Most people will tell you they don’t want to be rich, they just want to be comfortable, to not have to worry about simple things such as paying for swimming lessons, replenishing wardrobes at the beginning of a season as our children grow like weeds or that huge bill that just arrived in the mail. Not to mention being able to take the family on holidays occasionally or on a weekend outing without worrying about how you are going to pay for it. For some these concerns are a constant cause of stress and anxiety as we struggle with our weekly grocery shop or making a tank of petrol last till the next payday.

Here are a few basic ideas to make your dollar stretch further whether you are saving for something special or just want to increase your value for money at the checkout;

• Have a budget – and stick to it! It may seem small at the time but even  spending small amounts here and there will add up over time and could mean the difference between reaching your savings goal or not

• A weekly meal plan is a great way to make sure you don’t get half way through the week and run out of meat or vegetables to make meals. It also means you don’t have to come up with something inspirational each night when you are most likely too busy to think about dinner

• If you are on a tight grocery budget add meals such as rissoles, lasagna or spaghetti bolognaise that can be made from inexpensive meats like mince. You can buy the “Lean” or “Diet” mince for around $5 a meal (500g) and still have leftovers

• You might find adding up your groceries as you shop helps you keep within a budget – your mobile phone will have a calculator function (just in case you don’t want to walk around the supermarket with an actual calculator) – so there’s no surprises at the checkout and you can think twice about those unnecessary spontaneous purchases

• Shop with a list – not only will you not forget things, you can purchase things in order of priority

• Doing your groceries online can be a great way to focus on what you are buying and avoid impulse purchases, you can see what your total is as you go along and you can do it when the kids are in bed without leaving the house. There’s usually a small delivery fee of around $5 which most people find totally worth it

• Don’t be afraid of “Home Brand”! The ingredients they are usually identical to the more expensive brand and sometimes even manufactured or packed at the same place

• Remember if you don’t need it or would not usually buy it then it’s not a bargain just because it’s on special

• Unless you have a favourite brand, look for specials on expensive items such as nappies, laundry detergent, shampoo/conditioner or breakfast cereal

• Start your own veggie patch – the kids will love watching things grow and harvesting the crops and you will save a huge amount on your grocery bill every week if you plant the right foods

• Find a local market for other fresh fruit & veg & buy seasonally. You and a friend or family member can buy veggies such as potatoes, onions, garlic and carrots in bulk and divide them up between you. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll save

• Make your own Trail Mix. At the markets buy dried fruit or nuts in bulk as these can be expensive pre-packaged. Divide it into smaller containers for a healthy snack when out and about or at work

• Take leftovers to work to save buying expensive meals with little nutritional value

• Department stores always have sales on so look out for these and buy things when discounted rather than paying full price. It may sound obvious but why would you buy things cheap when you can buy them cheaper!

• You may not want to stock your whole wardrobe with second hand (pre-loved) clothes but you can get some great items from Op Shops such as the Salvo’s, St Vinnie’s and Savers so make the occasional trip to see what’s on offer

So while some of these may sound obvious, most people pay extra for convenience and don’t think about how these extra few dollars here and there can affect the bigger picture of your financial wellbeing. Why not try adding a few of these tips into your weekly affairs and see how you can come out on top.