Simple Ways To Save Money In Perth

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Who doesn’t love saving money? I know I do!

I love a bargain or a heavily discounted item and since becoming a mum, the purse strings have tightened a LOT. Since leaving full time work, I’ve found a few ways to save money and make my measly dollars stretch just that little bit further.

1. Observe the Fuel Cycle

The Perth metro area has a fairly regular fuel cycle in which prices are typically the highest every Wednesday and gradually get cheaper until Tuesday, before the cycle starts again. You can check the fuel prices in your area here .

2. Think about the way you do your grocery shopping

There are lots of way to save on groceries:



3. Look for ‘reduced to clear’ items at the supermarket

I’ve become somewhat obsessed with checking the meat fridges at my local supermarket and picking up items that have been reduced to clear. I then plan my meals for next week based on these bargains. Most of the time there’s nothing wrong with reduced to clear meats, dairy products, vegetables and groceries – sometimes they are nearing the use by date, or sometimes the packaging is a bit untidy. You can freeze meat and some dairy products such as cream, yoghurt and even cheese!

You can also try buying some items in bulk and freezing them, such as meat, which can be cut up into portions. Buying in bulk usually means a lower cost per unit or kilo.



4. Discover Perth’s hidden seconds and discount gems

Perth has a number of discount outlets offering various products. For example, Miss Maud, the popular Swedish coffeehouse dotted throughout Perth, has a discount and seconds shop. Yep – they sell off all their unsold cakes, slices and muffins, plus pies, sausage rolls and other savouries. For more information, read on here . Steggles , one of Australia’s largest producers of fresh and frozen chicken, has an outlet in Osborne Park, while if you are renovating your bathroom, check out The Bathroom Outlet , also in Osborne Park. Then there is, of course, Watertown , Perth’s premier outlet brand destination, which sells clothing, homewares, sporting goods, gifts and so much more!

[IMAGE38815 Discounted cakes at Miss Maud’s outlet shop (Image: Shannon Meyerkort, Perth Mums Group)]

5. Look online for Perth’s best deals

Getting out with the kids gets expensive after a while, so I scour online shopping sites such as Groupon and Scoopon for deals to Perth’s play centres, cafes, animal attractions, high tea and so much more. They might be half price entry or a discounted meal, and any saving is a win in my book. You could also consider investing in an Entertainment Book , although a lot of the deals for play centres do tend to be ‘buy one, get one free’ which works out to be half price anyway. Try and have a look at the book first to see if it is a wise investment for your family.

Another way to save money is to invest in an annual pass for places you visit frequently, such as the Perth Zoo or Adventure World.



6. Find the best free activities in your suburb

If you really want to refrain from spending any money, there are HEAPS of free activities happening around Perth every week, including events at your local library, free activities at shopping centres during school holidays, parks, playgrounds and water play. The Perth Mums Group website has a list of free activities around Perth along with an extensive list of articles about Perth’s Parks and Playgrounds.



7. Embrace the second hand revolution

The second hand market in Perth is now worth millions of dollars, with children’s items one of the most lucrative areas for both buyers and sellers. Children grow out of clothes, cots, prams and toys so quickly that sometimes it just makes sense to buy second hand. You can look in op shops, scour Gumtree or Facebook Buy, Swap and Sell pages. You can even have a go at selling and make money instead of spending it! And you’ll free up some space in the house – it’s a win-win!

8. Check out store rewards cards

Some rewards and loyalty cards are better than others – for example, Baby Bunting offers a 5% discount on goods when you sign up to a VIP loyalty card. When you sign up to a Woolworths Rewards Card, you can claim 4c per litre off fuel at Woolworths Petrol stations, while a Bonds & Me loyalty program entitles you to 20% off in Bonds store and online. Check out The Thrifty Issue for a huge list of Australia’s loyalty programs.

[IMAGE38818 You can buy lots of Bonds with 20% off! (Image: Bonds website)]

9. Try shopping around for a cheaper rate

Home, car and health insurance are all big costs to the household budget, so why not shop around for a cheaper rate (check out iSelect or Compare the Market .) You could also be paying too much on your premiums for things you no longer need, such as pregnancy.

What are your favourite money saving tips and hints? Feel free to share in the comments section and let the mums of Perth into your best money saving secrets!

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[INTRO Here are a few ways to save money and make those measly dollars stretch just that little bit further!]
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