How to Handle Unexpected Expenses

Life loves to throw curveballs and at times you can be hit with large, unexpected expenses. Whether they are emergencies or a surprise event you want to go to but didn't budget for, it can be expensive.

How can you handle it?

Firstly, it depends on the expense. If it's a large, unexpected bill, check that it is correct and that it is an actual reading, not an estimate. If it is accurate, turn everything off and check if the meter is still running. If it is, there is an issue e.g. for water, there is a leak.

Slowly turn things on and check the meters again to see what is sucking the electricity or leaking water. Then you can fix it and not have this shock again (hopefully).
As for paying the bill, call and negotiate a payment plan if you need or see if there is a discount that can be applied. Then look at how you can work it into your budget.

If you need to get money fast, look at the free 7 day fast money challenge.

For an event you want to go to but get extremely short notice, it can be trickier getting the money. If you can work it into your budget, do it. I have tips for saving money on travel you might want to try. Also check out these tips to save money on various events.

When it comes to other unexpected expenses such as car repairs, always get quotes. The price can vary a lot. Check these 10 tips for your car (from a female mechanic I know) to help reduce the likelihood of expensive repairs too.

Learn how to handle financial obstacles and emergencies here (including how to prepare and what to do if you couldn't prepare).

For health issues, I share how to manage your health and wealth when you're sick and 7 tips to manage money when you are struggling with your mental health. Also, if you need an operation or similar, be sure to ask for a discount or if it can be gap free. My health insurance paused my payments when I had to have multiple surgeries, but kept me covered. The anaesthetists removed their fee when I called and explained my situation too. You never know unless you ask!

If you need Centrelink or are having to deal with them, I have all the tips I can think of and lots of articles here.

How to Handle Regular Large Bills

Life is getting more and more expensive with many bills skyrocketing. Electricity, car repairs and similar are putting a bigger strain on the budget than ever before. Since many of these bills are not going to reduce without a lot of effort and even then might not, they need to be budgeted in. Here are some tips for the ones I hear about the most.

1. Compare prices for all the bills you have to ensure you are getting the best deal. Check open offers, fees to connect or disconnect and other discounts to see which one suits you.
2. Make sure your discounts are applied. Sometimes with the change of financial year or change of providers, discounts are not applied properly. If you have a health care card, pension card or similar you might be entitled to a lot of discounts. Check out some of them and tips to use them here.
3. Do what you personally can to reduce the bills. E.g. 17 tips to reduce electricity bills, 20+ ways to reduce the cost of groceries, how to reduce the cost of transport.
4. Pay a regular amount into an account or off the bill directly. As an example, my daycare fees went up. Each week I transfer the fee into an account that earns interest. When the daycare fees are due, I transfer the money across and pay it.
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   For other bills, some people prefer to transfer a set amount automatically to the bill e.g. electricity so when the actual bill comes, they don't owe anything or they might only owe a small amount.
5. Increase how much you set aside. This might be hard but if the bills are consistently big, you need to find a way to set aside more so when they come in, you have the money for it.

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How to Manage Expensive Invitations e.g. Dinners, Weddings, Baby Showers etc.

I was asked recently how to diplomatically decline these sort of expensive things e.g. lunches and dinners at expensive restaurants you have no interest in.

We discussed it on my segment on ABC as well so I wrote an article with my tips including how to decline, how to afford it and tips to make or save money for it if you do want to go.

Make More Money

I have experimented with lots of ways to make money on the side over the years. You can find all the articles I have written on ways to make money here. And please feel free to comment on any of my social channels anything you are doing to make money on the side/tag your business etc so I can support you.

Or you can reply to this email to let me know what you are doing and I'll check it out :)
(Note, I am travelling a lot in the coming weeks for my daughters wrestling tournaments but will check in personally for this one when I can!)

​ING has $125 on offer for new customers too.

Our Meal Plan

We leave soon so are simply eating what we have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards instead of buying anything extra. You can check out ideas on what to do with those random things and leftovers, how to turn them into something new and make it all stretch here.

Normally, we rotate meal kits, using the different discounts which you can get here.

What I Am Reading

A reader asked my thoughts on the book Couple Goals: Building a strong financial future and an even better relationship so I read that this week. As someone who has been married, divorced, lived as a single mother, partnered again etc I certainly have my own thoughts on couples and finances.

I love that this book addressed a wide variety of questions and scenarios such as How do you split costs when one person earns more than the other? Should you discuss what happens if it doesn't work out? Is it right to ask your partner to contribute to your super while you're on parental leave? Should you go all-in with a joint bank account? How do you talk about money without killing the romance?

It's worth a read and you can decide for yourself what works best for you. Plus get financial and legal advice if you have big plans.

For 2024, I have a list of books I am reading, some of which I have read before but know I can learn more from as I read them during times of stress.

The list is split into finance and business, health, self-help, new age/spiritual, parenting and relationships since these are the areas of my life I am always striving to improve.

I share what I am reading on my Instagram account and would love to hear what you are reading, what you recommend and why.

​You can also check out the books I have on making and saving mone here.

Discounts For You!

There are a lot of discounts in the freebie section of The Thrifty Issue. Here are a few favourites:

Money Bonuses

​$125 from ING with a few steps, it is paid the following month (full details here)

​$14 instantly from Up Bank who are backed by Bendigo and fee-free

​$30 from Ubank when you use the code S7VL6WF and complete 3 transactions in the first month

​$5 from WeMoney, an Australian budgeting app

The highest paying online survey site in Australia is Octopus Group.

Get cash back and a bonus offer with Cash Rewards and Shopback.

Earn cash with your receipts and get a 200 point bonus with ReceiptJar if you use the code KYLIT3Q2H.

Food Discounts

​$15 off Celebrity Slim weight loss shakes

​Free HelloFresh box one of Australia’s most well-known meal kit options and the one I have used the most

​Up to $200 off QuiteLike​

​Up to $180 off EveryPlate for new and returning customers

Discounted fresh produce with Funky Food​

​Up to $144 off with Dinnerly one of Australia’s cheapest meal kit options

​Up to $180 off with Marley Spoon a meal kit option great for those who are more health conscious

1,500 bonus points + 10% off every month with Everyday Extra (Woolworths)

Other Discounts

​$25 gift card with Red Energy

​The Body Shop: regular discounts on all their products. This is our preferred skincare.

​ModiBodi: Get high quality period underwear, swimwear and other items at a discount.

​EyeBuyDirect: Discounted glasses that are the same as you buy in store.

​Tangerine: Discounted phone and internet options

​LoveHoney and Wild Secrets: Up to 70% off their clearance sections (adult items and lingerie)

​Ryderwear: 10% off for new customers (activewear). Sign up for their newsletter for the discount.

The Thrifty Issue Community

For more and to connect with others check out The Thrifty Issue Facebook group, Facebook page, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.​