7 ways to save money during the cost of living crisis

Has anyone called you cheap lately? Well, we have proof of what actually makes you cheap.

Thanks to the rising cost of living, it is time to embrace our cheap habits without shame and apology.

I’ve spent my entire adult life trying to appear rich or, at the very least, a little affluent. Someone who doesn’t flinch at the cost of coffee or can order a round of cocktails without visibly sweating.

Since my university days, I’ve been spending $20 on brunch like I’m Gina Rinehart’s niece, but 2023 has forced my manicured hand, and I’m leaning into my cheaper side.

I’m trying to live like the opposite of Zoe Foster Blake and Pip Edwards. I guess you could say I’m in my Shannon Noll era.

There’s a rental crisis, inflation is at 7 per cent, and anyone attempting to secure a home loan will be paying at least 5 per cent interest.

It is time to swap luxury for thrifty, and I’ve come up with the best ways to save money during the cost of living crisis.

If you have better ways, please don’t be rude and try and upstage me – keep them to yourself.

1. Always carry a spare Tupperware container in your handbag

I’ve not attended a family event without someone running an elaborate scheme to get the leftovers home.

If you want to see a criminal mastermind at work, just ask your Nan to help smuggle you a croissant out of a buffet.

Often restaurants are very chill and will happily let you take away leftovers, but that isn’t always the case – and you can’t just give up.

It is time to come to any event armed and dangerous with some Tupperware. Any untouched food needs to go straight into the container.

Times are tough and we all need to be mini food smugglers. I don’t care if it is a bottomless brunch.

You need to stay vigilant.

While Beth is drunkenly telling you about why she misses her ex - it is time bag those Arancini balls.

That is dinner sorted without spending an extra cent.

Tomatoes might have to go!

The Tupperware container is the new must-have.

2. Stop buying things just because you always do

We all know everything is more expensive but there are some things that have ballooned thanks to inflation, supply chain issues and other pressures.

It is time to take a stand and stop mindlessly buying stuff. So yes, tomatoes are expensive at the moment. As they say in Netball, pivot. You can survive without tomatoes.

Obviously if they inflate potato gems – that isn’t something any sane person can live without, so we will find a work-around.

If you aren’t obsessed with a grocery item that has surged, it is time to leave it in the dust until it becomes affordable again.

If Kochie can break-up with Sunrise - you can consciously uncouple from tomatoes.

3. Buy the lunch special

I know some cruel taskmasters aka our Boomer parents will insist that we have to cut out takeaway to survive.

We need to be realistic though and expect that occasionally you’re going to need a treat to brighten your day.

So, here’s what you need to do.

Don’t order your favourite cuisine at night time and pay a premium. Use your lunch break to sniff out a lunch special like a hound - buy it and then have it for dinner. Genius.

4. You can only shop for two hours

Most shopping centres have a two-hour free parking rule and then it usually costs $10 after that at the very least.

So it is time to get your shopping time down.. You need to treat going to the mall like your high school beep test.

I know it is difficult trying to jam everything in but just pretend heading into the mall is like starring on 10’s Amazing Race.

Your paws should be carrying keep cups.

We all know you splurged on a Frank Green bottle - you need to use it.

5. Bring your own coffee everywhere

It is time to get a little shameless and just travel everywhere with your Frank Green Coffee Cup. You spent like $40 on it, so it is time to put it to good use.

Take it everywhere.

Even sneak it into a cafe if you can. Now, is not the time to be shy.

We need to be confident in these inflated times - I’m talking man with an average idea confident.

6. Kmart is your friend

Before things got bad I was getting anti-Kmart.

I was sick of buying so much stuff just because it was cheap but honestly, at this point I can’t afford anything besides Aldi and Kmart.

I’m back baby and you’ll see me shopping up a storm and buying $3 T-shirts.

The old me would have judged me too!

But the new me just got my credit card statement for the month and that would send anyone out of boutiques and back to Kmart. Who hasn’t had standards, until their bill arrived?

Time to head back to Kmart. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin

And start boiling rice.

7. Boil your own rice

Rice is always expensive and if you’ve ordered Thai or Chinese you are already giving the budget a bash.

So boil your own rice - it’ll save you easily $10 dollars and you can put that $10 towards buying Taylor Swift tickets.

Or you know ... saving for a house.