Interest rates, energy prices and inflation are all rising. Here’s how our readers are dealing with the cost of living

The price of residing is on the rise and your hip pocket may be feeling emptier than traditional, so we requested our readers to share their tips about dealing with rising bills.

Listed here are a few of the methods they’re curbing their spending, in addition to money-saving recommendation from specialists.

Click on on the hyperlinks under to leap straight to a query, or learn on to search out out extra.

How can I spend much less on meals?

With inflation and wild climate impacting meals costs, it may very well be time to ditch some luxuries and alter up the menu. 

Listed here are some expert tips for saving while shopping for groceries: 

• Store for seasonal produce
• Purchase meat nearer to its expiry date and freeze it
• Bulk buy staples after they go on particular
• Only buy what you need 

And don’t forget to bring your own bag whilst you’re at it — each cent counts. 

Here’s what our readers advised us they’ve been doing. 

“Plan your weekly meals and persist with your buying record. Be versatile and buy objects which might be higher worth on the day and in the reduction of on luxurious objects corresponding to comfortable drinks and chocolate. Be smart along with your purchases.” — Katrina, NSW 

“I’ve in the reduction of on meat-based meals (now solely as soon as per week) within the weekly store, choosing beans or veggie soup as substitute meals. I additionally solely purchase one or two coffees per week, make my very own snacks (like Anzac biscuits) & take my lunch to work if within the workplace. I do not purchase takeaway meals in any respect, and restrict drinks and meals out to as soon as per fortnight.” — Kerri, Vic 

“Too many individuals suppose chickpeas, assorted dried beans and even lentils are available in cans. If you buy dry, cook dinner a amount (not lentils, they cook dinner rapidly) and freeze in baggage. You’re extra possible to make use of the required quantity — a handful, half a tin, one and a half tin equivalents when not restricted to one-tin portions.” — Margaret, NSW 

Ought to I begin planting now?

When you’ve got entry to a yard or a backyard, Tony from Victoria suggests placing your inexperienced fingers to the check. 

“Use area in your property to develop greens and different meals.”

Hazel from New South Wales shared her journey rising meals in a small area. 

“I am beginning a backyard to develop veggies from seeds. I am in a small block … in a floor ground flat so I am having the backyard mattress underneath my window. If it would not get trashed by ‘individuals’, then I will make it larger. It will make a giant distinction to my contemporary meals consumption and it’s cheaper than shopping for seedlings. Unsure which of these two is greatest however each would get individuals contemporary greens.”