Coronavirus stimulus package: How not to spend your $750 bonus
For many low-income earners and retirees, the Australian government’s $17.6 billion coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus package could mean a bit of financial relief to help cover expenses, from groceries to the electricity bill.
More than 6 million Australians who rely on Centrelink benefits will receive a $750 payment under the stimulus package, set to hit their bank accounts from March 31.
The one-off, tax-free payment aims to encourage more households to open up their wallets and support businesses struggling to keep afloat amid coronavirus panic. It comes in light of fears that the pandemic could leave Australia’s economy in dire straits, as consumers pull back on spending and adopt a hoarding mentality.
“Our plan will back Australian households with a stimulus payment to boost growth, bolster domestic confidence and consumption, reduce cash flow pressures for businesses and support new investments to lift productivity,” said Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.
RELATED ARTICLE: What the coronavirus stimulus package will mean for Aussie small businesses
What not to do with your stimulus payment
The question then is how to wisely spend the $750 bonus. As tempting as splurging or comfort spending may be, those extra dollars are a great opportunity for you to whip your finances into better shape.
To get the ball rolling, here are four things to avoid doing, so you can make the most of your stimulus payment:
1. Don’t leave the money be
Although $750 may seem like a hefty amount, if all you do is leave it inside your bank account, you’ll be surprised at how quickly it disappears after a few purchases here and there.
That’s why having a spending strategy in place is super important, like adding the $750 to your budget and mapping out exactly what you’ll do with the money.
If you’re not sure how you’ll spend the bonus just yet, move it into a high interest savings account. With a savings account you can earn interest on your bonus, plus there’s less temptation to ‘dip’ into your funds.
Compare high interest savings accounts
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Savings Account
5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
CompareCompareSavings Account
Enjoy a high interest savings account with no account keeping fees to pay. Save up to 10% on eGift cards at over 50 retailers with Macquarie Marketplace. Multiple 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.
- Maximum rate
- 5.35% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)
- standard interest rate
- 4.75% p.a.(for $0 to $1,000,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus variable rate is available for the first 4 months.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must have a Macquarie Transaction Account to link with.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Macquarie Savings Account
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Mozo experts choice awards won:
- High Interest Savings - 2024
Savings Maximiser
5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Deposit $1,000 into a personal ING account, make 5 eligible transactions with a linked Orange Everyday account and grow the balance each month.
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
CompareCompareSavings Maximiser
Great variable rate every month when you grow your balance each month in addition to other eligibility criteria. No ING fees to pay. Save even more with ING Everyday Round Up. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 5.50% p.a. (for $0 to $100,000)
- standard interest rate
- 0.55% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- For customers who deposit $1000 from an external source into a personal ING account (excluding Orange One and Living Super), make 5 eligible transactions and grow their nominated Savings Maximiser account each month so there is more in the account at the end of the month than there was at the start of each month (excluding interest). The total bonus interest rate is available on balances up to $100,000 on one Savings Maximiser the next month after meeting eligibility.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must be linked to an Orange Everyday transaction account to receive the bonus rate. Where multiple Savings Maximiser Accounts are held, the bonus rate is only applied to one nominated account.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ING Savings Maximiser
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Bonus Saver
5.00% p.a. (for $0 and over)
1.00% p.a.(for $0 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Bonus interest for the first four months from the account opened date. No minimum balance required. No monthly or ongoing fees or withdrawal penalties. Manage your money easily via phone or online banking or via the BCU Bank app.
CompareCompareBonus Saver
Bonus interest for the first four months from the account opened date. No minimum balance required. No monthly or ongoing fees or withdrawal penalties. Manage your money easily via phone or online banking or via the BCU Bank app.
- Maximum rate
- 5.00% p.a. (for $0 and over)
- standard interest rate
- 1.00% p.a.(for $0 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening.
- Access
- BPay, Branch access, Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the BCU Bank Bonus Saver
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MoneyMAX Account
No Current Offer
4.70% p.a.(for $1 and over)
Yes up to $250,000
Unlimited access 24/7 via Banking App, Phone & Internet Banking. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. No transaction fees or monthly service fees. No minimum balance or withdrawal restrictions. Online access only.
CompareCompareMoneyMAX Account
Unlimited access 24/7 via Banking App, Phone & Internet Banking. Interest is calculated daily and paid monthly. No transaction fees or monthly service fees. No minimum balance or withdrawal restrictions. Online access only.
- Maximum rate
- No Current Offer
- standard interest rate
- 4.70% p.a.(for $1 and over)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- n/a
- Access
- BPay, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Branch access for deposits only.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Unity Bank MoneyMAX Account
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Savings Accelerator
3.55% p.a. (for $0 to $50,000)
2.85% p.a.(for $0 to $50,000)
Yes up to $250,000
New customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000.
Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
CompareCompareSavings Accelerator
Enjoy the flexibility to access your funds with no monthly deposit requirements or lock-in terms. No ING fees to pay. Mozo Experts Choice Awards Everyday & Savings Bank of the Year winner for 2024.^
- Maximum rate
- 3.55% p.a. (for $0 to $50,000)
- standard interest rate
- 2.85% p.a.(for $0 to $50,000)
- Govt Deposit Guarantee
- Yes up to $250,000
- account fee per month
- $0.00
- Maximum rate conditions
- New ING personal savings customers receive an introductory bonus 0.70% p.a. variable kick starter rate for the first 4 months on balances up to $500,000. Reverts to variable ongoing rate.
- Access
- Phone banking, Internet banking
- Minimum balance
- $0.00
- Other restrictions
- Must link to a transaction account
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the ING Savings Accelerator
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Your selected bank accounts
Or if you plan on keeping some of the money in an everyday bank account, make sure you've picked one with no pesky monthly account-keeping fees.
RELATED ARTICLE: Suncorp ditches account keeping fees on ALL deposit accounts
2. Don’t buy at first sight
From a $4 coffee to a new pair of sneakers, it can be easy to throw money down the drain for the things you love or crave. But spending your stimulus payment recklessly won’t do much to help you out of a financial rut.
That’s why when deciding what to spend the $750 on, separate what you want (e.g. eating out, entertainment) from what you need (e.g. groceries, energy bill) - and channel the extra funds into the latter category.
With essential expenses, it also pays to shop around. For instance, think about switching to a better value electricity plan or taking out cheaper car insurance.
3. Don’t continue the debt cycle
If you’ve got credit card debt under your belt, paying it off with the help of the stimulus bonus is a good idea. Just be careful that you don’t undo your efforts by whipping out your plastic again the following month, whether to pay your rent or transport fares.
A way around this is to put a portion of the payment towards your emergency fund. That way, you have a safety net in case something goes wrong and won’t have to resort to using your credit card.
4. Don’t gamble it away
It may surprise you that as many as 33% of Australians try to earn back enough money to clear their debt, by gambling or entering the lottery.
But taking your chances at the casino is certainly not the money savvy way to spend your stimulus bonus - for one, there’s no guaranteed rate of return, plus your odds of winning are incredibly low.
If you’re looking for a place to keep your money while also earning guaranteed interest, start your search with our savings accounts comparison page.
Or if you want to hop onto a fee-free bank account, then check out your options over at our bank accounts comparison page.
^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards
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