How to save money on everything!

Aussies love a bargain, especially at times like now when money gets tighter after interest rate rises. Tracking down a bargain is usually all about timing. Just about everything we buy has a price tag that might be a great deal one day, then skyrocket the next.

Knowing where to find a bargain is one thing, but knowing when to get the best deals will help you save plenty. Here are a few tips on how you can do it.

1. Beat the weekend petrol rush
Petrol prices see-saw, but each city has a different cycle when prices are lowest. Currently it’s Friday for Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, while Wednesday is best for Perth. Always avoid weekends when it’s most expensive. Stay on top of prices at the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) website, accc.gov.au
Want to look up the lowest daily petrol prices in major cities and receive the information by email or SMS? Then log on to motormouth.com.au

2. Groceries on Fridays
Research shows you can save up to 20 per cent on the supermarket bill by shopping on a Friday. Supermarkets get lots of fresh food in for the weekend and offer the best specials of the week. Buying at the end of the day or an item that is close to its use-by date can also prompt some big markdowns.

Top shopping tip
In the retail world, sales targets are set monthly so come the last few days of the month, salespeople are keen to get stock out the door. You can often get a good deal on appliances, furniture and electronics at the end of the month.

3. Buy a car in January or June
The end of the financial year is a great time to save on a new car. This is when manufacturers and dealers put out specials together. January is also a good time because dealerships are trying to get rid of last year’s stock before new models arrive. Also, dealers receive incentives based on monthly sales figures, so if they’re a couple of cars down on their quota on the last day of the month, they’re likely to do a better deal to clinch a sale and ensure they get a nice bonus.

4. Don't shop when they tell you to
Timing your bargain is about thinking for yourself and being proactive. Don’t let the marketers fool you with lures such as Boxing Day specials, when they often raise prices knowing a lot of people think it’s a good time for a good deal. A few items will be cheap to entice you in but be careful of anything else on sale.

5. Eat at different times
Many restaurants offer bargain rates during the slow times of the day. Anyone willing to go against the grain a little (such as having dinner before 7pm or dining out for lunch rather than supper) can easily chop their restaurant bills. Many restaurants offer kids’ meals at half price (or for free) if the family is finished by 7pm.

6. Entertain yourself midweek
Lots of places will jack up their prices for the weekend, especially if they’re in the business of entertaining tourists. So if you want to enjoy attractions such as theme parks and museums or go on a harbour cruise or bridge climb, then try to do it on a weekday if you can. You’ll save a few dollars and avoid the crowds.

7. Buy when you don't need it
A common theme in these tips is to buy when the least amount of people will be buying. If demand is low, sales will be low and when that happens, prices drop. So plan your purchases for when the price tag will be lowest. Need a new air conditioner? A surfboard? Buy it in winter. Want new skis? An electric blanket? Buy them in summer.

8. Buy your flight... when?
Prices of flights bounce around more than anything else, and it’s pretty hard to know when the right time is to book. There are a few rules to follow here.

• On long-haul, international flights, stay away from peak travel times when it’s hard to get a ticket and the prices go up. Off-peak is when lots of airlines have some really great bargain tickets.

• The budget airlines have so many great deals these days as they compete with each other. The rule of thumb is usually the earlier you book, the cheaper. Most flights have a specific number of seats available at a range of prices from cheap (with restrictions) through to expensive (and fully flexible).

• Often it’s first in best dressed and you can get a good idea of availability. n As a general rule of thumb, tickets can be cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, as this is when people fly the least. Flying early in the morning or late in the evening will usually be cheaper.

• Some experts say booking on a Tuesday is best because the major airlines release their prices for the week on a Monday, so the next day the smaller ones try to compete.

9. Holiday in the off-season
Choose carefully when you plan family holidays. For domestic trips, prices soar in peak times, which are generally during school holidays. If you’re heading to the snow, try to arrange it outside of school holiday time. It’ll be less crowded and you’ll save plenty. If you’re going overseas, you can generally count on peak season being their summer months. Avoid travel then for a much cheaper holiday. And visit places where the Aussie dollar goes a lot further.

10. Have fun on cheap Tuesdays
Tuesday is bargain day for most having-fun industries, because it’s the day of the week people are least likely to go out. Restaurants and bars often have great dinner specials, plus just about every cinema worldwide has some sort of ‘cheap Tuesday’ deal.