The cost-of-living crisis:
How you can save money.

Are you feeling the squeeze with the rising cost of living? Here are some tips on how you can save money and get through these tough times without breaking the bank!

Ensuring that you are controlling the things that you have control over is crucial. What might seem like everyday changes, like meal planning, can be an effective way to create positive change in your financial position. Eating out can eat away at your savings, so cutting back on spending will prove beneficial in the long run. Check out these tips on ways you can save.

Make 2023 the year you start writing shopping lists.

Before heading out for your weekly grocery shop, create a list of the items you need to purchase. Preparing a shopping list can help you avoid any unnecessary purchases and steer clear of temptation. Additionally, it can assist you in sticking to your monthly budget by researching any discounts, bargains, or promotions that supermarkets have available before making your purchases. Another effective technique to avoid impulsive buying is to utilise click-and-collect services. Don’t forget to take advantage of online-only specials and discounts as well. Check-out great half price specials for Woolworths here.

Try subscribing to a meal delivery service.

Image credit: EveryPlate

Meal delivery services make meal planning extremely easy and allow you to schedule your weekly dinners in advance. This saves you time, encourages you to cook more, and saves you money. You end up saving money because you’re not wasting food or ingredients. Because all of the meals are pre-portioned and prepped for you, you will never have too much of an ingredient. Meal delivery services are a budget-friendly alternative and can be excellent value for money. Making life easier, so you don’t have to think about what’s for dinner! Get up to $170 your first five boxes from Every Plate here.

Cut down on purchasing coffee.

For a lot of us, early mornings will often mean we crave that extra caffeine boost. However, deciding to cut back on these additional expenses can most definitely save you money. Try investing in a decent flask and making your coffee at home and bringing it with you on the bus or train and to work or when you’re meeting a friend for your usual coffee catch-up. Check out online discount coupons for free or half-price coffees in your local area here.

Wardrobe declutter.

It’s time for a fresh start. Why not spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon pulling clothes out from the depths of your wardrobe or storage, and figure out whether or not you wish to keep them. Any clothes that you don’t wish to keep you can sell on Facebook marketplace. This is a great way to freshen up your look for the new year, making room for any new clothes and making some money on the ones you no longer want.

Take a fresh approach to budgeting.

Create and develop new habits. Creating and implementing a monthly budget is a fantastic way to ensure you know exactly where your money is going and when. Make sure to account for activities and nights out, by making sure these are accounted for you can feel less guilty about heading out and enjoying yourself with friends. There are many online resources and helpful apps to assist you in starting this positive habit. Check out the all-time #1 Australian bestseller book, The Barefoot Investor, and get your finances sorted over garlic bread and a glass of wine and manage your money in 10 minutes a week!

Plan your holidays.

Whether you are planning a big trip away, or just a short weekend away with friends, planning for your holiday can allow you to better budget and save for the trip. It will also allow you to take advantage of any sales or promotions on flights or accommodation. Save on travel and holidays with amazing discounts here.

Image Credit: hamiltonisland.com.au

How to save money on petrol & car servicing.

Ever wondered how you can save a few dollars when filling up at the petrol station? As petrol prices reach record highs in Australia, you may be often searching for deals or delaying filling up your tank in the hope of lower prices. Check out these genuine petrol discounts available for you to take advantage of today here.

Taking your car in for a service can be daunting. If you don’t have a regular mechanic you can depend on, you never know what to expect or how much it will cost. Save money on car repairs and services with trusted and reliable mechanics using discount coupons here.

Plan inexpensive days out or nights in.

By planning inexpensive nights in with friends, such as a home movie night or hosting a dinner party for your friends you can cut back on spending without skimping on quality time with friends. Pizza Hut has some delicious pizza deals from just $3 available here. Alternatively, plan a day trip and go exploring and visit some of the great walks and hikes Australia has to offer.

Useful Links:

While you’re not in control of changing global market dynamics, there are plenty of ways to save money and manage the rising cost of living. Here’s a list of guides to get you started.

Housing Guides:

First home buyer guide.

Track home loan interest rates.

Australia’s best home loans.

Banking Guides:

Australia’s best bank accounts.

Free yourself from debt.

Paying too much on your credit card?

Energy Guides:

Reduce your energy bills.

Compare energy plans.

Energy saving tips.

Want to start saving more now?

Become a member for free at: shopadocket.com.au or download the Free Shopadocket App to find and redeem discount offers. Play the Shopa docket game for your chance to win great gift card vouchers every day!

The Best Kid-friendly Activities to do in Australia

Keep the kids entertained with a range of activities from indoor play centres to adventure-filled theme parks and zoos. Read on to find our tips to enjoy low-cost or completely free activities that Australia has to offer. Packed with family-friendly activities, including close encounters with wildlife, thrilling museums, and beautiful beaches. You and your little ones will definitely have an awesome time!

Roar and Snore at Taronga Zoo

Image credit: Experience Oz

Head out on a night safari to see some of Taronga Zoos Sydney’s 4,000 animals from more than 350 species during their Roar and Snore program. You can help during feeding time, get some up-close-and-personal encounters with the zoo’s animals, and enjoy incredible harbor views from the safari-style campsite. The next day, you can see some of the zoo’s cutest furry residents by daylight, like the red kangaroos and koalas.

Check out other great deals from Taronga Zoo here.

Cuddle a Koala

Image credit: Experience Oz

There’s nothing as iconic as cuddling a cute koala – and there’s no better place to do it than the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Fig Tree Pocket, Queensland. Kids can pet or hold the fuzzy animals – there are around 130 of them – or check out one of the other 70-plus animal species living at the sanctuary, like kangaroos, platypuses, and dingos. Plan your visit around one of the hand-feeding times for the kangaroos, wallabies, and lorikeets for an extra dose of fun (and photo opportunities with the kids).

Receive your entry & cruise discount offer for just $99 here.

Walking with dinosaurs in Canberra

Got an aspiring palaeontologist in the family? Check out Canberra’s National Dinosaur Museum, just a 15-minute drive north of the city. The museum features a massive collection of interactive animatronic dinosaurs, along with 23 complete skeletons and over 300 displays of individual fossils. Kids can also roam through the interactive dinosaur garden for an encounter with Canberra’s famous big dinosaur Stan the T-Rex.

Become a Dinosaur Museum member and receive special discounts on things like bringing friends, gift shop purchases, and birthday parties.

Village Roadshow Theme Parks Super Pass

Image credit: Experience Oz

Keep an eye on the combination passes and deals for the Village Roadshow Theme Parks on the Gold Coast. You can make the most of every moment with unlimited entry to 4 incredible theme parks with the Super Pass! It’s all the fun and excitement you could ever need on your next Gold Coast holiday. Get your 7-day pass discount coupon here for just $99. It’s cheaper than front gate prices & is the best value pass you can get.

Queensland is home to all the best theme parks and attractions, and you can experience them all for the best price by getting yourself a Super Pass you’ll enjoy all the best action in Queensland. With over 80 rides, shows, and attractions, there’s something for everyone!

Visit South Bank, Brisbane

southbank

There are so many fun things to do at South Bank, Brisbane, whether you want to spend a whole day or head in for a few hours. From family-friendly playgrounds and free museums to gardens perfect for family picnics and get-togethers.

There are three main swimming areas at South Bank. The swimming lagoons and all the facilities are free and open seven days a week. Streets Beach is the name given to the artificial beach and lagoon. With a lifeguard on duty seven days a week, this swimmable lagoon has a maximum depth of 1.8m. The lifeguard’s hours change seasonally, so it is worth contacting South Bank, especially in the off-season if you have little ones to keep an eye on.

The Boat Pool is a second lagoon close to Streets Beach with a depth of 0 – 1.1 metres. And it also has a lifeguard. 

Aquativity is the third water fun area at South Bank. This water play area is a popular spot in the hot summer months, featuring zero-depth with a splash zone with fountains, water jets, and tipping buckets. 

Facilities are excellent at South Bank with free public toilet facilities, underground parking (not cheap), and close to public transport drop-off points. You can also hire a stroller for a fee from the visitor information centre. 

South Bank offers two playgrounds. Picnic Island is a shaded playground located near BBQs and underneath a fig tree for all-day relaxed play. Riverside Green playground is the larger playground located right in the centre of South Bank. It features a multi-story play area with tunnel slides, hill slides, and swings. It is unfenced but with good visibility and plenty of places for parents to sit and watch nearby. It is also located close to toilets and cafes. 

Darling Quarter Playground: Play and Splash

Sydney has so many amazing kids’ playgrounds and the best part about it, is that they are absolutely free!  Visitors to Sydney who stay in the city or Darling Harbour will find the massive playground at Darling Harbour is an excellent space to let the kids run and play and burn off some energy.

There is a lot of water play there, some lovely river runs and splashing fountains, so do take your togs or a change of clothes.

There are several cafes and restaurants close to the playground, plus a kiosk serving drinks and snacks next to the playground. The range of play equipment is huge and suits children from toddlers to teenagers.

The one drawback is that this playground gets so busy at peak times, especially at the weekend. Get there early or late or during the week.

In Australia, you can have a great time without breaking the budget. It might sound like an impossible feat, but it turns out you can enjoy a fun family day out, with plenty of free or low cost things to do to help you save money – enjoy!

What Your Coffee Order Says About You

A waitress holding and serving a cup of hot coffee in cafe

You’re at the café, pondering the type of drink to order. Suddenly, you’re thrown into a philosophical debate with yourself about whether you’re a cappuccino or flat white person. Depending on the different types of coffee orders, you’re exposing a lot about your personality.

Continue reading

It’s Christmas Raining OFFERS

For those who missed some wonderful food deals at Thanksgiving, there’s no need to be disheartened. It’s pouring brilliant offers at Shopa Docket and we’re thrilled to be telling you about them.

1. Any day and at Any time

We’ve raved about the lip-smacking food before and today we’re raving about the same delectable food being served with irresistible family meal deals! Head over to your favourite restaurants and avail food coupons on your meal any time, any day. Let food be the love language to create connection, uplift your mood and satiate your palate.

2. Try the best restaurants in your city

Whether it’s a lunch date, an outing with friends, or your desire to indulge yourself in great grandma’s century old recipe, enjoy your feast at some of the best and hottest places to eat in your city. Since the business of selling sustenance is so lucrative, there exists a competitive market which is constantly lowering prices and expanding variety. With such a huge market to choose from, we always help you find new opportunities to save and try something new. Shopa Docket got it all covered for you! You never have to eat a boring meal again!

3. Good food on a Christmas

With Christmas knocking at the door, there is festivity in the air. It’s time to count down the final days of 2021 and roll into 2022. Irrespective of the fact how your previous year was, it is possible to end the year on a high note. It will take more than a few exciting meals alone to do that, but good food can’t hurt.

4. Fast Food Deals

Good eats don’t require a special occasion; sometimes it can simply be a reward for surviving through the week or even a long day at work. Delve into mouth-watering food and pamper yourself. Be it your birthday, anniversary or simply a craving to enjoy great food, we are here to spoil you with our fast-food deals and offers. Filter your search by season, holiday, special diet, meal type, popularity, or ingredient. From kid-friendly meals to budget-conscious family outings, avail our exclusive food deals and food coupons. Enjoy exploring dining at various food destinations. Eat it all from street food to haute cuisine and everything in between.

Christmas Food offers

5. We help you save money on your food bills

If you have a big appetite for dining out, Shopa Docket can make a world of difference to your wallet. You’ve found us as your perfect inspiration, one-stop shop for – family meal deals, food coupons, and fast food deals and all other offers and discounts. We pull together the best food deals from restaurants across the country. Filled with all the goodness, our food deals are inspired from those who have genuine love for food.

6. Craving for home made delicacies

In a perfect world of the curious and the hungry, there’s room for everybody. ‘Home cooks’ who cook and sell out of their home kitchens are adding a new variety to this super diverse dining scene, which only makes our existing diversity more exciting. Their focus on the foods which are inherent to local culture give you a window straight to the heart of many countries and allows you to immerse in the history of the place. 

7. Try local dishes

If you spend your holidays thinking about what you’re going to eat next, you are in the right place. We help you plan your perfect dining experience in the best culinary restaurants in your city. Whether it is a street stall or Michelin star excellence that is almost too pretty to eat, we do the roundups of the best restaurants with the best family meal deals in your neighbourhood. All you have to do is whet your appetite with plenty of local dishes. 

8. Plan your Holidays in the right place

If you spend your holidays thinking about what you’re going to eat next, you are in the right place. We help you plan your perfect dining experience in the best culinary restaurants in your city. Whether it is a street stall or Michelin star excellence that is almost too pretty to eat, we do the roundups of the best restaurants with the best family meal deals in your neighbourhood. All you have to do is whet your appetite with plenty of local dishes. 

For coupons, savings, competitions and exclusive offers become a member for free at: shopadocket.com.au or download the Free ShopaDocket App. Play the App Game to win vouchers.

7 Simple Ways to Not Break the Budget this Christmas

In a year that’s been financially tough for most Ausssies, the run up to December 25th can be a but stressful. Even at the best of times, Christmas can be expensive. The gifts, food and outings all add up, with the sum total equalling a gaping hole in your bank account. And often a financial hangover that lasts well into the new year.

It’s enough to bring out anyone’s inner Grinch, but there’s no reason to cancel Christmas! This year we need it more than ever! Instead, here’s seven simple ways to not break the budget this Christmas, and you’ll cruise through December with your savings (and your sanity!) intact.

1. Set a budget – and stick to it!

The first way to ensure you don’t break the budget is to actually SET a budget. It’s a simple first step, but it’s often overlooked. So, before you even spend your first festive farthing, sit down with a cup of tea (or wine!) and figure out exactly how much you can really afford to spend.

Once you’ve decided on the amounts you have up your sleeve for gifts, food and fun outings, don’t budge from your budget. No matter how ‘once in a lifetime’ the offer, or shiny the temptation!

2. Opt for a family Kris Kringle

Is it just us, or does the list of people you have to buy gifts for seem to multiply each Christmas? There’s family, friends, and partners to consider, as well and maybe workmates and favourite (and not-so-favourite) teachers. Then there’s the hostess gift for every drinks party, as well as a 6-pack for the postie… and that’s just the start!

One simple way to rein in the spending is to replace the endless gift swapping on the 25th with a family Kris Kringle (or Secret Santa). If you’re a newbie to this….the way it works is that each person attending is allocated ONE person to buy a gift for, and a gift budget is usually set. This means you might spend $50 on one thoughtful, well-chosen gift, rather than filling your trunk with a load of tatt and draining your dwindling bank account. You can get one family member to organise it and collect hints to pass on!

3.Shop early!

3. There is NOTHING that ruins Christmas Eve – and blows a holiday budget – like a last-minute dash to Westfield, trying to find a carpark with a shopping list as long as your arm. Gifts you had in mind might be sold out, and you’ll be left spending too much with over-budget purchases. So, make a list, check it twice, and shop for gifts and non-perishables well ahead….and chill out on Christmas eve instead!

4. Plan your Christmas menu and get everyone to pitch in

Playing hostess over the holidays? No need to do it all yourself! Plan the dishes you’d like to make, shop around for the best deals on ingredients, alcohol and snacks, then share the catering load. Delegate the remaining dishes to your guests, and don’t be afraid to make the proceedings BYO.

Everyone will be happy to lighten your financial (and work!) load and you’ll have more fun and less stress.

5. Be a deal detective

You DO want to shop early to alleviate eleventh-hour stress, but you also want to make sure the price is right. This means you’ll sometimes need to wait for an item to go on sale.

But won’t have to wait long! These days there are endless deals, two-for-one offers and discounts to be found throughout the year – and taking advantage of them will leave extra change in your pocket in December.

To make sure you don’t miss out, subscribe to the enewsletters for your favourite brands and stores, and follow them on social media for promotions like Black Friday and Pre-Christmas sales. Or for discounts and special offers on dining, hair and beauty, health and fitness, travel, entertainment and more? Take advantage of Shopa Docket.

You’ll find coupons on the back of dockets at Target, Kmart, Chemist Warehouse, Big W and Harris Farm nationally, as well as larger independent stores. You can also get these offers online, or when you’re on the go by using the Shopa Docket app ¬ making sure you play the app game to win extra vouchers!

6. Shop from your couch!

Shopping online really is a great way to ensure you get the best bang for your Christmas buck. It’s the easiest way to compare prices, and it can also give you bargaining power with bricks-and-mortar retailers that price match.

Playing digital Santa for gift and vouchers will also save you petrol money and aching legs. However, don’t forget about delivery fees and do take time to read up on each online return policy.

7. Give homemade gifts or experiences

All those new talents you honed during lockdown? Now’s the time to showcase them! Use your new watercolour skills to make your own wrapping paper or cards, treat Nanna to a loaf of banana bread, or give your cousin a voucher for a free guitar/cooking/tennis lesson from you! Handmade gifts or donations of your time are not only affordable, they’re thoughtful and memorable. So, don’t be afraid to think out of the box this Christmas!

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