Save money, year-round: 6 smart shopping habits for Aussies 

With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, many Australian families are thinking more carefully about how they spend. But wanting to save money doesn’t always have to mean cutting things out. It can also look like making smarter everyday choices and avoiding small costs that add up.

By building a few practical shopping habits and looking for the deals that are already part of how you shop, you can make your money work harder all year and feel more confident about bigger spending decisions when they do come up.

In this guide, we share practical shopping habits that can help you save money, reduce everyday costs, and leave room for the things you enjoy. To give you extra savings inspiration we also share instances where your RACQ Member Benefits and Discounts* can fit within these habits.

Our top tips to save money on everyday shopping

1. Make a list before shopping: Planning, patience and long‑term thinking often matter more than chasing the lowest price.
2. Pause before you buy: Learning to pause before making a purchase can help prevent emotional spending decisions or impulse buying.
3. Combine sales with existing discounts: Combining thoughtful spending with RACQ Member Benefits* can help you get more value from the purchases you were already planning to make.
4. Compare long-term value, not just price: Look beyond the cheapest option and consider quality, durability, and ongoing costs.
5. Maintain items to avoid expensive replacements: Regular care and maintenance of household items, appliances, and vehicles can help prevent costly repairs and extend their lifespan.
6. Use sales periods to put your habits into practice: If you’re planning to buy certain items, take advantage of even more savings.

Read on to learn how you can make these smart shopping habits a part of your routine.

1. Plan your purchases before you shop

Get a list in place and know your budget to avoid the impulse buys or convenience spending. Making a list before you shop, even for small trips, helps you stay focused on essentials, distinguish needs from wants, and avoid spending more than planned.

Examples of how planning can help you feel more in control of your budget:

• Since you’re already getting into the habit of planning ahead, why not let your RACQ Member Benefits* help you save even more on that weekly shop.
• RACQ members can save up to 5% on Woolworths Group and partner eGift Cards* and 2.5% on Coles eGift Cards*, helping reduce everyday costs without changing where you shop.
• If groceries are one of your biggest weekly expenses, small savings on recurring purchases can make a noticeable difference over time. Using discounted eGift Cards alongside a planned shopping list can be a simple, practical way to ease weekly budget pressure.

2. Resist temptation by saying “not right now”

Unplanned deals are hard to ignore. You come across an amazing offer, and it can be hard to pass up. Remember, impulse spending often happens in moments of urgency or stress, turning “too good to miss” offers into purchases you didn’t actually need.

Pausing before you buy can help break the impulse spending cycle. If an item isn’t already on your list, it’s worth asking whether it solves a real problem right now, and whether you’ll still want it in a few days. If you’re looking to buy something you need, that patience might also help you wait it out for the right time to get a great deal.

How your RACQ Member Benefits can help:

Patience can be a budget-friendly virtue when it comes to shopping for deals on things you need. For example, if you’ve been looking to get a replacement pair of glasses, be sure to check out RACQ Member Benefits*.

RACQ members can enjoy savings on a range of optical products at Laubman & Pank with eligible purchases*.

When you pause, you get a chance to check your budget, adjust priorities, and look around for savings on items you already planned to buy.

3. Look for ways to save on big ticket items

Large purchases can create some of the biggest financial stresses for household budgets. Finding discounts on these high-ticket items can translate into hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars saved. Before committing, it’s worth taking the time to research your options and look for any discounts available.

How your RACQ Member Benefits can help:

Planning major purchases in advance creates larger opportunities to potentially save. Always check out the offers that are part of your RACQ membership.

During May and June 2026, with RACQ Car Buying Service, RACQ members can save on selected Hyundai EV and Hybrid models, along with selected Mazda and Ford vehicles.^#

For families already planning a vehicle upgrade, combining research, timing, and member offers may help you save more.

4. Focus on long-term value and quality, not just the cheaper price

The cheapest option isn’t always the best value. In some cases, spending a little more upfront on quality, durability, or energy efficiency can save households money over time by reducing replacements, repairs or running costs.

For example, when it comes to buying a car, smart shoppers often consider ongoing car running costs, maintenance, and fuel when comparing the overall cost of vehicles they’re choosing from.

When weighing up a purchase, it can help to consider how long it’s likely to last, how practical it is for everyday life, and whether it will still meet your needs in the years ahead.

Examples where investing in quality may cost less in the long run:

• Buying cheap flooring that wears out quickly may end up costing more in replacements than investing in a more durable option from the start.
• Choosing a low-cost appliance with poor energy efficiency might save money upfront, but higher electricity bills and shorter lifespan can make it more expensive over time.
• Purchasing inexpensive school shoes for growing kids may seem cheaper initially, but replacing worn-out pairs multiple times a year can sometimes cost more than investing in a sturdier pair that lasts longer.

How your RACQ Member Benefits can help: 

Purchases like home improvements that you’ll get many years of use out of are an example of where spending money is an investment. But that doesn’t mean you can’t also find great deals. 

RACQ members can access savings at Andersens on flooring and window coverings*, helping reduce the cost of planned improvements while investing in comfort and functionality.

Making thoughtful upgrades at the right time can support long‑term household value and help keep ongoing bills under control in the future. 

5. Invest in small maintenance habits 

One of the most overlooked money‑saving habits is regular maintenance. Looking after the things you already own can help prevent costly repairs or replacements down the track. Small, consistent habits like cleaning, car servicing, and addressing minor issues early can often extend the life of important household investments.  

How small maintenance habits can save you money

• Tending to small issues like a chipped windscreen can prevent larger and more expensive repairs later on.
• Checking tyre pressure can help tyres last longer and improve fuel efficiency.
• Keeping up with regular air-conditioning maintenance can extend its lifespan and avoid expensive replacements. 

How your RACQ Member Benefits can help:

Vehicles are one of the biggest ongoing expenses for many families, so managing maintenance and care costs can play a role in overall household budgeting. 

RACQ members save up to 15% on selected Star Car Wash and detailing services*.

These member savings can help reduce the cost of routine vehicle care and make regular upkeep more affordable. 

6. Stack savings during major sales periods like EOFY and Black Friday 

Big sales events are a great way to put your smart shopping habits into practice. Having a plan in place before these periods begin can make a real difference. Shopping smart during EOFY or Black Friday often means focusing on purchases you already planned to make, setting spending limits ahead of time, and taking the opportunity to research prices rather than buy simply because something is discounted. 

How your RACQ Member Benefits can help:

Sales periods can be more effective when combined with savings already available to you.  

For example, households might look to “stack savings” at places like BIG W by purchasing items at sale prices using eGift Cards obtained with their RACQ Member Benefits* discount. For large purchases this small move can help reduce costs further. 

If you’re budget-conscious, the goal during sales periods is to spend smarter on the things you genuinely need anyway. 

Smart spending starts well before you get to the checkout 

Saving money doesn't have to mean strict budgets or giving up everything you enjoy. The best habits often come from small, steady choices. Planning what to buy, avoid impulse spending, think ahead, and find simple ways to cut everyday costs. 

Remember your RACQ Member Benefits and Discounts* 

For many households, using smart shopping habits along with discounts and member deals can make spending easier to manage over time. Groceries, eating out, home upgrades, car costs, and daily essentials all offer chances to save, and those small savings can add up when they become part of your routine. These member offers can become part of a smarter spending routine that helps you stretch your budget further.