Yahoo Finance Creative way Brigitte is saving her family $1,140 a year
One in five Aussies are now cutting their own hair to save cash, as the cost of living soars.
Gold Coast mum Brigitte is battling with the rising cost of living, including more expensive grocery and electricity bills, but she’s found a way to literally cut her family’s costs.
“As I work part time while my kids are still young, I’ve tried to save as much as I can. I cut my kids’ and hubby’s hair using an online tutorial,” Brigitte told Yahoo Finance.
The 34-year-old estimates she is saving roughly $45 a month - or $540 a year - by giving her family DIY haircuts.
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The mum of two also saves money by planning toy swaps with her friends so her kids always have new things to play with, and collecting free things in nature, such as dried tree clippings, to decorate her family’s house.
She also looks for free activities for her family to go to on the Gold Coast, which she estimates saves her $50 per month - or $600 a year.
Brigitte is currently keeping a strict family budget because she is saving up for Christmas this year.
“I’m prioritising making this a magical occasion we can share as a family, so I’m sure there will be some splurging in the near future,” she said.
Style on a budget
Brigitte isn’t the only Aussie opting for DIY haircuts. New research from ING found nearly one in five Aussies were trimming their own locks to save cash.
About 70 per cent of the 2,078 people surveyed said they were finding new ways to save money on their personal-style expenses.
Other common ways to save included purchasing off-season items (24 per cent), buying second-hand clothing (22 per cent), making their own clothes and home beauty remedies (12 per cent) and returning to their natural hair colour (10 per cent).
ING Australia head of brand Carly Yanco said Aussies were being more creative about how they spent and saved, while still living life to the fullest.
“This year, it seems faddy trends are out and finding creative ways to experience a little luxury is in,” Yanco said.
“While, for a third year in a row, ‘saving money’ has topped the goals list for many Australians, what’s different about 2023 is that Australians are, understandably, more conscious about economic conditions.”
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