7 fun ways to cut costs in your family budget

If you want to increase your savings in 2025, you might be looking at trimming your household budget. Reducing your family’s costs needn’t be a laborious or restrictive task. In fact, it can be a fun challenge that gets everyone pitching in. Here are 7 fun ways to slash your family budget in 2025.

1. Try meat free Mondays

Meat free Mondays is an environmental initiative encouraging people to reduce their meat intake by opting for meat-free alternatives one day a week. Not only is it good for the planet, but it can be good for your health and your wallet too. Try switching a meaty family favourite to something meat free and see how much you can slash from your grocery bill. Lentils make a great substitute to many meaty meals, for example spaghetti Bolognese, and you can pick up a bag for a couple of bucks.

2. Fiver parties

Attending birthday parties can be an expensive feat, especially if your child is going to just about everyone’s birthday in their class! But parents have found a solution to the pricey nature of gift-giving – a fiver party. Instead of forking out for an elaborate gift, attendees simply bring $5 to give to the birthday child. Collectively, the child then has enough to buy something they want, without the excessive waste or cost. Start the tradition in your community!

3. Toy libraries

Any parent will know kids’ interests change by the day, and when it comes to toys, that can get expensive. Toy libraries are a great place to borrow toys for a period of time before returning them. There are almost 300 in Australia, so check to see if there’s one in your area.

4. Treasure hunt at op shops

Op shopping is a great way to find value for a fraction of the cost. Whether it’s clothes, homewares or furniture, there’s always treasure to be found. You can involve the whole family and head out on a treasure hunt when you need something. Don’t forget to check hard rubbish collection piles on your travels too!

5. Plant a veggie garden

Veggie or herb gardens are a great family activity that gets everyone involved, and they can save you money over the long term too. For a relatively small upfront cost, you can grow your own produce to use in your recipes at home, and kids will love digging, planting and picking with you.

6. Hosting community swaps or lending drives

Community is one of the best resources we have when it comes to saving money. By sharing resources rather than buying them, we can access the things we need without breaking the bank. You could host a clothes swap, set up a Whatsapp group for borrowing tools, or batch cook and share the load with friends, family or neighbours.

7. Take advantage of free days out

If you take day trips that require pricey attraction tickets, convenience foods and souvenirs, the costs can add up quickly. But that’s not to say you can’t have a fun family day out for less. Check out your local library program for community events in your area or explore local parks and walks with a picnic from home.

Could you save your family money with your home loan?

Double down on your family budget efforts and find out if there could be savings hiding in your home loan. Book a free Home Loan Health Check with our lending team to explore whether your current loan is still a good fit for your circumstances. You could save thousands with a simple switch.