hustle if needed.
Contributed by Leanne Johnston
Shop Your Wardrobe
Instead of saying “I have nothing to wear” while staring at an overflowing wardrobe, I decided to take a different approach this year. The reality is, I have plenty of clothes—many of them barely worn, or completely forgotten because they’re tucked away at the back under a pile of favourites. My plan is simple: each day, I’ll wear at least one item that I haven’t worn before or haven’t worn in a long time. It’s a great way to rediscover what I already own, create new outfit combinations, and actually enjoy the clothes I’ve paid for. With so many options already in my wardrobe, there’s no need to buy anything new. For now, clothes shopping is off the list.
Contributed by Rachael Maddock
Contributed by Rachael Maddock
Instant Picnic in My Car
I keep a small tub filled with shelf stable food items in the boot of my car. Things like GF instant noodle cups, tuna, rice crackers and tea/coffee bags. I rarely leave home without my thermos filled with hot water so I can have a cuppa and some noodles or tuna and crackers if hunger strikes. Much easier than trying to find a budget friendly, gluten-free take away meal. But this tip works for anyone. Just reload the tub and stick it by the front door to return it to the car next time you head out.
Contributed by Simone Button
Contributed by Simone Button
Build a Home Gym for Less: How I Saved Money on Fitness Without a Membership
I’ve managed to save a surprising amount of money on fitness by thinking outside the box. Instead of paying for a gym membership, I keep an eye on local share-and-swap groups on Facebook and make the most of hard rubbish days. Over time, I’ve picked up enough equipment to create my own home gym—at little to no cost. Working out at home saves on petrol and travel time, and it’s far more flexible. I also share equipment with friends, which makes it even more affordable and social. Staying fit doesn’t have to be expensive; a little creativity can go a long way.
Contributed by Dale Gertig
Contributed by Dale Gertig
Winter Vegetables on a Summer Budget: Stocking the Freezer for Cold-Weather Meals
I know it’s summer and January is hot, so the last thing we feel like doing is cooking. But when my local greengrocer opened, I discovered a yellow-sticker bargain table that was too good to ignore. I popped in for their weekly loss-leader special—10kg of onions for $5. Some were starting to sprout, so they’ll be chopped and frozen as soon as I finish rearranging the freezer to make room. While I was there, I checked the bargain table and found trays of parsnips and turnips for just $1.49 each. Parsnips usually cost $8–$10 per kilo, so I rarely buy them, and turnips even less often. One tray of parsnips weighed 1.3kg and the turnips 1.5kg when I got home. They’re now peeled and freezing on trays, ready to be bagged and stored alongside the 20 leeks I picked up free on my last shift from Foodbank when they were emptying the fridge before Christmas. I can already see plenty of nourishing, hearty vegetable soups in my future this winter.
Contributed by Joy Sleeman
Contributed by Joy Sleeman