6 expenses you can ditch in 2019 that will boost your savings by thousands

Whether you’re coming out of holiday mode or looking for new year motivation, it’s the perfect time of the year to ditch old habits and set you and your bank account up for a prosperous year ahead.

Here’s six tips that will help you to ratchet up your savings into the thousands and set you on the path to not only a wealthier you in 2019, but a healthier you as well.   

The daily caffeine fix:

With quality barista coffee right at our doorsteps, the daily flat white or espresso coffee is one habit that’s hard to ditch. But according to the 2018 Square Australian Coffee Report, we are now spending an average $4.50 per cup. Why not challenge yourself in 2019 and try going without coffee for a month or switch up your routine and only buy a coffee every second day? This simple act could save you around $66 in a month if you go for coffee every second day and about $800 over 2019, which you could put into your savings account or put towards your own home espresso machine.

Potential savings: $16.50 (per week), $66 (per month), $792 (over 2019)

Uber eats your savings:

Wow! ABS figures reveal that Australian households spend on average $95.05 each week on restaurant meals and takeaway. Rather than buying your lunch each day, in 2019, bring a packed lunch to work two days a week. This could save you around $30 a week or $130 a month that you can put towards gym classes or recipe books!   

Potential savings: $30.00 (per week), $130 (per month), $1,560 (over 2019)

Shine a light on your electricity bill:

The start of 2019 is a great time to compare your energy plan to see how much you could save by switching. Don’t be fooled into thinking that all energy plans are the same. A quick number crunch with Mozo Energy Cost Cruncher shows that for a household of four people in Sydney postcode 2000 with a medium daily energy usage (around 17.3 kWh), you could be paying a much as $775 or as low as $459 per quarter depending on your energy plan and provider. That a difference of $1,264 in a year! So jump in and see if you’re in a good deal and if not, maybe it’s time you switched.

Potential savings: $105 (per month), $316 (per quarter), $1,264 (over 2019)

Lower your home loan repayments:

If you haven’t switched your home loan recently, there’s a chance you could be paying too much. By using Mozo’s home loan search calculator, you can browse through the hundreds of home loans in our database to compare loans and repayments.

Let’s look at the following scenario. Using the average new home loan amount of  $400,000 over 25 years. If your current loan has an ongoing interest rate of 4.35% with monthly repayments of $2,189 and you refinance to a new loan with an interest rate of 3.59% and $2,022 in monthly repayments. According to the Mozo Home Loan Comparison Calculator, over a 25 year period you would save a total of $50,267 by choosing the cheaper loan. That’s a yearly saving of $2,010 and a monthly saving of $167. Now think of what else you could be spending this money on!

Potential savings: $167 (per month), $2,010 (over 2019), $50,267 (over life of loan)

Cut down on the booze:

Aussies love their booze and according to a survey conducted by AIHW, households spend approximately $1656 a year on alcohol. Cutting back will not only save you some dollars in 2019, health experts also say that reducing the amount you drink can improve your sleep, lower your blood pressure and improve your mental and physical health. Win Win! The good news is that you don’t have to do this alone. Pair up with a friend or sign up to one of the many charity events like febfast, Dry July or Ocsober.

Potential savings: $32 (per week), $138 (per month), $1656 (over 2019)

Curb your sweet tooth:

We all enjoy a sugar hit every now and then but the scary thing is that most of us don’t realise how much sugar we’re actually consuming each day. Why not use money-saving as the reason for cutting back on your sugar intake in 2019? By cutting out a block of chocolate ($4), one box of sugary cereal ($5) and a small bottle of soft drink ($3) each week, you can save up to $52 a month.

Potential savings: $12 (per week), $52 (per month), $624 (over 2019)


Where to park your savings...

To make sure that you stash away the savings you make from your new habits, be sure that you set up a high interest savings account, which pays you bonus interest for making deposits within the month and no withdrawals. With online banking and the new NPP, your money can be transferred instantly between banks so be sure to shop around and find an account offering the highest interest rate.

Savings Accounts 2019 - last updated 28 March 2024

Search promoted savings accounts below or do a full Mozo database search. Advertiser disclosure
  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    High Interest Savings Account

    5.75% p.a. (for $0 to $250,001)

    4.40% p.a.(for $0 to $250,001)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Bonus rate for the first 4 months from account opening

    Reward yourself with a higher rate for your good savings habits with the Rabobank High Interest Savings Account . Receive the maximum rate when you grow your balance by at least $200 each month. No Account keeping fees. No minimum balance.

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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 four months.

    Competitive introductory variable rate for first 4 months (on deposits up to $250,000). No account keeping fees to pay. Multiple 2023 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.

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  • High Interest Save Account

    5.10% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

    0.10% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Deposit at least $200 to either Spend or Save account from an external source each month.

    No monthly fees on any of your save accounts. Split your money with up to 10 Save accounts. Set savings targets and track the progress of all your Save accounts. Deposits guaranteed up to $250K per customer.

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  • Reward Saver Account

    5.25% p.a. (for $0 to $1,000,000)

    0% p.a.(for $0 and over)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Intro bonus rate of 5.25% for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months, reverting to 3.25%. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals.

    Introductory bonus rate for balances up to $1,000,000 for the first 4 months. Minimum deposit of $50 and no withdrawals. Start your account online in under 10 minutes and earn interest on balances up to $1,000,000 (T&Cs apply). No monthly account fees, helping you save smarter and faster.

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  • Mozo Expert Choice Badge
    AMP Saver Account

    5.40% p.a. (for $0 to $250,000)

    1.20% p.a.(for $0 to $5,000,000)

    Yes up to $250,000

    Enjoy a bonus rate when you deposit at least $1000 per month with the AMP Saver Account.

    No account fees. Unlimited transactions when linked to an AMP Bank transaction account. Easy online access to your money. Option to link your savings account to an everyday transaction account. 2024 Mozo Experts Choice Award winner.

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^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Savings Account Awards

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