![Nicolas Butcher,Olivia O'Neill, Lucinda Chismon, Matthew Slate.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/u/m/c/l/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gvti8x.png/1493353222852.jpg)
Saving
![Nicolas Butcher,Olivia O'Neill, Lucinda Chismon, Matthew Slate.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/u/m/c/l/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gvti8x.png/1493353222852.jpg)
I spent three years paying someone else's tolls
![After getting a refund, Conal Hanna is no longer grieving for his actual cash, just his pride in his budgetary acumen.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/r/7/l/n/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvi9l0.png/1493016378953.jpg)
In our increasingly cashless society, it pays to keep an eye on what's being deducted from our accounts.
Meet the couple who bought their house with cash
![Monique Kinerson with her partner and child, outside the house they bought with cash.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/m/i/7/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk6cb.png/1492595133014.jpg)
These Australians paid for their house in cash and have two years of wages in the bank.
The app for reducing the tsunami of kids' stuff
![Children might be happier with a few signature toys.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/l/9/k/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvl8wu.png/1492529596758.jpg)
Three out of four Australians believe they are overspending on their kids by hundreds of dollars each month. And then there's the gifts.
Financial freedom through frugality
![Save money by shopping your pantry first, and avoiding pre-packaged food.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/k/k/a/m/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvk4q3.png/1492125578845.jpg)
How to get rich, happy and save the world.
Where to fill up the car before Easter road trip
![It pays to shop around for petrol before the Easter road trip.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/c/l/f/j/image.related.landscape.120x80.gviaeu.png/1491904237406.jpg)
Filling up the car at the right time and place slashes dollars from the long weekend road trip.
How offline viewing for Netflix and Stan can save you hundreds
![Drew Barrymore, left, and Liv Hewson at the premiere of Santa Clarita Diet, a Netflix original.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/p/7/1/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvfufs.png/1491532831280.jpg)
Watching just a handful of video streaming episodes on-the-go can quickly become expensive for your mobile bill.
15 things to do by 30 to create a better life after 60
![Young adults can do things now that will improve their financial future](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/v/e/o/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv4rbj.png/1491318509394.jpg)
Your 20s are the time to set in place some basics that will help set you up for a brighter financial future.
11 ways to save on the Sydney Royal Easter Show
![The Sydney Royal Easter Show is fun, but the costs can be scary.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/r/k/t/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvarko.png/1491116733469.jpg)
It's almost Sydney Royal Easter Show time again. The show, which runs from Thursday, April 6 to Wednesday April 19, is fun for the whole family, but the costs can burn a hole in the pocket.
Six money tips from someone who saved $1m by age 30
![Now Sabatier runs multiple businesses. But his savings give him the leeway to be selective about the projects he takes on.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/9/w/8/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv9iu6.png/1490844513171.jpg)
After college, Grant Sabatier was unemployed, broke and living with his parents. Here's how he reached his goal of saving $US1 million ($1.3 million) by age 30.
How to save on Easter spending
![To save money, Simone Plaza and her family are having a camping holiday this Easter.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/9/q/2/5/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv9m3b.png/1490932222275.jpg)
Don't let the Easter bunny eat all your savings.
How to lose thousands by trying to save tens
![You don't want to be under-insured when travelling as you can get caught with new expenses when things go wrong.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/7/4/0/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv73y0.png/1490681682379.jpg)
Don't trust third-rate foreign online travel agencies masquerading as Australian operations.
The true cost of loyalty programs
![Loyalty schemes work ... for businesses, but not so much for customers.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/6/6/7/d/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv660s.png/1490683102687.jpg)
Customer loyalty schemes are a great idea ... if you're a retailer.
Nicole helps… beat the April health insurance price rise
![Some health insurers allow kids' swimming lessons on extras coverage.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/z/3/s/a/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv4n32.png/1490686892858.jpg)
The strategies that beat the coming health insurance hikes.
Resale value to crash for iPhone SE
![Apple's quiet update of the iPhone SE has only bumped up the storage.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/o/g/z/f/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv4aac.png/1490218134797.jpg)
Even the value of the iPhone SE won't hold as long as other Apple phones.
To tip, or not to tip
![Tim Harcourt, author of The Airport Economist, says tipping was considered patronising in 1950s Australia. It has slowly ...](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/0/w/k/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv0wh6.png/1489973069487.jpg)
Getting the tipping right can be tricky, especially outside your home country.
Pay now and consume later for happier spending
![You'll enjoy the holiday more if you pre-pay and it feels "free".](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/c/y/x/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.guyj3t.png/1489714358685.jpg)
Spending money can be as painful as stubbing your big toe.
Nearly one in two couples ask for cash on their wedding day
![Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon and her bridegroom on their wedding day.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/y/0/h/u/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwxe1.png/1489610999988.jpg)
Is it bad etiquette or just common sense?
Comparison sites don't compare
![Shopping around for the best insurance is not easy.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/f/l/1/8/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwwii.png/1489533213674.jpg)
You're using a comparison site to shop around? D'oh – odds are you've just been taken for a ride.
Work with your weaknesses, don't fight them
![If you keep the quality high, it's easier to have just a little.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/n/d/f/4/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.guwoey.png/1489365180117.jpg)
My name is Melissa Browne and I am a chocolate addict.
The case for letting first home buyers use super
![Everything parents do to help their kids afford seemingly unaffordable house prices helps keep those prices high.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/i/g/g/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.guigi4.png/1490751646719.jpg)
What Australians can learn from the Kiwis about helping first home buyers into the housing market.
Do we pay more for hope than health?
![Australians spend more on vitamins than prescription drugs.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/w/1/r/x/image.related.landscape.120x80.gujalb.png/1487913589412.jpg)
Good health is priceless in theory but in reality it comes with a significant price tag.
Sarah Silverman's take on fart jokes applies to money
![Comedian Sarah Silverman understands that scarcity sells.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/e/9/6/w/image.related.landscape.120x80.gue8rh.png/1487430065670.jpg)
The comedian can teach us something in terms of restraint.
Valentine's Day? Bah, humbug!
![Come Valentine's Day, florists spruik long-stem roses grown in the Andes in South America.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/a/e/z/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.guad0h.png/1490958834898.jpg)
Let's be honest, there'll be a lot of obligation spending for couples this week. Roughly $100 per person.
How phone companies trick you into spending more
![Apple sells two models of the iPhone 6s so think about which is the best investment for you.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/q/w/a/9/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu68kp.png/1486508713001.jpg)
In the market for a new phone? You'll need your wits about you.
Focus on experiences, not stuff
![Enrolling in a cooking class on Thai cuisine highlights a personal enjoyment in Thai food and the desire the learn how ...](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/4/n/r/h/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu4ngt.png/1486081826377.jpg)
When it comes to spending money, we want the biggest bang for our buck.
Warning signs you're in financial strife
![Heed the warning signs to stay out of strife.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/n/i/r/4/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu3ppr.png/1485996190575.jpg)
If the festive season has left you feeling financially worse for wear, you're not alone.
Life's simple pleasures will make you rich
![Camping can be a great way to relax – and a cheap holiday.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/0/b/p/6/image.related.landscape.120x80.gu0aw0.png/1490958877334.jpg)
How to escape FOMO, YOLO spending and envy.
The eight rules to lose weight and make money
![Lifestyle changes need to be permanent for long-term success.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/y/v/n/b/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtyvmw.png/1485389182201.jpg)
Most New Year's resolutions involve losing weight and gaining wealth, and you are probably battling both as the weight stays on and the credit card bills start arriving.
How to avoid spending too much on gym memberships
![Many people are paying for gym services they don't use.](/web/20170501103337im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/5/j/b/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gtphuv.png/1484118082374.jpg)
Getting fit is often at the top of the list of New Year resolutions, but consumers have to be careful not to waste money on gym membership fees.