What Is The Best Skill That You Have Learnt to Save Money?

L[Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 13:31

G'day,

What Is The Best Skill That You Have Learnt to Save Money?

My friend Jono taught me how to service my car, which saves a lot of money and time.

If browsing OzBargain counts as a skill then that also saves me a lot of money. However, it also takes a lot of money to buy stuff.

I'm interested to know of other skills that fellow OzBargainers have that save them money. It could be anything from cooking your meals instead of eating out, to cutting your hair, or anything else.

Thanks for all the deals and I look forward to reading what you think.

Have a good one,
Jeric

Education & Work

Comments

  • retiredfeline on 06/05/2017 - 13:39
    +43

    Arithmetic. :)

    But seriously, probably cooking edible meals.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 13:42
      +1

      Thanks Greenpossum :)

    • BlazinPast on 06/05/2017 - 16:39
      +7

      always gotta have the edibles on standby

      • Diji1 on 06/05/2017 - 17:22

        Edibles are the best!

    • Empiresearth on 09/05/2017 - 11:13
      +2

      Do charity, end of the day we don't take money with us.

  • Oz-Bogan on 06/05/2017 - 13:51
    +17

    Don't spend it?

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:03
      +3

      Good call Local

    • buckerooni on 06/05/2017 - 18:46
      -8

      congratulations on completely missing the point.

      • geoffellis on 07/05/2017 - 16:08
        +27

        @buckerooni - actually, no - not spending money can be a very difficult skill to learn for some people, and is definitely key to saving money. Many people are driven to spend any money they have.

        • buckerooni on 08/05/2017 - 21:13

          I saw this as a 'how can I do more with less/make my money go further' and what life skills can help achieve this. I get the jist of it but a simple 'don't spend it' isn't that useful or insightful IMO. You'll just end up with money.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/05/2017 - 12:16
      +2

      Behave responsibly and grow your savings/liquid investments so you don't have to buy any insurance policies other than CTP.

      i.e. self-insure

    • [Deactivated] on 09/05/2017 - 12:12

      You gotta spend money to make money.

  • rambutann on 06/05/2017 - 13:52
    +8

    Having a partner who has a car and only owning a motorcycle myself? That works out pretty damn well haha

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:04
      +1

      Nice one Rambutann haha

    • imnotarobot on 07/05/2017 - 21:03
      +1

      My motorbike is more expensive to run than my car.
      Servicing and parts. It needs servicing more often. Parts and consumables are more expensive.
      Unless you're just talking about fuel use… In which case, yeah.

      • rambutann on 07/05/2017 - 21:24
        +4

        I only use my motorcycle and don't take public transport. In Melbourne I can park anywhere for free on the footpath. If I drove a car I'd be paying more in fuel plus $6 a day for parking and I'd spend twice as long in traffic. If I caught public transport I'd spend $8 a day and its take me twice as long to get to work.

        But yeah deffz way more maintenance in oil and tyres. Insurance and rego is always way cheaper than a car.

        • Marty131 on 11/05/2017 - 13:02
          +1

          Can you please tell me where I can park my car in Melbourne for $6 / day?

        • rambutann on 11/05/2017 - 15:36

          @Marty131:

          I work in Abbotsford - forgot to mention that fine detail..

      • jacross on 09/05/2017 - 09:39
        +2

        'Owning a motorcycle that isn't either a piece of shit or a wank model'.

        • imnotarobot on 09/05/2017 - 11:08
          +1

          I'm talking about tyres ($400 every 15k), chain and sprockets ($250 every 20k or so), chain lube, valve clearances ($350 every 6k). I do 10,000km a year. Insurance is $350/year and rego is 500. It's a DR650. Arguably the cheapest commuter/off road you can get.
          Motorbikes are expensive.
          And my weekend ZX10 isn't any better.

        • jacross on 09/05/2017 - 11:14

          @imnotarobot:

          Well I guess it's relative and that wasn't particularly my experience.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/05/2017 - 13:31

          @imnotarobot: trailbikes and their enduro breathren are made for the bush ,
          Rough Terrain but low ks, single cylinder motor ,tuned for tourqe
          Road bike are designed for the pavement,high speed,high ks multiple cylinder engine with a build quality you just don't see in trail/enduro bikes
          The difference between commuting on a dr650 and a gsxr1000 is night and day
          Tyre choice can also play a big difference in keeping cost down
          Even fuel choice, 91s cheap but you don't go as far forcing you to fill up more
          Just buy a good reliable road bike to begin with like a Kawasaki 1000 ninja with low ks and maintained,and
          you'll be laughing

        • [Deactivated] on 09/05/2017 - 13:38

          @imnotarobot: who the fuk is telling u to do valve clearances every 6k
          Find yourself a decent mechanic or get a service manual and do the basics yourself and get to know your bike
          That's where you'll save
          Not dropping it at the dealer and sipping a cappuccino

        • Wallyt99 on 09/05/2017 - 14:26

          @Beach Bum: I must agree what bike needs valve clearances every 6k? E.g vfr800 has them first time at 80k… And they are almost always still perfect.

        • imnotarobot on 09/05/2017 - 14:46

          @Beach Bum:
          After 12k, every 6 is it's inspection and adjustment.
          It's right there, in the manual.

        • imnotarobot on 09/05/2017 - 17:48

          @Beach Bum: I do service my own bikes.
          Simply stating that normal running costs and insurance all add up.
          I did my own valve clearances last service, but when it comes to the average punters and servicing, not everyone can do it.
          I'd rather let money conscious people understand that motorbikes are not necessarily cheaper to run than a simple car.

          And btw, the dr 650 needs valves inspected every 6k after 12k.
          But thanks for your snide remarks anyway.

        • [Deactivated] on 13/05/2017 - 09:19

          @imnotarobot: no worries
          Thank you for your insight into hypothetical servicing
          Again I wouldn't recommend a trail bike as a commuter , even if they are a cheap purchase as they are not designed for high KMs
          And sorry didn't mean to be snide ,more sarcastic

        • imnotarobot on 13/05/2017 - 10:48

          @Beach Bum: no worries, thanks for clarifying

    • allegiance86 on 07/05/2017 - 21:15

      +1 I am on this boat too :)

      Very effective not to have the cost of two cars

      • cameldownunder on 08/05/2017 - 11:09
        +2

        I have a boat, and my way of saving money is not to use it !

        • gtech on 08/05/2017 - 18:09
          +1

          As the saying goes the best boat is your mates boat

        • Wallyt99 on 09/05/2017 - 14:27

          @gtech:
          Bonus if he has a holiday house

    • neostarsx on 09/05/2017 - 18:29
      +3

      don't recommend motorcycle, too many idiot on the road likely to kill you.

      • rambutann on 09/05/2017 - 20:01
        +5

        thanks for your generic response that no motorcyclist has ever heard before I think I'll sell my motorbike, contribute to further traffic congestion, take longer to get from point A to B and be bored as hell during my times of transportation. Super excited.

        • watwatwat on 15/05/2017 - 20:32
          -1

          I'll happily add an extra car to the road to significantly reduce my risk of injury and my brain getting splattered by a car.

          All this beautiful technical innovation in today's cars, making everyone safer and people being able to go home to their families. And towards a world of driverless cars. And then comes you, using your body as a crumple zone.

          And lol, you save 5 mins by weaving in between cars and take an extra > 5 mins wearing special clothing and helmet just to go to maccas.

          You lose.

      • Lucky13 on 11/05/2017 - 09:25
        +2

        Totally agree. Ive known three people that have had accidents on motor bikes and one of them died. I was driving to work one morning a while back too and I passed a motor cycle accident at an intersection and the motor cycle guy was lying on his side still gripping his bike and he looked like he was sleeping. Im hoping he was just passed out, but I looked it up later and supposedly freshly dead people look like theyre sleeping. So I dont know, hopefully he was just passed out. Anyway would never go on a motor bike, way too dangerous. The only thing in between you and the other cars is you. No car chassis with bumpers, roll cage etc, just you. So unsafe :(

        • [Deactivated] on 13/05/2017 - 09:25

          Yes must agree , no one's ever been killed in a car crash , never seen someone being cut out of a car with the jaws of life
          They mostly just stretch a cheap blue tarp over what's left

        • neostarsx on 16/05/2017 - 09:26
          +1

          @Beach Bum:
          Dude the chance of you dying in a motorcycle accident with anything is high.
          In the end it up to you but myself would never increase my chance of dying to save a few bucks.

    • FirstNameLastName on 10/05/2017 - 17:53

      donorcycles are a great bargain for our ageing society too.

  • Savas on 06/05/2017 - 14:04
    +38

    Learning to cook is always good for keeping the health bills down

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:05
      +2

      Cheers Savas

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/05/2017 - 12:18
      +3

      Learning to cook is always good for keeping the health bills down

      And food bills.

  • ihbh on 06/05/2017 - 14:25
    +24

    Having thick skin… being prepared to have an occasional quick squiz at the things people leave out for the monthly council clean up in my area (very affluent) and bringing a selected few things home.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:33
      +1

      Great idea! Thanks Ihbh

    • SaberX on 07/05/2017 - 23:34

      I've been getting gumtree items real cheap - free or $5 etc - but i have to ask you, becuase the hardest issue isn't pre lvoed or dirty or ugly: don't you worry about termites and bed bugs or fleas? That's my biggest worry - never seen all 3 but mindful of this. I particularly want bed frames and mattresses but am too scared, let alone wooden bookcases and furniture (i try to see anything physically, but i wouldn't know if something was burrowed in the wood like termites..)

    • poppit88 on 08/05/2017 - 00:49
      +7

      No Kidding here. I lived on the Lower North Shore and furnished an entire share house doing this. Apart from anything else the quality of things just chucked made me sick to the stomach! Perfect items of furniture and general household items.

      Ahhhh - people are starving in the world and we are so wealthy we just chuck it out on the front door step because we don't 'like' it anymore!

      Best not to get me started!

      • PJC on 08/05/2017 - 01:05

        Garage sales are good too. I found an Onkaparinga wool blanket sealed in original packaging for $5. The font suggested it was 40+ years old. My wife still carefully washed it before usage.

    • froggym on 08/05/2017 - 10:20
      +1

      Thats how we got our fridge. We had just moved in and the neighbour had left it out because they got a new effecient one. Over a year on and the fridge is still running perfect.

      • sn00ze on 11/05/2017 - 10:03

        unfortunately old fridges can really suck the juice, I'm talking $100's a year in electricity compared to a new one…

        • froggym on 11/05/2017 - 11:43

          It is ten years younger and twice as efficient than the other one we had lined up.

    • MessyG on 08/05/2017 - 13:04

      Our most recent hard rubbish collection was a disgrace - so many nice things being thrown out that was not ugly, expensive and often in perfect condition. I got some good stuff! There were dudes in utes and 4WD's cruising the suburb multiple times a day collecting it all.

      • DiscoJango on 09/05/2017 - 08:24
        +1

        Its the unfortunate side effect of living in a disposable first world society. Time will tell, but maybe one day we will look back on this and just shake our heads

    • Skramit on 10/05/2017 - 14:29

      Ah I remember you out the front of my place. How is my old VCR going?

    • kiwiic3 on 15/07/2017 - 18:22

      i did that too, I found good stuff :D

  • grimwagon on 06/05/2017 - 14:29
    +75

    avoid ozbargain

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:34

      hahaha wise words from Grimwagon - thank you

      • usmanyousaf on 08/05/2017 - 19:19
        +1

        But not practicle mate.

    • MisterX on 07/05/2017 - 11:40

      hah perfect!

  • mskeggs on 06/05/2017 - 14:46
    +44

    Cheap hobbies.
    Gardening.
    DIY stuff.
    Lunch brought to work.
    Preparedness to not get sucked into the "lifestyle" displayed in property pages in newspapers.
    Telling kids no, and making them live with consequences instead of reflexively bailing them out.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:55
      +1

      That's really sound advice cheers Mskeggs

    • ihbh on 06/05/2017 - 15:04
      +11

      I'll give you an example of getting sucked into the "lifestyle". I flew back from interstate with a few colleagues a few years ago (we were senior managers in a large corporate). He ends up buying > $100 of expensive but very basic toys for his kids from the airport store without giving it much thought. I could have easily done so but would never do it in a million years.

      • gimli on 07/05/2017 - 18:09
        +1

        Isn't that a time thing. If he had time would look for el cheapo toyz on ausbargain

        • ihbh on 08/05/2017 - 07:35

          The problem was the toys were crap. He could have gotten much better quality toys on OZB for a fraction of the price.

        • gimli on 08/05/2017 - 07:40

          @ihbh:
          Ain't got time for that.

          It's like vending machines

    • Mad Max on 06/05/2017 - 20:51
      +1

      Hi mskeggs
      I was speedreading this without looking at the posters and reading this comment I thought "really good and spot on, I wonder if it is mskeggs". It is!!!
      Always good mate!

      • mskeggs on 06/05/2017 - 22:28
        +12

        You're welcome to my teenagers if you want a chorus who will confirm I don't have all the answers. Hmmm, or the spouse.
        We all battle through gaining bits of wisdom as we go. The worst thing I ever did was spend a few years not listening to my grandad because we had divergent political views. Politics was basically 10% of the discussion, and until I grew up enough to listen to the other 90% I missed out.
        That said, we had some good political Barneys after I grew up enough to know there were plenty of viewpoints, and I wasn't always right. I learned a lot about how things work, not necessarily how they teach you it works in primary school.

        I'm very definite on my views, because, how can you not fight for what you believe in? But I learned sometimes I'm not always as nuanced, or well considered on my views as I should be! It taught me to be very sceptical of true believers older than adolescents who couldn't discuss their views without being offended…

        • bich.light on 07/05/2017 - 10:13

          Hmm, any tips on where I can start to learn bout how politics work?

        • mskeggs on 07/05/2017 - 16:43
          +5

          @bich.light:

          Try using this as a starting point:
          https://www.politicalcompass.org/

          It is a test that asks questions to find out what you think is important and fair, and will allow you to find the political parties that have views closest to your own.
          Amusingly, it often shows people who are strong supporters of one party or another that their chosen party is a poor match for their true beliefs!

        • bich.light on 07/05/2017 - 20:49

          @mskeggs:

          Hmm thanks!

        • Scrooge McDuck on 08/05/2017 - 13:12

          @mskeggs:

          Try using this as a starting point:
          https://www.politicalcompass.org/

          While my assessment came out as expected, those questions are rife with bias. And where is the neutral answer option?

          I'm interested in finding alternatives to test my peers…

        • echelon6 on 11/05/2017 - 21:54

          @mskeggs: I don't know how to take it. Do I answer according to what I believe is right, or what I would vote for in an election affecting me? I'm left leaning when it comes to understanding of right/wrong but I would vote to benefit my current socioeconomic situation, and that makes me right leaning. Instructions unclear.

    • Scrooge McDuck on 08/05/2017 - 12:23

      Telling kids no, and making them live with consequences instead of reflexively bailing them out.

      Do your kids have outstanding liabilities?

      • mskeggs on 08/05/2017 - 13:11
        +2

        No, but if they sleep late and miss the bus I don't drop everything to drive them to school.

        • Scrooge McDuck on 08/05/2017 - 13:19

          But where do you draw the line between fostering responsibility and neglecting support?

        • mskeggs on 08/05/2017 - 14:05
          +5

          @Scrooge McDuck:
          I don't know.

          Things that inconvenience or discomfort them because of their own neglect: let them suffer
          Thinks that would permanently jeopardise their quality of life: bail them out

          But in between things, where consequences pile up, I guess use discretion.

  • dasher86 on 06/05/2017 - 14:49
    +8

    Earn more money so there is more left over to save.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:56

      Thanks Dasher86

    • Aussie Smurfette on 07/05/2017 - 10:13
      +7

      The more you earn the more you spend. We are living on very little these days but still manage to survive easily as well. A decade ago I was earning way more and still managed to survive as well 😆

      • Tr0jan on 10/05/2017 - 13:56

        Unless you plan and budget properly. My wife just started working full time after being a student for 2 years (career change) and her entire wage goes straight to the savings account. We just live exactly the same, to the same budget, as when we were on just my wage.

    • theStinge on 10/05/2017 - 17:40
      +1

      Is that you Joe Hockey?

  • loulou1 on 06/05/2017 - 14:52
    +37

    I would say how to use the Internet. Because I can use google I have been able to discover how to fix things myself that previously would have required tradespeople to do. Simple plumbing jobs etc.
    if I know an electrical item like a DVD player etc is broken and not worth paying someone to fix, I will google how to fix it. If I am unsuccessful, I have lost nothing. If I am successful in fixing it then I have saved on having to buy a new one.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 14:56

      That's smart thanks Loulou1

    • ihbh on 06/05/2017 - 14:59
      +1

      This is a really good idea which I've started to do too. There's also the added benefit of exercising your brain and learning new things, especially as you get to middle age and beyond.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 21:34
      +2

      Yes so true just replaced my cars side mirror due to helpful you tube video saved me ton.

      • db87 on 08/05/2017 - 06:07

        Agreed, been doing this for years and very much self taught on a lot of topics. I take it the people above me are the ones who are always called first when something goes wrong or someone can't find a certain item or piece of information?

        • pooman on 09/05/2017 - 13:32

          How many side mirrors have you gone through then? ;)

        • db87 on 09/05/2017 - 13:42

          @pooman:

          0…

          My reply was to the original comment.

    • Lockieasy on 08/05/2017 - 15:22

      Very true. As someone who has been googling since it's invention, I've found that almost every question you could ever ask has been discussed on the Internet.

      Something that has saved me alot of money is using online guides to replace battery, harddrive and RAM as well as repairing the power cords on my 2011 Macbook Pro. 6 years later and it's still going strong. Beats dropping ~$3,000 on a new one!

    • wtfnodeal on 11/05/2017 - 21:43

      If you are unsuccessful you lose time. There is opportunity cost in fixing things yourself or paying someone to fix it quicker so you can use your valuable time to make more money than saving the money to fix things yourself unless you are doing it as a hobby or have time to kill. I do minor car maintenance like changing oil etc myself but major service or fixing cars then I will just quickly Google discussion in forum to see if an easy fix or should I leave it to the mechanics.

      • loulou1 on 12/05/2017 - 17:00

        Agreed, but nobody can work 24 hours a day. I actually enjoy seeing how things work and get great satisfaction from fixing things myself.

        • wtfnodeal on 12/05/2017 - 17:24

          me too :) but at the expense of not having enough sleep though.

    • poppit88 on 19/05/2017 - 02:04
      +1

      Gosh, I tried doing this with tap washers. My lounge wall is now split because I didn't 'tighten' up my washer spindles enough.

      Lesson learned though.

      Let me say though that Youtube tutorials made it look like a 10 minute job. It was anything but!

      • FirstNameLastName on 19/05/2017 - 13:13
        +1

        wait.. you aren't this guy by any chance?
        https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=4b1_1483233942

        i know the feeling btw.. youtube vids can be very misleading.
        even worse at the aussie reno shows where they compress so much you learn almost nothing.

        • poppit88 on 19/05/2017 - 13:46
          +1

          Kind of. But even my IQ levels cottoned on that it's probably a good idea to turn the water main of before commencing said project.

          What a Muppet!

  • pyramid on 06/05/2017 - 15:00
    +12

    Learn how to not buy stuff that you don't need. There will be always a next deal… I have see people here who buys stuff as soon as they see discount or deals..

    • ihbh on 06/05/2017 - 15:08
      +3

      I haven't bought any clothes over the last few years except for a pair of RM Williams boots on sale for better than half price. I'm struggling to wear a small percentage of the good quality stuff I bought over the last decade and until I wear that down, won't buy anything more, except maybe for specific items.

      • MessyG on 08/05/2017 - 13:09
        +1

        There's a great TED Talk on this called The 10 Item Wardrobe which is great, having less but good quality clothes makes you more stylish and saves you money! It's just getting enough to spend on the quality item in the first place which is hard.

      • [Deactivated] on 11/05/2017 - 09:53

        Lol I have 4 pants I can wear in public excluding my work clothes. Most of my shirts were on sale for $1. I just hate clothes shopping but I should probably get more.

    • [Deactivated] on 06/05/2017 - 15:12

      Thanks Pyramid! Very true

    • jacross on 09/05/2017 - 09:40

      Good call. FOMO can be a real mindscrew when browsing Ozbargain.

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