When it comes to money-saving and budgeting, many of us are in the dark as to where we should be making significant savings. A good place to start? Cutting down on ‘micro-transactions’.

The lure of micro-transactions – purchases that are low in cost and trivial in nature – can be a real obstacle for those trying to achieve their financial goals.
Indeed, while the cost of these transactions may seem infinitesimal in the grand scheme of things, they can add up to the equivalent price of that trip you always wanted to take, or the sophisticated new piece of technology you’re desperate to try.

Of course, there are a myriad of ways to reach your financial goals, including creating an investment strategy that’s ideal for your personal situation.
For many of us, however, addressing our penchant for micro-transactions could be a surprisingly effective way to achieving your financial goals faster. Here are a few examples.

Takeaway coffee and bottled water

Picking up a hot cup of takeaway coffee in the morning is an irresistible slice of luxury for many of today’s busy workers.
However, while a cup only costs a few dollars, transactions can easily add up for caffeine addicts.
One $4 cup of coffee costs you $28 per week. Over one month that’s almost $120. Over a year it’s almost $1500.
Consider switching to home-brewed coffee in a flask. As well as saving you a lot of money, you’ll be saving the environment by avoiding disposable cups. The same can be said for bottled water.

The gym

Having a gym membership can make you feel virtuous and healthy, but how often do you actually make use of it?
If the answer is “not as much as I should” then you need to reconsider your membership.
The daily cost of a gym membership is about the same as a cup of coffee. That’s another $1500 each year right there.
The great thing about exercise is that it can be done for free – throw on some jogging shoes and think about all the cash you’re saving!

Household bills

There are plenty of possible ways you could be overpaying on household bills.
Many people still pay for a landline, for example, but the rise of the mobile has made domestic phones almost redundant.
And do you really need high speed NBN? Most of the Telcos are offering BYO mobile phone plans with endless data for about $60-$70 a month – with unlimited calls and texts.
Once you go past a 40GB cap your internet speed is reduced to 1.5Mbps – which is still fast enough to stream Netflix in standard definition, browse the web, and listen to music.
The best bit? Your smartphone can double as a hotspot modem to your other devices.
Other common ways of overspending on household bills include failing to set a thermostat correctly, leaving electrical items on standby, using inefficient light bulbs or failing to obtain accurate meter readings.
Dig a little deeper into where your money is going on household bills and you could save a significant sum.

Update – Aug 2019

Did you hear about one about Federal Court Justice Nye Perram thinks it’s ok to like Cavier and Wine?