How to Make and Save More on a Single Income/Centrelink/Welfare

For various reasons, a household might have one income e.g. job loss, illness, a new baby etc. If it was unexpected, it might be a bit of an adjustment. If it was planned or has always been that way it might still be difficult. It is becoming less and less possible to do with the rising cost of everything but there are some things you can do to help.

Some of the articles are aimed at single parents but can be applied to single income homes too.

​22 tips for single parents - This article covers more than just money. It's every aspect of life and how to make it more manageable.

​How to survive on Centrelink - A collection of all the articles and tips about Centrelink and low incomes

​How to survive job loss - Tips for preparing and also recovering if you didn't expect it.

​43 ways for single mums to make money - Flexible work options.

​How to manage financially when newly single - There is a lot to do and the sooner you can the better it is for your finances.

​How to stick to a budget as a single income family - Tips to create and stick to a budget.

​How to become a millionaire as a single mum - Compound interest, planning, being consistent, all of these things help.

​How to afford housing as a single parent - Review of ShareAbode.

​9 tips for pregnancy on a budget - So you can plan better to live off one income.

​How to reduce the cost of groceries - Recent tips to help with the cost right now

​24 ways to make money on the side in 2024 - A selection of ideas that many are using to make money on the side.

​What to do if you can't get or can't afford childcare - Some ideas to help you so you can get time to work.

Get a $125 Bonus from ING

Until 30 September 2024, ING is offering $125 cash to new account holders. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Open an everyday account and put the promo code Cnw116 in the promo box (you must use the code to get the $125 bonus) and complete all the steps below in the first month.
2. Deposit $1,000 into the account such as your income or Centrelink payments within the month
3. Make 5 settled transactions
4. Open a Savings Maximiser (current interest rate is 5.5%)
5. Make a deposit of ANY amount into the Savings Maximiser

Then you get your $125 the following month.
Note: The $1,000 deposit doesn’t need to be $1,000 at once, it can be smaller amounts as long as it is $1,000 total within the month.

Things That Helped the Most When I Was Single Mother/Single Income

Most of my adult life I have lived on my income alone. At times in relationships, they were unemployed, when I left my abusive marriage he wasn't paying child support for the first 2 years. More recently, when I did partner again and have 2 more kids, he wasn't allowed to work in Australia until last year (we weren't planning to be here but had to repatriate mid 2020).

I'm almost 38, which means I have years of experience as a single mother and single-income family. The articles above cover a lot but here are a few specific things that helped me a lot and some that continue to help today.

1. Support: In the form of family, friends, a therapist, support groups, all of it. Create a community for yourself. It can be extremely hard to find one in the beginning especially if you are new to an area, live away from family etc. But it is worth it.

2. Childcare Swaps: I do what I can around the kids such as when they nap, are playing etc. But sometimes you need kid free time to be able to work/do your hobbies/whatever. Childcare swaps or childcare circles were great for this. There are tips on how to get childcare/do childcare swaps etc here.

3. Knowing What Worked: There are so many ways to make money, be frugal and change your life. Through trial and error, I worked out what was best for my situation. Finding the things that made me the most money in the shortest time/least amount of effort was important.
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Also, working out how much my time was worth and what I was willing to do to either make or save money. Not all frugal tips are worth the time and effort required to 'save'. More often than not, I was better off sticking to my budget and putting my energy and focus into making more money. Check out 5 of the easiest ways I've made money.

4. Learning to say No! Too often we take on a lot, do everything for everyone else and end up burnt out. If you're an at home parent or even if you work from home, people assume you're available any time for whatever. Say no to anything that doesn't align with the life you want and what is best for your family.

5. Clear Goals: I knew I wanted to travel with my kids and have a fairly free lifestyle. Going through a lengthy custody battle (abuse), meant I needed to be flexible with my work, be available for my kids and earn above average. I put my goals on my wall and made a whole motivation wall which you can see here to keep me on track. And my goal method here.

6. Switching to Reusables and Buying Quality: This applies to many areas of our life from feminine hygiene items (menstrual cups and undies which I compare here) through to having a quality mattress to ensure good sleep. Anything in my house that could be switched to reusable was and anything we used a lot or impacted health such as mattresses, shoes etc was upgraded when I could afford it. There are 11 ideas for it here that you can do on a budget.

I also got a styling session so I knew the clothes that look good on me and I am comfortable in. This drastically reduced my desire to shop and clothing expenses while also increasing the compliments I got for my style. It also helped when it came to work and court.

7. Self Improvement and Self Care: Since I had no budget in the beginning, I used my local library to read everything possible, listened to relevant podcasts, motivation YouTube videos and did some free and cheap courses. I also focused on improving my health and overall fitness. I share some health resources here, 6 tips for self-care especially during obstacles and these 23 books that will change your life.

When it comes to self-care, those things helped as did ensuring I took care of my appearance, had time out, did meditation, ate well and recognised what I needed to be happy. Because when I neglected my health/mind/self-care etc every other area of my life suffered.

How to Live with Champagne Tastes on a Beer Budget Wage

Most humans have always wanted more or compared themselves to others. With social media and all the ways to consume content, those comparisons are getting worse.

How can you live with champagne tastes on a beer budget wage? Aspiring Millionaire has some tips here.

Our Meal Plan

Meal times can be tricky and since I have 4 active kids who eat a lot, if I don't plan my meals, the budget can get blown. I have 18 tips to reduce the cost of groceries in 2024 plus how to reduce waste/what to do with scraps and leftovers.

To save time and headspace, we use discounted meal kits and rotate through the discounts. Meaning, we use one discount, when that has finished we cancel it and use the next meal kit service and so on until we've used them all. During this time, the first meal kits will send discounts again so you never have to pay full price for them.

Here are the discounts we use (note some are for new customers only):
​Up to $200 off QuiteLike, the meal kit we are currently using.

​1 Free box from HelloFresh: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus they have readymade options you can add on
​Up to $180 off EveryPlate: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus add ons you can choose from
​Up to $190 off MarleySpoon: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus Everyday Rewards
​Up tp $144 off Dinnerly: Up to 6 main meals for the family you cook yourself plus options such as a fruit box
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Our breakfasts are usually eggs, toast, cereal or smoothies. Lunches are leftovers, sandwiches, rice dishes etc and snacks are mainly fruit and veg, sometimes crackers.

What I Am Reading

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.

Since it is the start of a new financial year I'd recommend getting professional advice and to have a look at the book Tax Secrets of the Rich (2024/2025 edition). You might be surprised at some of the ways you can save on tax.

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

Discounts For You!

Check out this huge list of freebies on the site.

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

​$10 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.
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Food Discounts

​$15 off Celebrity Slim weight loss shakes

​Up to $200 off HelloFresh 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)

​My Muscle Chef: Discounted individual meals

​The Whisky Club: Discounted high-quality whisky every month. They have a whisky of the month at a great rate. You choose if you want it every month so won’t be charged on months you don’t want what they have.

​VINOMOFO: Save up to 70% on wine!
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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.

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The Thrifty Issue Community

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

Extra Resources

I get asked a lot about what we eat, how we save money, how I make money from home. Over the years, I have created various eBooks covering all of this so all the information is in one place.

​How to Make Over $10,000 in a Month Buying Things to Resell is one of my most popular books and just got updated! It shares all my tips on how to make a great side income reselling items. Including what I sell, where, how, postage and photography tips. $9.95

​How to Survive on Centrelink has everything you need. I've been on Centrelink a couple of times in my life. It is so much harder than most people think. I've written loads of articles about how to afford everything from housing to education and medical. This ebook with include all of that as well as how to deal with Centrelink, how to deal with debt collectors etc. You can also find all our Centrelink articles here for free or the eBook is $9.95.

​99 Side Hustles for Aussies includes the side hustles as well as how to set them up and market them to make more. Most of them can be done by anyone, not just Aussies. Only $9.95.

​26 Ingredients has over 100 recipes from gourmet breakfasts to delicious desserts as well as frugal tips. This eBook has been featured on Nine News and is only $4.95.