5 Smart Ways to Save Money for Rent or a Mortgage (Without Giving Up Your Lifestyle)

If you’re living in Australia, you know the cost of housing—whether you’re renting in a capital city or paying off a mortgage in the suburbs—can be eye-watering. Saving up for that rent payment or chipping away at your home loan doesn’t have to mean cutting all the fun out of life. With a few clever changes, you can keep living well while putting real money aside.

Here are 5 practical ways to save money for your rent or mortgage:

1. Cut Down on Food Delivery and Takeaway

Food delivery is convenient, but it’s also expensive. If you’re using apps like Uber Eats or DoorDash even once or twice a week, those delivery fees, tips, and inflated prices can really add up.
    •    Try meal prepping or cooking at home most nights and limit takeaway to a once-a-week treat.
    •    Batch cooking (like big pasta bakes, stews, or curries) means you’ve got ready-to-go meals and fewer excuses to order in.
    •    Potential savings: $50–$100+ per week, or up to $5,000 a year

2. Review Your Subscriptions and Bills

When was the last time you actually looked at your monthly subscriptions? Between streaming platforms, fitness apps, cloud storage, and forgotten trials, you could be spending hundreds a year on services you barely use.
    •    Do a 30-minute audit and cancel anything you don’t truly need.
    •    Compare your internet, phone, and energy providers on sites like Canstar Blue (https://www.canstarblue.com.au/) or Compare the Market (https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/) to see if you can get a better deal.
    •    Even switching electricity providers can save the average Aussie household $200–$300 a year


3. Make Your Own Coffee at Home – It Really Adds Up

We all love a daily coffee—Aussies are obsessed with their flat whites. But your café habit might be costing you more than you think.
    •    Average café coffee in Australia: $5.50
    •    Homemade coffee (using a machine and quality beans): Around $0.60–$0.80 per cup
    •    Savings per cup: Roughly $3.70–$3.90
    •    5 coffees a week: Save about $1,000 per year

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4. Use Public Transport or Carpool

Driving is convenient but expensive—especially with fuel prices rising, insurance, rego, and parking fees. If you live in a metro area, public transport can be a real money-saver.
    •    A monthly Myki pass in Melbourne is around $167, while the cost of fuel, tolls, and parking easily exceeds $300+ for drivers commuting daily.
    •    Even carpooling a few days a week can significantly cut your petrol bill.
    •    Potential savings: $1,000+ per year


5. Set Up an Automatic Savings Transfer

This one’s simple but powerful: set up a weekly or fortnightly transfer from your everyday account into a high-interest savings account, just after payday. Treat it like a non-negotiable bill.
    •    Even just $100 a week adds up to $5,200 a year, without having to think about it
    •    Use an account with bonus interest (like ING, ubank, or Macquarie) to grow your savings even faster


Final Thought:

Saving for rent or a mortgage in Australia is tough—but it’s not impossible. These five changes don’t require major sacrifices, just smarter habits. Start with the coffee machine—you’ll be amazed how quickly those savings brew into something big.

This article is powered by Inglewood Coffee Roasters.