Aussie mum reveals how she avoids hefty shipping fees and made $10k flipping preloved goods

An Aussie mum of three has made thousands of dollars through a savvy shopping side hustle — all while avoiding huge postage costs. See her tips to save while shopping and boost your income.

One in four Australians do not feel confident in their ability to make significant purchases over $200 in the next six months, new data shows.

With cost of living pressures biting hard, research from online shipping company ShipStation found high postage costs were also a major pain point, with 70 per cent of shoppers revealing it would influence their decision to stop buying online.

The survey, of 1000 people, also showed a shift in buying behaviour towards pre-owned or refurbished goods, with 32 per cent increasing their second-hand purchases over the last year.

Late deliveries (44 per cent), lack of communication (39 per cent), and poor packaging (36 per cent) were among the other shipping-related concerns.

“Spot sea freight rates have risen sharply this year and are currently reported to be up as high as 200 per cent,” Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said.

“Freight can comprise around 5 per cent of total product costs for large items such as furniture and appliances and around 2 – 3 per cent for apparel and small appliances.

“This remains one of the most challenging years for retail – with high costs of doing business coinciding with the slow down in consumer spending. Increased costs include shipping and other supply chain and transportation costs, wages, leasing costs, fuel and energy costs, insurances and the impact of a retail crime wave on the bottom line.”

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra.

ShipStation Vice President and Head of ANZ David Boyer. Picture: Supplied

ShipStation Vice President and Head of ANZ David Boyer said it was “an opportune time for retailers to start thinking about how they can make the shopping experience as simple and seamless as possible while building trust”.

“By offering clear product descriptions, easy returns, and secure payment options, retailers can reassure customers and encourage repeat purchases,” he said.

Australia’s inflation rate has climbed 3.8 per cent in the past 12 months, with the most significant price rises in the June quarter attributed to housing (up 1.1 per cent), food and non-alcoholic beverages (up 1.2 per cent), clothing and footwear (up 3.1 per cent), and alcohol and tobacco (up 1.5 per cent).

With cost of living pressures biting, Adelaide mum of three Melanie Wegener has become more conscious of limiting unnecessary purchases, while also selling off goods around their home they no longer use to help boost their coffers. She is pictured here with husband Darren and children Finn, 8, Archie, 5, and Banjo, 3. Picture: Supplied

Adelaide mum-of-three Melanie Wegener said the rise in grocery bills, mortgage repayments, rates and insurance premiums had spurred her and husband Darren to be more mindful with money.

“We definitely think about our purchases more before buying. Often I’ll leave items in my cart, and then I’ll just close the tab, and think about it for a while,” she said.

“I don’t just buy one thing here, or one thing there. I definitely try to buy the whole lot together.”

Mrs Wegener saves money on deliveries by turning to ‘fakeaway’ meals instead of ordering food, buying through cash refund services such as ShopBack, and buying preloved goods.

The creator of Instagram page The Savvy Mamma said she has made about $10,000 in recent years by flipping homewares and reselling them, as well as selling items like kitchen appliances, kids’ toys and clothes.

eBay’s 2024 Recommerce Report revealed similar trends, with 84 per cent of Australians buying or selling preloved goods in the last 12 months.

“With cost-of-living affecting many Aussies, it’s no surprise saving money is the main motivator for buying (66 per cent) but also selling,” eBay Australia spokesperson Emma Lowde said.