Tips for your Finances
These tips from Incolink's Financial Counsellor can provide options for improving financial health.
Improving your Finances
Want to reduce your expenses – but don’t know where to start? Check out our tips below for improving finances.
Incolink's Budgeting Service can support you in managing your finances and budget, and suggest options for your financial situation. Call our Financial Counsellors on 03 9668 3074 or by email at financialcounselling@incolink.org.au to get in touch.
Credit cards can make it very easy to spend more than you can afford. Make sure you have the money to spend before you spend it.
If you only pay minimum repayments on a $1,000 credit card debt – it could take you more than 14 years to pay it off and you could wind up paying over $1,300 in interest.
Making a big purchase? You can use lay-by or save up instead of using a credit card.
Find more information about paying off your credit card at Moneysmart.gov.au
Buy Now, Pay Later services might seem like an easy way to buy something you like – but you may end up overspending.
In fact, one in five borrowers went without essentials such as meals in order to meet repayments on time, according to ASIC’s 2020 research into the buy now pay later industry.
Know the costs before you sign up – visit Moneysmart.gov.au
If you have lost your job, you can talk to the hardship department of your bank to arrange to have your mortgage or other loan payments reduced or delayed.
Making lunch at home can be a lot more cost-effective – and is a lot easier to budget around.
If you're spending $10 - $15 on lunch a day, you could save up to $4,000 a year by making your lunch at home.
Budgets help you to keep track of expenses and income, and keeping track of your budget can make sure you stay on top of your finances.
If you would like support with budgeting, you can contact our Financial Counsellors on 03 9668 3074 to access our Budgeting Service.