I’ve been looking for a new bank since HSBC announced they’re leaving retail banking in Australia (RIP 2% cashback). I know ING usually run sign up bonuses but discovered they’re currently doing a massive $400 sign up.

You have to be a new customer, open a Savings Booster AND Orange Everyday account, while using their code INGNEW400.

In the first month deposit $1k into the everyday account, get $200.

In the second month deposit $1k and make 5 eligible card transactions, get another $100.

In the third month, repeat the $1k deposit and 5 eligible card transactions, and you’ll get another $100.

As an added bonus their savings booster account has up to 6.25% p.a. Variable interest rate for the first 4 months, which then drops down to 5.65%.

I’m not affiliated with them and make no money through the code (other than using it myself). Link above leads directly to their campaigns page but you can also just google ING $400 bonus and go from there.

Hi everyone,
I’m looking to purchase a smaller manual(?) coffee machine for my boyfriends birthday and would love some advice regarding the below coffee machines as I am super stuck on which one to get.
- Breville bambino
- Breville bambino plus
- Breville barista express
- delonghi la specialista Arte

I’m aware some of these options require a separate grinder. Am I better off with one with a grinder or separate?
All of the above are within my ideal price range.

Right now I have a vodafone postpaid plan for about $45 a month. I am moving overseas but I would like to keep my australian number active to receive OTP or receive calls.

What are my cheapest options? I would of course have a local number for main usage of data and calls.

Anyone else buy something cheap thinking they'd replace it later but just end up keeping it?

When I moved into my apartment I didn't wanna spend too much on furniture yet so I got this like cardboard bed frame just to get by for a bit.

Been a few months and I'm still using it lol. Honestly it's been fine so far. N weird noises or anything. Plus it hasn't collapsed on me so yay. Was also super easy to carry upstairs and put together. I dreaded bringing furniture upstairs before that. Took like a few mins and I didn't even need any tools.

I didn't wanna spend too much on something I might or might not replace and it worked out for me in the end.

Anyone else had something like this happen?

I have an Amazon gift card to spend but honestly nothing I see is much cheaper than the stores. Are there any hidden gems on Amazon, that are cheaper then in store or other online places?

My 96 year old nan has a phone purely for us to check on her when she goes on her old lady tour groups.

She doesnt use the internet.

Shes on optus 365 day plan and its going up. She won't change her number but happy to change providers etc and number port.

What's the best for an old fossil who just wants a phone call and send a text here and there?

Hey r/AUfrugal!

I created https://gridrates.com.au as I was a bit frustrated with the existing options being either too simplistic or platforms built specifically to farm emails and leads for marketers. Gridrates is 100% free to use with no email gating.

I know https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/ exists and it is a great option for seeing what's available it just required a lot of back and forth navigation in order to make changes to filters and really compare between plans and usage patterns (e.g. EV charging on/off peak).

When I built this I was basically thinking: Energy made easy but more like a spreadsheet where I can filter, sort, and model different usage behavior.

PS The upload bill option only works for a small handful of retailers. I'll expand coverage for more as soon as I can! Personally finding the estimate calculator to be quite accurate in the meantime.

My phone plan provider (belong) has raised the price of my phone bill and I can't afford it anymore, so I'm swapping to another provider that has a cheaper plan, however I've got over 380gb of data that will disappear when I do... Belong has the option to "gift data to a friend" and I would much prefer to give it to someone else and have it be useful rather than let it go to waste

I’m thinking about getting a bread maker as a cost saving measure, those of you with bread makers, what do you wish someone said to you, or what would you tell your past self? also, some questions:

• how hard is it to make good bread? as in finding a recipe etc.
• did you stick with it, and how often do you buy bread?
• Weve got Solar so running it during the day would be super, extra cheap, how much does it cost to run?

No judgment folks, but to be honest I am in a place where I can’t afford tickets to events or shows or museums anymore they are ridiculously overpriced these days and income hasn’t gone up at all despite all the hyperinflation and bracket creep:

If we buy concession or student tickets do you ever get checked for healthcard or student card is it a decent way for those on lower income but not low enough to qualify to offer tickets ?

I finally stopped buying a coffee every time I was out. I still get one occasionally because I enjoy it, but it’s no longer an everyday thing. Even replacing most of those coffees with one made at home has made a noticeable difference over a few months.

I just came across it using zyft and some things like good brand vitamins are half the usual price.

Anyway, I have put in an order and will see, hopefully not out of date or anything.

I've mostly bought chicken breast because it's easy, but the price has become a bit painful. People keep saying to buy a whole chicken and use it for multiple meals, including making stock from the bones. Sounds sensible, but I have no idea how much meat you actually get out of one once everything is done. If you do this regularly, what meals do you get out of a single chicken?

The expensive part for me was never really planned takeaway. It was getting home tired and thinking I couldn’t be bothered cooking anything. I started keeping a few easy things in the freezer and cupboard specifically for those nights. Nothing fancy, just stuff I can have on the table in 10 minutes. Way cheaper than ordering food because I’m tired.

Post went viral in r/AussieFrugal so thought I'd post here too

I've started looking at how often I replace things rather than just comparing prices at the checkout. A cheap phone cable that stops working after two months can end up costing more than a decent one that lasts a couple of years.

I'm trying to apply the same thinking to shoes, kitchen gear and everyday household items. Obviously, paying more doesn't guarantee better quality either, so reviews and repairability matter.

One thing I find useful is asking myself how often I'll actually use something before deciding whether the cheaper option is worth it.

What's something you initially thought was too expensive but ended up saving you money because it lasted?

Driving across town to save $3 on petrol. Buying cheap shoes that fall apart. Bulk buying food you never finish. What's one clever little saving trick that turned out to be a complete waste of money?

So we're moving from London to Sydney in a few months. Job's confirmed, visa's sorted, the whole thing is actually happening. Now comes the part nobody warns you about: deciding what's worth dragging across the planet

Here's my dilemma. Basically we've got a sofa and a bed. Not ikea specials but some proper stuff. The sofa was a custom thing we saved for ages to buy. The bed frame is solid oak and weighs about the same as a small car. And the mattress? That mattress is the only reason my back doesn't hate me. It took me three years to find one that actually works. So I'm not exaggerating when I say I'd genuinely grieve it

But here's the thing. I've been getting quotes, and I'm not sure shipping these two things alone makes any financial sense. By the time you add up the container space, the packing, the insurance, and whatever surprises customs throws at you, the number starts looking a lot like "just buy new stuff in Sydney." Which feels insane to say about furniture I actually love

So now I'm stuck between 2 options. Pay for a container and ship the stuff we care about. Or sell everything, show up in Sydney with a suitcase, and rebuild from scratch. Part of me likes the clean-slate idea. Very liberating. Very dramatic. But then I remember the sofa, the mattress and I hesitate.

I keep see removals to Australia options, and some people who moved from the UK recommend PSS removals. But in my case will it pay off? Like, do people ship furniture that far and feel good about it after?

And what about the practical side? Do things arrive damaged? Does customs care about a used mattress? Am I going to pay half its value just to get it through the door?

Posting for anyone who needs help and support.
To access the free psychologist appointments you need a Mental Health Care Plan from a bulk billing GP. You can use Google to find a free Telehealth one or go to any in person.
Then submit the plan and referral to MeHelp, Access Online, Goodminds, or another bulk billing psychology site and book in with them.
Initially your MHCP covers the first 6 sessions, then you can book another GP appointment to access another 4.
I use MeHelp and am lucky enough to FaceTime with the same psychologist every 6 weeks or so and it really does help.
Remember help is available, and it ain’t weak to speak!

https://www.goodminds.com.au

https://www.mehelp.com.au

https://www.accesshealthonline.com.au

We once needed 5 off-street parking spots but since the kids moved out three have been vacant. So I'd like to generate some passive income from them and wondering about listing them on Near Space or something similar.

AFAIK other platforms handle the payments less a significant commission but this one seems to be free. Anyone tried this already? Any pitfalls or suggestions? They don't indicate how payments work so I'm guessing I just ask for cash in advance for however long someone plans to use it/them.

The only obvious concern is what happens if they pay for 1 month and disappear for 3 months (or forever)? They could drive off without paying for the extra time unless I disable the vehicle or eventually I'd have to dispose of it as abandoned. Please let me know if you've had a good (or bad) experience doing this.

About to move out of home into my own place (FHB) in Melbourne. What are some ways I can save money now that I have to pay all of my expenses on my own + mortgage?

How are we Melbournians saving money in today’s climate with rising interest rates and costs of living ? I would love to know what you guys do to save on money and tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated!