Money Saving Tips Beyond
Your Electricity Bill

While everyone's focused on electricity, gas bills quietly drain hundreds from Australian households each year. Here's what we've learned from analyzing thousands of energy bills:

• Dual fuel deals often aren't better - Many providers offer "convenience" packages that actually cost more than separate contracts
• Standing offers are expensive - Like electricity, gas standing offers can be 20-30% more expensive than market rates
• Usage charges matter more than daily supply - Focus on the cents per MJ rate, not just the daily connection fee
• Winter usage patterns change everything - Your summer bill analysis might not reflect winter costs

Pro tip: Compare your gas bill the same way you compare electricity. Look for market contracts, check your usage rates, and don't assume your current provider offers the best deal.

Telecommunications is where being a loyal customer literally costs you money. Here's what smart Aussies are doing:

• New customer promotions - Providers offer their best deals to new customers, not existing ones
• Bundle trap - Mobile + internet bundles often cost more than separate plans
• Speed you don't need - Most households don't need NBN 100, but that's what everyone sells
• Contract vs month-to-month - Sometimes no-contract plans are actually cheaper

Action items: Call your provider annually and ask for their "retention team." They have better deals than what's advertised. If they won't budge, switch - there's no loyalty reward for staying.

Insurance premiums creep up each year, banking on the fact that most people don't shop around. Here's how to fight back:

• Annual review is essential - Set a calendar reminder to compare car, home, and health insurance every year
• Bundling isn't always better - Sometimes separate policies from different providers cost less
• Excess vs premium trade-off - Higher excess can significantly lower premiums if you're a careful driver/homeowner
• Hidden discounts exist - Ask about no-claims bonuses, safety feature discounts, and profession discounts

Reality check: Most Australians could save $500+ annually just by comparing insurance. The comparison takes 30 minutes once a year.

Banking fees might seem small individually, but they add up to hundreds per year for many Australian families:

• Account keeping fees - Many banks still charge monthly fees for basic accounts
• ATM fees - Using other banks' ATMs costs $2-3 per transaction
• International transaction fees - Can be 3%+ on overseas purchases
• Overdraft and late fees - Often $35+ per occurrence

Free alternatives exist: Online banks like ING, UP, and 86 400 offer fee-free banking with better interest rates. The big four banks rely on inertia - don't let them profit from your laziness.

The average Australian household has 12+ active subscriptions. Most people dramatically underestimate what they're spending:

• Streaming services - Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Spotify add up quickly
• Software subscriptions - Adobe, Microsoft Office, antivirus, cloud storage
• Forgotten gym memberships - The classic "I'll start going tomorrow" subscription
• App subscriptions - Small monthly charges that accumulate on your phone bill

Subscription audit: Check your bank statements from the last 3 months. Highlight every recurring charge. Cancel anything you haven't used in the last month. You'll be shocked at what you find.

Food costs have skyrocketed, but smart shopping strategies can save thousands annually:

• Loyalty program stacking - Woolworths Rewards + bank credit card points + cashback apps
• Price matching - Both Coles and Woolworths price match, but you have to ask
• Generic brands - Often made by the same manufacturers as premium brands
• Bulk buying strategically - Only for non-perishables you'll actually use
• Shopping timing - End-of-day markdowns on fresh items

Weekly savings habit: Spend 10 minutes checking catalues before shopping. Use apps like Flybuys, Woolworths Rewards, and cashback apps like Shopback. The effort pays off.