A candid Reddit discussion has illuminated the surprisingly simple lifestyle changes Australians are making to reclaim their finances during an unrelenting cost-of-living crisis. The thread, which exploded with hundreds of responses, reveals that many have identified and eliminated everyday habits that were quietly draining their bank accounts.
The Subscription Purge
The conversation was sparked by an original poster who, after scrutinising their spending, realised significant sums were disappearing on barely-used subscriptions. Cutting several at the start of the year resulted in extra cash accumulating without any noticeable loss of enjoyment. This prompted a wider community rethink about so-called 'cheap' subscriptions that compound frighteningly fast.
Many respondents reported undergoing a ruthless cull, with streaming services often the first to go. Some cancelled everything except a single music application, while others abandoned paid music entirely after a subscription lapsed and they simply couldn't be bothered updating the payment details. A more ideological approach saw some cutting all subscriptions and online orders from large corporations they felt were not acting in good faith, reporting improved financial and ethical wellbeing.
Takeaway Temptations Tamed
Takeaway food and coffee emerged as major casualties. One commenter admitted to stopping orders for $30 pizzas, opting instead for supermarket frozen bases topped at home. Others ditched buying lunch altogether, finding homemade sandwiches surprisingly satisfying, especially when considering the $15 saved on an equivalent purchased meal.
Fast-food breakfasts and drive-through coffees were also abandoned, with users describing the routine as stressful, expensive, and often disappointing. They found instant coffee and toast from home to be cheaper, quicker, and far less frustrating. The daily barista-made coffee habit was identified as a significant drain, with one person noting a small home coffee machine purchased over Christmas had already saved at least $40 per week, producing coffee good enough that café-made cups were not missed at all. Others limited takeaway coffees to a single weekly treat, choosing to dine in and savour the experience.
Broader Lifestyle Adjustments
Alcohol and Social Spending
Alcohol was another major expense quietly eliminated. One person credited Dry January with transforming how they felt, admitting they were unsure if they missed drinking at all. Another, who quit alcohol over two years ago, reported staggering compounded savings, not just from the drinks themselves but from the knock-on costs like late-night rideshares, takeaway orders, and impulse purchases that typically followed.
Fashion and Beauty
Savings also came from the realms of clothing and beauty. Several Australians committed to buying only second-hand clothing for the year, noting how easy it was to drop $100 on just a couple of new items. Exceptions were made for practical items like workwear and running shoes, but the shift away from fast fashion was described as eye-opening. Beauty enthusiasts tightened their reins by using up existing makeup, stretching salon appointments, and repurposing products instead of buying new ones. Some found that paying cash for services like nails or lashes helped keep spending in check.
Technology and Entertainment
Technology and entertainment were not spared. Some stopped buying new computer games, acknowledging they already owned more than they could realistically play. Another revealed a switch back to Android phones, citing better value for money and more flexibility when saving was the priority. In an extreme example, one Australian who moved house decided not to reconnect Wi-Fi at all, instead upgrading their mobile plan to bank data, with plans to downgrade once the deal expired.
The Psychology of Spending
The overwhelming theme running through the hundreds of responses was that many of these expenses had become unconscious habits rather than deliberate choices. Walking away from luxuries once considered untouchable has been described as oddly liberating. The collective insight suggests that during financial pressure, scrutinising everyday routines can reveal substantial, painless opportunities for saving, with many finding they do not miss the forgone expenses at all.
