![Kate Robertson discovered she was saving thousands when she was forced to stop drinking because of long-term medication.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/a/w/8/7/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gwez3y.png/1496102679041.jpg)
Saving
![Kate Robertson discovered she was saving thousands when she was forced to stop drinking because of long-term medication.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/a/w/8/7/image.related.wideLandscape.460x259.gwez3y.png/1496102679041.jpg)
Why German speakers are prone to be penny pinchers
![Avoiding more "Schuld": The reluctance of Angela Merkel's government to invest if it means taking on more debt aces off ...](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/y/u/s/o/image.related.landscape.120x80.gwclm1.png/1495674281342.jpg)
Once again, it's the German speakers who pinch their pennies.
Why can't switching banks be like changing mobile providers?
![The Greens are pushing for full bank account portability, saying it will boost competition.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/3/x/r/e/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw7fdm.png/1495634288762.jpg)
You could be forgiven for getting a sense of deja vu when watching the stoush between the government and the banks.
Bank levy means home owners should shop around
![If the bank levy drives up mortgage costs, home owners should consider refinancing.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/3/9/m/v/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw39k4.png/1494948345537.jpg)
The budget came and went – so what was in it for you?
No lemons: how to buy a second-hand car
![Jeremy Becker, 23, did his research before buying his first car, a second-hand former fleet vehicle.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/c/i/i/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw2a6t.png/1494924560717.jpg)
Luck plays a role in buying a great second-hand car, but you also make your own luck with careful research and investigation.
What minimalism can do for your mind and money
![Many people follow Marie Kondo's methods to achieve a decluttered home.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/2/9/f/y/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw28xk.png/1494464794044.jpg)
I am a hypocrite. It's become obvious in recent weeks as I consider two competing – and conflicting – sources of inspiration I seek out through social media.
Where first home buyers stand now – all the help and hits
![First home buyers should benefit from some of the changes.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/z/s/0/s/image.related.landscape.120x80.gw1d79.png/1494475608157.jpg)
The government has made some concerted moves on tackling housing affordability.
Good savings all about the little things
![Nicolas Butcher,Olivia O'Neill, Lucinda Chismon, Matthew Slate.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/u/m/c/l/image.related.landscape.120x80.gvti8x.png/1493353222852.jpg)
Little things such as one or two takeaway coffees a day can add up surprisingly quickly.
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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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
![Most Australian's are confused by tipping etiquette, a new study as found.](/web/20170530103443im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/v/0/w/k/g/image.related.landscape.120x80.gv0wh6.png/1494641838948.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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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/20170530103443im_/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.