Cost of living crisis: Easy ways to to save cash — or earn more

With the cost of living crisis not easing up any time soon, Aussies are picking up everyday habits to help save a buck. Here’s what you can do to save money — or make some extra.

Aussies are learning to live with every day, and now we are picking up new habits and finding ways to save a buck to cope with the cost of living crunch.

Even the most frugal of us will turn to rideshare services like Uber at some point – whether it’s for a late-night lift after the trains have stopped or to avoid trackwork.

Redfern-based professional Megan Ngo is part of a growing trend of young people turning to Uber Pool to save cash by sharing a ride with strangers.

In the past six months, Uber Pool trips in Australia have more than doubled, with people keen to save up to 30 per cent of the fare.

“It’s nice to save a bit of money, but it’s also nice because you genuinely meet so many interesting people,” Ms Ngo said. “I met someone who was in a rock band and now I listen to his music.”

Issi Nacson, Megan Ngo and Carwyn Davies share Uber Pool to save some money – and have some laughs with new friends and driver Nancy Kismarton

Most of us are seeing the biggest pain in our wallets from rising bills and groceries.

Inflation at the checkouts was a big factor for Sydneysider Matthew Bowen and his family switching from the major supermarkets to an imperfect picks subscription box. Every fortnight the family receives a 15kg box of imperfect fresh produce from Farmers Pick for $62.

Matthew, Elsie and Audrey Bowen check out their bounty from Farmers Pick, a cheap box of imperfect produce which saves them money. Picture: Richard Dobson

“As a family we didn’t like the idea of lots of produce leaving the farm and making it into landfill … but also we find we do a lot less trips to the grocery store,” Mr Bowen said.

“It’s forcing us to plan more, and less visits to the shop means we aren’t spending as much either, so we find it great value for money.”

Farmers Pick takes fruit and vegetables that the major supermarkets would refuse to sell but are still perfectly fine to eat, meaning farmers and families are getting better value.

“For our family box we were 30 per cent cheaper than Coles this week and our couple’s box was 18 per cent cheaper … so that definitely adds up,” co-founder Josh Brooks-Duncan said.

Waste is where Aussies are losing big – the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre estimates food waste costs the Australian economy $36.6 billion a year.

Furniture waste is also a huge missed opportunity, and frugal Sydneysiders are making the most of cheap resellers and hard waste collections to furnish their home.

It’s called Street Bounty, and the most frugal Sydneysiders are stalking Facebook groups and watching street collection days in ritzy suburbs to snag couches, shelving, beds and more for free.

One of these frugal folk is Pete Kay who, through a combination of extreme budgeting and savvy investing, was able to retire by 30.

The former pilot got some weird looks from friends and co-workers, but now Mr Kay says everyday families should consider his frugal tactics to save a bit of cash.

“You can look at real estate websites for suburb profiles and see what kind of people live in those areas, you want places where owner-occupier and families are the highest percentage, they are the areas where you tend to get the best stuff,” Mr Kay said.

Pet-sitting, or house-sitting, is a great way to earn cash and save on housing.

Mr Kay furnished most of his apartment using Street Bounty or cheap second-hand purchases, and cut down on expensive herbs and leafy greens by converting his balcony into a garden.

He also saved on meals by never ordering mains when out with co-workers, instead opting for smaller starters, and by taking home leftover plane meals.

While most families won’t be able to reach his level of financial independence so young, simply taking one of Pete’s tips like planting herbs can save money at the grocery store.

Another way Sydneysiders are coping with cost of living pressures is by taking up side hustles.

Pet and house sitting can provide a side income and also free lodgings, and markets or Facebook marketplace can be a great way to get rid of some extra clothes and make a bit of pocket money.

There’s one side hustle that many Aussies will be able to jump on, and it’s coming up on October 14.

For one day this year the Australian Electoral Commission will become the nation’s largest employer, with 100,000 positions across the country and 30,000 in NSW alone.

“They range from about $27 an hour to $52 an hour, so it just depends on what the role is,” AEC NSW state manager Rebecca Maine said.

No experience is necessary and paid training is provided. You can work a 12-hour shift on referendum day, or at pre-polling stations in the weeks ahead.

The AEC is particularly keen on hiring more people in the regions, and in Sydney around the Asquith, Hornsby, Ingleburn and Blacktown areas.

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