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It is always hard for an International student to survive in another country except you are really from a rich family that can afford to give you all the expenses while you focus on your study. But for some people that lucky enough to get some education overseas without any help from parents is a need for extra strength to survive here.
I will give some suggestions on how to save money as a student based on my experience.😊
1. Loyalty card membership
Why is Loyalty card membership important? It is a great way to collect points every time you do your shopping like groceries, clothing, drinks, etc. The good thing is it is free to apply for all those members.
for example:
a. Coles Supermarket
Every time you spent your money, it will reward you point that you can use as Coles Dollar payment. I already got $90 and spent it all last month to buy essential groceries.
Also, don't forget to install the apps into your mobile phone, we can activate the triple point or another extra point if we buy products also to redeem your point.
Coles membership also can be used in Kmart
b. Woolworth
This is also a big supermarket that I used to get my groceries. It also has a loyalty membership. It will send you an email that tells which special this week, which product can earn more points if you purchase it.
Every time before I go to a supermarket, I always compare the price between these two and only purchase something at a discount price or promo price.
Woolworth's membership card also can be used in BIG W.
NOTE: Don't forget to always bring your own shopping bag or a backpack that can fill a lot of your groceries. Because the store doesn't provide any free bag for you and one plastic bag can cost you around $0.15 cents.
Well maybe you think 15 cents is small money but for me, it is still money and I can save a lot from it 😁. Also, I want to take part in safe the environment by not use much plastic
c.Priceline Pharmacy.
This a big drugstore and cosmetics that also you can earn some point with apply for their membership. It's free. Don't forget to scan your scan every time you shop here or if you forget your card, you can tell them your phone number to earn the points.
They sometimes send me a shopping voucher or you can redeem the point into a discount when you purchase in the store.
Last time they send me a product such as a cosmetic brush and compact powder.
So always update your home address! 😄
This one is my favorite store to purchase skincare and cosmetic. I really enjoy visiting the store 😍😀.
Also, the greatest thing if you have a member with them is, you can get a Beauty Loop Box if you reach Level 1, Level 2, Level 3. They like to give away every 3-4 months!!. Inside the box, you will get 3-4 mini skincare/cosmetics.
Check their website for further information.
e. all shopping stores always offer a membership card that didn't charge you a fee for signing up.
2. Don't subscribe to any entertainment
I know sometimes we like to watch a movie or a series without any ads but imagine how much we can save money from it.
Some companies charge you around $10/month. You spent $120 a year for watching a movie that you can watch by streaming online for free, of course, you need the internet at your home. But for me which is an international student who rents a room, my landlord already provides unlimited internet at our house, so I always use those benefits to stream online.
Or you could share the subscription with your flatmates, as far as I know, that one account can be used up to 4 people so it will save your expenses.
Many websites that provide free streaming movie/series, sorry I couldn't mention the name here because those websites are free and they need to maintain their website ( it literally illegal though for them to upload some movies on their website)😅.
3. Compare price at Ozbargain
Sometimes I like to compare prices before I shop for what I want to buy. Most everyone love sale, right. This website is really simple and safe for your time to compare anything you want. or also you can subscribe to any shopping store because they like send you a special code for extra discount.
4. Share flatmates
Sydney is one of the most expensive living expenses. Most of the rent is paid every week. Since the first time I came here, I was shocked that the rent is really really expensive, so I just rent a room with other flatmates. For rent in the city area itself, studio 1-bed room is from $450 not include electricity, gas, internet, etc.
You could rent your rooms on Flatmates or Facebook. or Airbnb is a great platform to rent your space/room for a certain date depending on the availability.
5. Homemade food/coffee.
If you live with your friend or partner, we could cut expenses in home cooking. Buying groceries at a lower price/deals prices and cooking at home will really save money. Especially if you love coffee. 😂 I couldn't afford to buy coffee at the cafe every morning for $3.5, oh well maybe just once or twice a week, but other than that I just make it by myself at home with instant coffee.
Or, you could invest an affordable coffee machine and make it at your home like this one. The price around $80 on Amazon.
6. Food Apps
a. Liven: this is a great app for some cashback that you can use to buy food/drink. Now many stores receive this payment. It connects to your bank account. I use it to buy my favorite boba such as COCO, Top Juice, Gotcha and you will get at least 10% cashback. You can find a lot of famous restaurants as well, and sometimes they sell $1 voucher called FOODollars ( buy $20 minimum you will get a $20 bonus!!!, the option is to $500 get $500 as well😆😆 ) what a great offer..💓
Click this link and you will get $10 once you purchase one meal!
b.Eatclub
This app can give you the best deal on restaurants near your place only if you show them the code that you redeemed in the apps. You can get a deal discount of up to 30%. How it works? the apps will show the restaurant list that has a limited deal discount which you can order and pay in apps, and you only need to pick up ( if lockdown still happening 😅😅). For dine-in, you only need to click it as well and come and show the apps to them. Far as I know, they didn't offer any delivery.
Groupon apps not only offer a food coupon discount, but they also have many offers from entertainment, retail, traveling, clothing apparel, home appliance, electronics to automotive.
I have tried buying some coupons such as cafes lunch, restaurants, spa massage. Overall satisfied with the service and nice to have another option if you have time to compare the prices and check the comment. Always check the description and term condition of the voucher ( sometimes not valid for weekend and certain times)
This is an exciting app to get cashback for every purchase that you made in-store or online. The good thing is you also can get a cashback from buying a gift card!!!. I already tried buying a few gift cards and it works. The apps also give many offers such as challenges: buy the voucher and get cashback, buy a gift card and get an extra bonus.
If you want to compare prices, you also can do it in these apps. It will show the best prices and inform you how much cash back you will get.
Join now with this link and get $10 plus you'll go in the draw to win $1.000. 😆😆
Please make sure to read the rules and conditions when using the cashback/voucher option.
Check this video to see how it works. SHOPBACK
4. Use Installment payment company (not credit card)/Bank Reward Program/Apps
We know that Credit card interest fee is high, but sometimes they offer many rewards every time we shop with a credit card. For those who don't like a credit card, there is another way to use installment payment company like:
- AFTERPAY: I use this app for 3 years now. The system is we pay our purchases in four installments, we'll pay our first installment at the time of purchase, and the remainder every two weeks debited directly from your account ( there is a late fee of about $10 if debit processing failed). The good thing about these apps is they offer the service with interest-free installments, the only fees are for the late payments that we can check the payment schedule in the Afterpay app. It also will send us regular reminders. Many stores have an Afterpay payment option, online and in-store. What I do like is sometimes they offer many discounts/promos on Afterpay and extra rewards point that we collect every time we use the apps.
Click here if you are interested in the apps and get $30 off your first purchase with Afterpay. It's so easy - and you can thank me later. 😉 Minimum purchase of $50. Terms apply.
- Bank Reward: I notice that my bank apps offer rewards like cashback and discount coupons that we can use when purchasing the product using their debit card (online or in-store). Check the picture below of Commbank and Westpac Reward.
Westpac reward
Other apps that also reward for their member is NIB Insurance and Rest Superannuation apps.
Rest Apps.
- Don’t use postpaid simcard for almost $50-$80 a month, but Buy simcard with data for a year for $179 as july 2026 at vodafone website (you can always buy the add on data). You also could go to the store to buy the card,bring your passport. I change to postpaid simcard after few years stay in Sydney, it really save some money especially because I always using wifi at my work so those postpaid data not really used much. Good thing that if you already have pospaid plan, you can visit the store and ask them to change it into postpaid without change your phone number!!
The prepaid vodafone
I will always update the post on how to save living costs in this expensive beautiful city. hahahhaa
Hope you guys like the post.💓
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