Savings tips to make your dollar stretch further

Does it feel like living costs are always on the way up? Utility bills, food and petrol costs never go away so it’s essential to know how to save a dollar where you can.

Start by reviewing your finances. If you are paying too much in banking fees, it’s time to look elsewhere. The ME EveryDay Transaction Account has no monthly account keeping fees and offers access to your cash with no ATM fee at 3000 ME, Westpac, St George, Bank of Melbourne and BankSA ATMs across Australia.

Best of all, opening your first ME EveryDay Transaction Account means you save money even when you’re spending. Until May 1 this year, new account holders get 5 per cent cash-back on PayPass Tap and Go purchases for the first six months. And there’s no need to go to a bank branch to get started. With ME, you can save time by applying online.

Apps

There are dozens of apps to help you save cash, such as Motormouth, which shows you when and where petrol is the cheapest. This clever app has the potential to save you hundreds.

Apps such as Viber and WhatsApp could save you hundreds

Avoid mobile phone bill shock by using apps such as Viber and WhatsApp. Viber lets you make free calls and texts to others, no matter where they are. WhatsApp offers free texting. The only catch with both is call and text recipients must also be Viber or WhatsApp users.

There are also plenty of finance-themed apps. Want to track your spending or create a budget? Easy. Get started with Pocketbook, an app that connects with banks to diagnose your personal finances. It automatically categorises your spending making it easier to set up budgets and view transactions.

Barter for better energy

The energy market is very competitive and consumers have all the power. Be proactive and call your energy supplier to ask for a cheaper rate. If you don’t get the answer you want – switch.

But before you finalise a new deal, check whether you will be locked into a contract, if there are flexible payment options and if there are any exit fees. For more information on how to understand and compare your electricity usage, visit the Australian Energy Regulator’s Energy Made Easy website.

Group buying

Group buying sites offer discounts on a wide variety of products, experiences and even holidays. It’s free to sign up for services such as Groupon and Scoopon, which email you with daily deals at up to 70 per cent off stand prices.

Subscriptions

If you want to keep the luxuries in life while sticking to a budget, there are ways to do it cheaply. Check out Upshot, a coffee subscription app designed to let you drink as much coffee as you like in a week for $15 a week.

If you love reading your favourite newspaper or magazine regularly, buy a subscription to save money in the long-run. Better yet, ask for one for your next birthday or Christmas gift.

This content was sponsored by ME. Conditions, fees and charges apply. Consider if these products are appropriate for you. For more information, go to mebank.com.au or click the logo below: