The furniture isn’t exactly the most durable, lifelong pieces that you will hand down to your children – but they sure do look nice, serve a purpose and save you considerably in the purchasing process.

So does buying IKEA furniture save you money or simply delay the inevitable of buying more lifelong pieces?

Well to me, I think I should clarify that the idea of a lifelong piece of furniture is like a myth. Furniture is there to match your house, increase your level of living and serve a purpose. What you need now isn’t necessarily going to fulfil your requirements in 2 years time let alone a life time.

IKEA catalogue

Whenever I flick through the IKEA catalogue, I seem to find so many items that I could utilise. It’s marketing brilliance, beautiful design at prices that make you think why not?

My thoughts are that although the quality and longevity can sometimes make you worry about buying from IKEA Australia – the cost savings far outweigh the concern.

The cost of buying from IKEA Australia

I bought two book cases to house my hundreds of books for $89 each, I could however have had a bookshelf built into my wall for a cost of $5000. The saving I made means that the money can instead buy me a new bookshelf many times over in my lifetime plus gives me that savings to better utilise towards my more current concerns – my mortgage and credit card debt.

Impulse buying at IKEA Australia

Living in Sydney, I often visit the IKEA Sydney store and find myself going there for a single item only to emerge from the mouth of IKEA with candles, pots, pans, glasses, pillows and more. IKEA manage to draw you in with the items you require such as bookshelves and have you walking away with hundreds of dollars in extra items.

Very clever on their part as not only do I walk away spending more money, I do so feeling proud of myself for SAVING money.

Verdict on IKEA Australia

IKEA does save you money. You just simply need to know what you require and stick to it. If you do decide to impulse buy, consider whether the items are going to truly benefit you or simply create more clutter.

IKEA has allowed me to setup my apartments as a student and now my house as an adult while saving huge money. I am not sure at what point IKEA will no longer be desirable to me, though for now I cannot imagine paying for furniture anymore than that of which an item is listed in the IKEA catalogue. Definitely a money saver if you play your cards right.

It is quite the art form, asking a question that you think you know the answer to – you worry that the person will laugh at you. What if I told you that by asking the unbelievable I was able to save myself thousands of dollars in interest, consolidate my debts and get interest rates that you will never see advertised anywhere? Much like my wife, you may be thinking it impossible. To the contrary, let me show you how I asked 5 questions that resulted in me getting a better deal than any other consumer in Australia.

If you don’t ask, you won’t get – here are the 5 areas you can save thousands on by simply asking some at first awkward questions.

Get a lower home loan rate

I rang my main bank, told them I had a loan with a non-bank lender due to their great rates and bluntly asked them – can you do me a better deal? If so, the business is yours.
The outcome was the bank offering me an interest rate that was lower than any of the advertised rates they have on the market – it was as if I skipped the line of general consumers and got offered a deal that would win my business firstly and make me defect from my current lender.

Seems strange doesn’t it that you can simply ring and ask for a better deal and they will gladly except. What you need to know here is that home loans are fiercely competitive in Australia – meaning the banks are willing to do whatever possible to get you to join them. Ring and ask them now, even if you already have your home loan with them – tell them you are considering moving as their rates aren’t competitive – watch them crawl all over you and compete to make you stay.

Improve your credit card situation

I have been living credit card free for a number of years now, although recently had to take out a card to help pay for a holiday. This means I have a debt, at a low interest rate and am now 100% focused on paying it off.
I rang my credit card provider, told them I wanted to transfer my debt to another company as my interest rate was high (it was actually one of the lowest) and that I wanted an interest free period to help me get on top of my debt.

The outcome? They gave me an interest free period on my debt, much like I would have got should I have refinanced with another company. That is big money saved.

Quit paying fees

While I was on the phone to my bank previously, I also mentioned that my everyday accounts all had monthly fees. I explained to them that a major bank was willing to waive these fees by simply depositing a minimum amount of money per month. My bank obliged and in turn matched that deal – I am now banking fee free with my bank of choice.

Making a big purchase (or a little purchase for that matter)

After coming back from my holiday, I needed to replace a camera accessory that I unfortunately broke. I went into JB Hi Fi, found the item (valued of $280) and told the sales person I am willing to buy right now if they can give it to me for $200. Sounds stupid right? They conceded and processed the sale. A saving of $80 in just 15 seconds, not a bad saving!

The moral of the story?

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Take a second to evaluate your finances, chuck a sick day and spend the day trying to improve your finances. A few phone calls and practice at asking the unthinkable can result in some big savings.

Spelling Mistakes

While it might grate or irritate, spelling mistakes could be the key to save a bit of moula. People spell the name of their item incorrectly are going to attract less hits, simply because people will miss it when they search for the item. Looking through eBay for spelling mistakes could be the way to get a solid bargain. Tools like Fatfingers and Goodfbay will be your best friends- finding items via their typos or items with no bidders on them. It’ll take you no time and could get you an inner edge on the competition.

Save Money By Travelling

Heavy items are specified often as pick-up only. You can maximise this by travelling that little bit further or seeking out a special deal via search tools like localbargainfinder. To ensure you’ve maximised your savings, work out how much extra the transport is likely to cost you and whether it’s worth the time. The cost of the item might also stay quite low, as there will be little competition if its a tricky place to get to.

Starting And Staying Low

People will kick off the bidding at some ridiculous price in the hopes that it will skyrocket with enthusiastic bids. With millions of items on eBay, however, it’s impossible that all items will go at high prices. Sometimes items get caught in the lull, either there are loads of similar items or not many people interested at that time. An app, lastminute auctions, searches for items that are going to sell within the hour and yet are ridiculously cheap. It might be a loss of the sellers but it’ll be a big win for your wallet.

Favs

Setting up your eBay correctly, and setting aside a decent amount of time to make a purchase you will continue to appreciate, could save you a large amount of money. If you are patient about the item you are looking to purchase, set it up as a favourite and eBay will get in touch every time someone goes to sell the item. Money Saving Expert suggests being pretty specific, otherwise you’ll get spammed with a million offers on items you’re not really interested in, but with a bit of time the perfect item at the perfect price may just crop up.

Don’t Get Caught In The Craze

eBay is addictive. Buying online can make you quite detached from the cold hard cash elements of your purchasing and, combined with the adrenaline of a bidding war, that can be quite the potent cocktail. Make sure you are well aware of how much the item would cost from other outlets and what your budget is. Breaking your upper limits on impulse will most likely be a regretted decision. Especially when the Led Zeppelin poster arrives, and it’s nowhere near as big as you thought it would be.

Unlike summer, where a ten dollar sundress and thongs will probably get you through most of the week, winter is a season that requires a lot of clothes, making it that bit harder to look trendy.

So winter is upon us, and you’re wondering if you could avoid a credit card repayment and buy some warm clothes instead. Personal finance writer Jean Chatzky, with NBC, says no. If your finances are stretched, new clothes cannot be on the agenda.

So how can you be trendy this winter if all new clothes are vetoed? Set yourself a challenge, that you won’t buy any new clothes, only refashion and renew your old ones.

Staple gung-ho

Separate your wardrobe into items that you bought because they were trendy, and items you bought because they look great and can work with a lot of different outfits. The latter should be dominating your wardrobe, because as often as people tell you that faux-leopard print will stay in forever, that usually proves not to be the case. Good staple items can be worn in a variety of situations, dressed up or down, and will save you a lot of money that could otherwise be spent on the one-wear-then-consign-to-oblivion variety of clothing. There’s no need to buy new clothes, just work out which items can be combined well and base your outfits around them.

Expenditure? $0

Brighten up your day

Winter is dreary, but don’t let the skies affect how your dress in the morning. Making sure that you’ve got one bright item of clothing on (or bright red lipstick if you’re feeling sultry) will enhance your outfit and your mood. People often seem to buy new clothes to try and improve their outfits, whereas all that is really needed is a bit of creativity and bravery. Go through your wardrobe and find a couple of bright scarves/ shoes/ earrings. It doesn’t matter what it is. Just add it to the black and grey outfit you were every day, and you’ll feel like you are wearing an entirely new set of clothes.

Expenditure? $0

Refit

If there’s a shirt you love but haven’t worn in years because of an opening seam, why not set aside a day to mend your clothes? It’s not too hard, and there’s tonnes of stuff online to guide you through it if you don’t know how. Shorten your skirts, and wear them with woollen stockings.

Expenditure? Potentially $1, if you don’t already own thread.

Retro

Leggings are the buzzword this winter, ladies of the 80s rejoice! The wilder the better. I know personal finance writers always say to throw (or sell) anything you haven’t worn in a year, but how many of us follow that advice? Bust out the classics, and incorporate them into your weekly wardrobe. Wear leggings, not stockings. Pile on scarves and hats. With a warm coat and shoes without holes (wet feet in autumn rains are never pleasant), the world is your oyster to accessorise. With creativity and a bit of a wardrobe audit, it’s entirely possible to dress beautifully this winter without spending a dime.

How do you prepare your wardrobe for winter without blowing the budget?

I confess myself converted. The level of comfort that can be achieved in a good pair of trackies is potentially beyond compare.

This realization led to some dedicated cerebral energy into how tracksuits could improve other parts of my life, most particularly, how it could potentially save me money this winter.

Cheap attire

Let’s start with the obvious- tracksuits are as a cheap as chips. You can pick up a pair for less than $10 and, considering they’re one of the more convertible items of clothing around, you can wear them all the time (other than to work, which may be pushing the tracksuit love affair just a little too far).

What can trackies teach us?

While clothing is obviously is a necessity, it is also an arena for impulse spending. Have a couple of staples, creative accessories and a nice pair of trackies, and you can stand in stead to save a fair amount of money.

Tracksuits love you for who you really are

If there is one thing that can be said for tracksuits; they’re loyal. They don’t abandon you and begin to fray should you wear them every day in a week. They also don’t judge you should you put on a few extra kilos over Christmas; they still fit you and comfort you, even in the darkest times.

What trackies can teach us?

Invest in items that are of long-lasting quality and that you have more than a passing need for. Spend your money on the important basics, and dispense with the peripheral items. Tracksuits are in no way peripheral items, just so we’re clear.

Classics never fail

Let’s be honest, while tracksuits have fleeting moments of hipness (think velour and hip hop), they are a stable rock in the swirling abyss of fashion frenzy. They are what they are and make no apologies for the fact.

What can trackies teach us?

Being trendy is fun. It also costs a lot of money. Stick with what you like, as opposed to the trend of the day, and you’re probably more likely to be wearing it/ using it/ flaunting it in ten years’ time.

Getting in the mood

While trackies may be an outfit for shlepping around the house, they may also be your exercise gear. If I’m wearing tracksuit pants, I’m more likely to head out for an early morning walk or jog. They’re everything you need to get exercising- comfy, warm, and easy to move around in.

What can trackies teach us?

Exercise is free and essential to staying healthy and happy. What can that do for our savings? Exercise can bring with it increased focus and a more positive outlook, two essentials to a successful saving strategy.

Cosy it up inside

Tracksuits say warmth and comfort. They don’t say a night out on the tiles (unless you have a unique sense of style rooted in the 1970s). Embrace the tracksuit, and embrace the night in that comes with it.

What can trackies teach us?

When you’re on a saving scheme, going out every night is simply not an option. A couple of beers at the pub with your mates or a cheap meal at the café down the road are wonderful, but they cannot be the default if you’re on a tight budget. Snuggle up to your loved one or cook a cosy meal, all the while saving your dimes.

How do you think tracksuits can save you money?

Ever on the lookout for a bargain, I turned my thoughts as to how a council clean-up might have the potential to be a money spinner.

One man’s trash…

So far this week, I’ve seen some outdoor furniture and a barbeque (nothing wrong with it, except it doesn’t roll too well). These things can come in handy should you be decking out your house. Council clean-up offers an opportunity to grab an item you’ve been needing for a while, or discover a need you never knew you had. All for free.

If you’re keen to grab some new furniture/ firewood/ creative inspirational object, then why not jump in a car during council clean up week and coast around your town, looking for necessary items? You’ll save yourself money, and brighten up your home for nothing.

…is another man’s treasure.

The vice versa also applies. Just because you don’t want something any more, does not mean that the person next door may not be in dire need of it. Council clean-ups provide an opportunity to look around your house, and think about what you need and what you can do without.

Do a good deed, and take the stuff that’s in reasonable condition to Vinnies so they can sell it on. Put the rest out the front of your house, it’ll be gone in the wink of an eye. You end up saving the money you’d inevitably have to spend at the tip should you need to dump it or avoiding the need to buy extra storage units because you’re out of space.

Use your skills

A broken bike is put out the front, to be picked up and scrapped. At one glance you know all it needs is a bit of work and it’ll be right as rain. If you’ve got the skills, why not do up some items and sell them on eBay and earn yourself some extra cash? There are some cool suggestions on how to turn trash into treasure here.

Get your garage on

Should you have the energy, maybe consider the council clean-up an inspiration and put aside all the things in reasonable condition for a garage sale. Hold a competition with your friends to see who can clean out the most stuff, and put it all out for sale.

Things you never thought would be appealing again, like your vinyls and your classic 60s clothes have never been hipper. Advertise on local telephone poles, and you’ll be sure to have the local alternative hippies turn up to rummage through your long-forgotten goods. You won’t be able to finance a round the world trip from the earnings, but you will be able to earn yourself a bit of cash to put in the piggy bank.

Recycling is now much more than putting your milk cartons in a separate bin. Why not get into the spirit and save some money in the bargain?

How do you save money with the council clean-up?

Each month we get a number of emails asking about ways to save money on Fitness First memberships, as everyone seems to have a close friend who pays nearly half of what the normal rate is.

The truth is, each Fitness First has the ability to give out discounted weekly rates and specials to help them gain membership; you just need to know a bit more about these.

Here are a few key points to keep in your mind when trying to get a discounted Fitness First membership;

Family and friend’s discount

This is your best chance of getting a low monthly membership rate. Each employee of Fitness First is given a set number of family and friend passes to give out. These passes tend to entitle someone they know to a discounted rate of $14.95 per week instead of upwards of $25.95 per week, a saving of $11 per week or $572 per year.

It is unlikely however that you will know someone at Fitness First, so here is how I managed to save $572 a year by just playing the negotiating game, remember – stick with you guns and play the waiting game. Fitness First consultants are incentivised by sign ups, so you are actually worth something to them.

1. Ring your local Fitness First.
2. Tell them you are considering switching gyms and your current rate is $15 per week.
3. Tell them that you heard Fitness First can match this with a family and friends discount.
4. They will likely try and play hard ball and tell you there are none available.
5. Let them know that the only way you will sign up is if this rate can be matched, even if it means you have to sign a 12 month contract (this way you are both giving each other a trade off)
6. If they do not put you on hold or say yes, tell them that if they could ask around with their colleagues and ring you back, you would greatly appreciate it, otherwise you will just stay at your current gym.
7. I did this and was rang back the next day with the rate I wanted.

A saving of $572 a year, not bad for 5 minutes of time right?

Fitness First have monthly targets – use this to your advantage

Fitness First use highly strung sales tactics with their teams; they have quotas to meet and like many businesses can discount their rates towards the end of the month to help them meet their targets.

Don’t be afraid to ring them a few days before the end of the month and request a lower monthly rate, perhaps even at the family and friends discount. They will try and say it can’t be done, that they won’t make any money at this rate, etc, etc, etc – just ignore – it is them trying to put the sales blind fold over you. They will likely want you to come in to discuss, a tactic that puts them on the upper foot. Instead, ask them to match the rate you have ‘heard about’ and tell them you are willing to come in and sign up right away if they can do this. If they still won’t accept, tell them you will have to try elsewhere politely and ask them to call you back if they can find a way to accept your offer.

Odds are they will call back on the last day of the month!

Fitness First passes on eBay

When people have special discounted weekly rates, the offer will continue to stay alive even after they decide to cancel their gym membership. This is why people put their passes on eBay for sale. I suggest that if the above two methods of bargaining don’t work for you, spend a couple of hundred dollars and buy someone’s existing membership – just work out how much you will save by doing so. A good rule of thumb is that you should not pay more for the purchase of the membership then the savings you will get from 1 year at the normal rate.

Fitness First fees explained

• Joining fee (this is normally removed; don’t be afraid to request them to drop it). In my opinion, you shouldn’t have to pay a company to join, especially when you are on a contract.
• Admin fee (this is normally around $70 or so and is normally just a sales commission for the person helping you, which is why they VERY RARELY drop it. They will effectively have no incentive to convert you into a member, so I recommend not trying to negotiate on this)

What are your experiences with Fitness First?

We would love to hear your stories about joining and saving money on gym memberships, any tactics we have missed?

Summer brings with it sarongs, thongs and (if you are lucky and don’t have my Irish skin) a tan. But if you’ve got a limited budget and need one thing to freshen up your wardrobe, what is the essential cheap purchase to celebrate the best months of the year?

Winner

Sunglasses

Clothes are of no importance when if comes to the joy and wonder of a pair of sunnies. You can wear them with any outfit, and they will also save you significant amounts of money on Panadol (as you won’t have to buy any because, with sunnies, you can avoid the glare migraine) and eye surgery later on.

They’re also relatively inexpensive. You pay a commensurate price to the quality, but you can pick up a pair that’s relatively decent for under $20. They also brighten up your wardrobe should you be so inclined, with this year’s pick being the heart-shaped pink sunglasses from Equip for $12 and my fake Raybans which I picked up for $5 overseas.

Runner-up

A hat. No matter how much I yearn, I will never have skin suited to the Australian climate. In the lucky instances when I don’t burn, I tend to freckle, and I dare to suggest that neither is very hot. The quickest way to save on yearly skin cancer removal surgery is to cover up and slap on sunscreen.

A hat will keep you cool and will stop you’re face burning up. Think about it this way- you’ll save on Botox in the years to come if you buy a hat now. Big floppy ones work a treat, especially when teamed with heartshaped sunglasses.

Honourable mentions

Thongs

A bit hard to ignore in the essential summer wardrobe department, pick up $5 pairs from Cotton On and get out there. Not only are thongs cost-effective, but they save on valuable time that could otherwise be spent undoing shoelaces. There’s no need to spend any money on them, as you will inevitably lose one in the sand/ surf/ river/ music festival.

A rash shirt

I am getting deeply into the uncool territory here, but why not make a concession to the amount you’ll spend on Aloe Vera to cure your sunburn, and instead invest the money on a rash shirt? They’re not hot, but surfies wear them and I would rather look like Layne Beachley than like the multitude of Lobster Brits that crowd Bondi every summer. Kmart and Target have these every year for a pittance.

A sarong

I deeply resent having to spend $30 on a piece of cloth that I know probably only cost $5 to make, so this year, I’m making my own sarong. I’m following the guide on e-how. I plan to tie-dye mine, and will probably not wear anything else all summer.

Let’s admit it; the greatest thing about summer is wearing the same board shorts and singlet every day. The only other essential purchases are sunscreen, a water bottle and maybe a discarded Dan Brown and you are on your way to the perfect Australian summer.

What cheap clothes item is your essential for summer?

Drop us a line and share your summer saving tips!

There is a secret resource hiding in most towns that can solve all your worries. Students at colleges and at TAFEs are desperate for real people to work on, and if your cautious trepidation can be overcome, they are a group of people you should be putting on your Christmas card list.

Here are a few of the things students can help with:

A sore back

Training masseuses need practice. If you’ve got a back that spins into dangerous territory very quickly, then stay away, but if you’re in need of a foot massage or some soothing hands on your head, then you should find a training massage parlour near you.

Cost

As opposed to $100 you’re likely to shell out, have a massage for $30. Book in for four sessions (or take 3 other friends) and you’re likely to get more off that price, and end up with hot stones on your back for little more than the price of the electricity used to heat them up.
Good tip? Get your partner a massage book, and get massages for free all the time. It’s an upfront capital of about $30 but is much better than having to visit the chiropractor if an impromptu massage goes awry.

Chipped nails

The new trend in pubs is Martinis and Manicure evenings. Sip away at your vermouth concoction, while getting a fluorescent green shade on your nails.

Cost

The only thing you’ll pay for is the price of your drink. In Sydney, the Chamberlain Hotel provides this delight every Thursday night after 5. http://www.chamberlainhotel.com.au/bar.html

Split ends, dulled colour or the Chewbacca look

Apprentice hairdressers need dummies and it’s a much better deal than it sounds. The students are often third years apprentices at Toni and Guy or equally established hairdressers will need a human head to perfect their already well-honed skills. Similarly, student hair stylists set up stalls at university open days or festivals and offer hair cuts for five dollars. It takes a lot of bravery to relinquish your locks to the whim of a hairdresser but from experience, I’ve learned they often know what I want long before I do.

Cost

Often free for haircuts, sometimes $10 for a hair dye.

Smell like summer

Can’t afford the latest Dior perfume? Myer or David Jones perfume counters are your solution. It’s a wonderful place to be, as is allows you to be as experimental or traditional as you feel. Get into the groove of a night out, or smell nice on your way home for a cosy night in.

Cost

Free as long as you can bear the barely concealed disdain of the poor people behind the counter who never get to actually sell anything.
The other option is to be really brave is to learn how to do these things yourself. The Internet provides ten million guides of varying levels of quality. If you want to really delve into the world of cheap luxury, Julie Gabriel has a couple of books and a website on the intricacies of making your own cosmetics.

All of which proves that you can have a little bit of luxury in your life without destroying your savings plan.

What cheap tricks do you have if you’re in need of a bit of luxury without the money to pay for it?

Any saving plan that functions off extreme denial is a sure fail as far as I’m concerned. Discipline, yes. Self-control, absolutely. Denial? After a week of stringent denial, the inevitable outcome is that I’ll have a quick look at Kmart and come out with several summer dresses that individually might have been affordable, but as a group have left a rather ugly dent in the weekly budget. It’s about putting together a plan that you can stick to, will get you where you want to be and doesn’t make you miserable in the process. Get a bit of street smarts, and you can live a pretty cheery fashion existence for not very much at all.

It was in this spirit that I carried myself off to Rethreads at Carriageworks the other day. Rethreads is a pretty simple premise. Bring the items you no longer wear (as long as they’re of reasonable quality) and swap them for items you would wear. Initially, it was a one-for-one system, but by the end of the day you could take whatever you wanted. I walked out with all these lovely new clothes that will avert any expensive trip to the shops any time soon.

Regular clothing exchanges

Such as Rethreads are happening all over the place, and are fun community events get involved in. Sometimes there’s a cover charge to get in, but considering the amount you would otherwise spend on clothes, it’s well worth it. Head to Clothing Exchange to see what’s happening in your state.

If there isn’t one happening near you, start up one yourself. Or have an evening where all your friends bring their unwanted clothes and everyone trades with each other. But only if you have well-dressed friends.

Other money saving ways to look fabulous is to get into the eBay world. A friend of mine sells everything she doesn’t wear with ruthless discipline and has ended up with a wardrobe of fantastic clothes she wears all the time, without spending any extra money. Everything she spent has been covered by what she sold.

Gird your loins and get out to the factory outlets

I don’t think anyone ever enjoys the factory outlet experience, but it is cheap and will help if you’re saving your pennies. Factory Outlets Australia is a reasonable inventory of the stores out there. Or get charitable. Vinnies and the like can turn up some absolute treasures for next to nothing.

Tap into the old school style

Make it yourself. In this day and age, the Internet has lots of free patterns. If you’ve got the hours, making clothes can be an exciting and stylish way to wear something new.

Check out:

• http://www.burdafashion.com/
• http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diyskirts/tp/Free_Dress_Patterns.htm for some of the best online patterns.

Sewing skills also come in handy if you need to update your wardobe.

Remember the most important maxim- no trend is new. So vintage stores, your mother’s or grandmother’s wardrobe or fancy dress collection is likely to turn up something that is so this season it hurts. Or get totally crazy, and start a trend of your own.

Where do you head to restyle cheaply?

Vinnies? Grandma’s wardrobe? We want to know!