22 April 2026
The cost of living is surging, with turmoil in the Middle East driving up fuel prices, and flowing through to groceries, travel and postal costs.
鈥淲ith prices rising everywhere, staying on top of expenses can be overwhelming. That’s why 糖心Vlog experts have collated their top tips to help you manage these pressures and save money,鈥� says 糖心Vlog journalist, Liam Kennedy.
糖心Vlog鈥檚 top tips on how to save money:
1. Shop smart for fuel
鈥淐omparing fuel prices is one of the best ways to save money. Australia has dozens of free fuel price apps and websites to check prices nationwide, and many states have upgraded their own platforms to make finding the cheapest fuel even easier,鈥� says Kennedy.
2. Choose cheaper groceries
鈥淭he fuel crisis is expected to push up food prices, so it鈥檚 important to shop smart on your grocery runs. In our latest supermarket report, we found a $25 difference for the same basket of groceries across the major supermarkets,鈥� says Kennedy.
鈥淥ne of the best ways to find savings is to spread your grocery shop across multiple supermarkets. By doing so, you can take advantage of each store鈥檚 discounted items and find the best deals.鈥�
3. Know your travel rights
鈥淚f your airline cancels your flight, you鈥檙e usually entitled to a refund or credit, but if you cancel, you鈥檙e unlikely to get your money back, depending on the airline鈥檚 terms and conditions. So, if you鈥檙e unsure about travelling, we suggest you wait and see what the airline does,鈥� says Kennedy.
鈥淭ravel insurance is essential for overseas trips, but amid the current crisis, it鈥檚 worth knowing that many policies don鈥檛 cover claims related to war. If you鈥檙e stranded due to a cancelled flight, still be sure to contact your travel insurer and provide details – they will determine whether your claim is covered.鈥�
4. Shop the sales
鈥淚f you鈥檙e planning a big purchase, we recommend waiting for the sales period to avoid paying full price. Last year, the end of financial year sales started in early May, with discounts averaging 20-50%,鈥� says Kennedy.
5. Reach out for help
鈥淲ith prices rising and scam losses increasing for the first time in several years, many consumers are feeling the strain. If you鈥檙e struggling, contact the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for free advice with a financial counsellor. You may also be eligible for a No Interest Loan to help with the cost of essential goods and services,鈥� says Kennedy.
