Hole in your pocket? The totally avoidable money-wasters costing you $5,000 each year
17 Oct 2017
You might think your little vices, like cigarettes, a punt on the pokies or forgetting that you have a gift card at the bottom of your purse don’t add up to much in the end - but you’re wrong.
Mozo research has found that Aussies are shelling out an incredible $5,000 every year on avoidable spending habits, including things like cigarettes ($1,217 bill per year), food waste ($950 per year) and household energy waste ($511 per year).
“The silver lining is that these money-wasters are largely things you can control, which means you have the power to turn $5,000 of wasted money into $5,000 of savings,” said Mozo Director Kirsty Lamont.
“Changing a few of your bad spending habits can mean saving thousands of extra dollars, so it’s well worth the effort.”
One of the habits costing Aussies big time is letting bank charges pile up. Between credit card interest, bank fees and ATM charges, $1,200 a year is drained out of the average household budget - a whopping $10.4 billion in total.
“With our credit cards about to get another workout over the festive season, now is the perfect time to work on reducing your credit card debt and the interest you're paying. Transfer your debt to a 0% balance transfer card and work on clearing your card balance as quickly as possible. The quicker you can get on top of things, the better it will be for your wallet,” said Lamont.
Ready to stop wasting your hard-earned on credit card interest? Check out some of the top balance transfer credit cards below.
Blast debt with a top 0% balance transfer deal - rates updated daily
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Promoted
Apply By 30 May 2019
Qantas MoneyQantas Money Qantas Premier Platinum
0% p.a. for 18 months and then 21.99% p.a.
19.99% p.a.
$299 $149 in the first year
Receive 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,500 within 90 days of card approval, and an additional 30,000 bonus points after the first anniversary of the card. $299 per year. Special Offer- $149 annual fee for the first year, offer ends 30 April 2019.
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0% p.a. for 18 months and then 21.99% p.a.
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$299 $149 in the first year
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19.99% p.a.
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55
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21.99% p.a.
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3%, min $3.00
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Points are automatically credited to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Premier Platinum
Details Close
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Promoted
Apply By 30 April 2019
WoolworthsWoolworths Everyday Platinum Credit Card
0% p.a. for 14 months and then 21.99% p.a.
19.99% p.a.
$49 $0 in the first year
Perfect for practical spenders, pay no annual fee in the first year and save up to $50 on your Woolies shop each month. Plus new cardholders can score a $50 Woolies eGift Card when you spend $150 a month for the first 3 months. Too easy!
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0% p.a. for 14 months and then 21.99% p.a.
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$49 $0 in the first year
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19.99% p.a.
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55
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21.99% p.a.
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3%, minimum $5
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Woolworths Money Shopping Card sent every 4 months if enough points have been accrued.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Everyday Platinum Credit Card
Details Close
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Promoted
Apply By 30 May 2019
Qantas MoneyQantas Money Qantas Premier Everyday
0% p.a. for 9 months and then 21.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 9 months then 19.99% p.a.
$49
20,000 bonus points if you apply by 30 May 2019 and spend $3,000 in the first 90 days. 0% purchase rate for first 9 months (19.99% afterwards).
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0% p.a. for 9 months and then 21.99% p.a.
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$49
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0% p.a. for 9 months then 19.99% p.a.
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55
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21.99% p.a.
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3%, min $3.00
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Points are automatically credited to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Premier Everyday
Details Close
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Promoted
Apply By 06 May 2019
American Express
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 20.74% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
20.74% p.a.
$450
Receive a whopping 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 6 May 2019, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. This offer is available to new Card Members only. For eligibility, simply earn above $65,000 and have a good credit score. Credit Card Provider of the Year in the Mozo Experts Choice Awards 2018.^
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0% p.a. for 12 months and then 20.74% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
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$450
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20.74% p.a.
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44
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Points are automatically credited to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Qantas Ultimate Card
Details Close
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Promoted
Apply By 30 April 2019
HSBC HSBC Platinum Credit Card
0% p.a. for 22 months and then 21.99% p.a.
19.99% p.a.
$129 Refunded when you spend over $6,000 p.a
0% p.a. on balance transfers for 22 months. Conditions apply. Travel like a high-flier with 2 airport lounge passes every year.
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0% p.a. for 22 months and then 21.99% p.a.
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$129 Refunded when you spend over $6,000 p.a
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19.99% p.a.
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55
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21.99% p.a.
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3%, min $4.00
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Redeem your points for travel, gift cards, retail rewards and shopping gift cards.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Platinum Credit Card
Details Close
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