31 October 2025
Being in control of our money isn’t just about how much we earn, it’s also about how we use it, what emotions we attach to it and how we manage it. Pay increases often trigger lifestyle creep – when things that were once luxuries start feeling like necessities, and there’s still no money left over.
So, having more money isn’t the budgeting solution we often think it is. It’s how we approach it that matters. And that looks different for everyone.
A recent WeMoney survey found almost half of Australians live payday to payday with no emergency buffer, and more than 1 in 3 are ‘just surviving’. Clearly, all that lame advice about denying yourself barista-made coffee and avocado toast is not working.
Why? Because we all have different beliefs and behaviours around money.
That’s why we’re giving you three frameworks to help you consider your approach, and you can pick and choose the ideas that work best for you. By building your own custom money management plan, you’ll build financial wellbeing, confidence and bank balance.
The 50/30/20 rule
It’s an oldie, but a goodie. In an ideal scenario, whatever your income is, you’ll allocate:
50% of your income to essentials – that’s your housing, food, bills, insurance, transport and so on.
30% of your income to fun stuff, or what they call discretionary spending – like entertainment, meals out, holidays and doing what you love.
20% on savings or debt repayment. Ultimately, these are the same thing in terms of your bottom line. Here’s where you can build your buffer zone, emergency fund, or future wealth.
This isn’t realistic for everyone, especially with how much some of us pay for rent these days, so once you’ve looked at your numbers, you can tweak the percentages to fit your needs.
Make essentials work harder
Focus on your three biggest costs – usually housing, energy and food. These count as ‘needs’ – which together form 50% of your budget in an ideal scenario.
These are non-negotiables, but that doesn’t mean they’re fixed. A few smart tweaks can stretch your dollar further without feeling like sacrifice.
This modular menu is about empowerment – making your essential spending work harder for you, not the other way around.
Compare and switch. Use comparison sites to check if you’re overpaying. Each weekend, review one bill – energy, insurance, phone, internet etc. – and see if you can get a better deal.
Money mindset: Stop assuming prices are fixed and something you have no control over.
Negotiate. Ask your bank, insurer, or provider for a lower rate. Many will reduce it if you just ask.
Money mindset: Negotiation can reinforce confidence – your initiative and self-advocacy can help you change your financial position.
Shop smarter, not harder. Run down your pantry before restocking. Use supermarket rewards, price apps like Half Price or Frugl sales, and meal planning.
Money mindset: Being intentional means removing emotion from spending. Efficiency and control over your money can help you maximise what’s in your bank account.
Spread it out. Shop every eighth day instead of weekly. That’s 45 grocery trips a year instead of 52, just by shopping a day later each week.
Money mindset: This strengthens self-discipline. Small system tweaks can become a habit to make your money last and reduce waste.
Share or swap. Carpool, share bulk buys with friends, or run a community ‘swap table’ for clothes, toys, tools or homewares.
Money mindset: Builds community and resourcefulness, turning excess into shared value.
Create no-buy moments. Give your wallet a rest for 3 days a month, or even a whole month. Essentials and bills are of course excluded.
Money mindset: Trains awareness and control. You can prove to yourself that spending is a choice.
Use your rewards. Guild Super’s SUPERSUPER program literally adds money to your super while you shop, turning today’s spending into tomorrow’s savings. And use loyalty schemes wherever you can. Loyalty schemes are how retailers reward customers, and they want you to use them – so don’t leave money on the table, as small savings can add up over time.
Money mindset: Reflects strategic thinking. You’re turning everyday transactions into long term wins.
Tap into rebates. Check servicesaustralia.gov.au or your state government’s sites for rebates on energy, childcare or transport.
Money mindset: Builds financial literacy by using the system the way it’s meant to be used – you are informed and proactive.
Take ownership
If you suspect you’re spending too much, focus on just 3 things you overspend on, and take control – without guilt. Look at things that are ‘wants’, but not essentials.
If you find yourself saying ‘I deserve this’ (and you absolutely do), this menu is for you. Choose from these ideas that can help you enjoy what you love – just a bit more mindfully.
This mix and match menu is about balance, not cutting back. It’s about knowing where your money goes, and making sure you’re spending on things you actually need or make you happy.
Assess the damage. Analyse your bank statements to see where the overspending is. Lisa said, “I found a big overspend happening when I handed money over to my kids in the school holidays for social events. We’ve now agreed a holiday budget.”
Money mindset: Deepens understanding and integrity by allowing you to see the big picture and be honest with yourself.
Reduce temptation. Go through your messages and social media, and unfollow and unsubscribe from any brands encouraging you to buy more stuff.
Money mindset: Reclaiming your power back from marketing algorithms creates space for intentional spending, not impulse buys.
Plan your splurges. Set a ‘fun money’ limit. Maybe have a day each month or fortnight, or add line items where you use that budget to treat yourself to what brings you joy.
Money mindset: Give yourself permission to enjoy your money – you’ve earned it. Budgeting isn’t all work, no play.
Track your treats. For one week, assess what brings you joy versus what’s just habit.
Money mindset: Build self-knowledge by evaluating your spending behaviour and the emotions behind them.
Be accountable. Set reminders, goals or rules, like phone alerts, find a friend to cheer you on and keep you accountable.
Money mindset: Hitting milestones – like your first $100 or even $1000 in savings – supports good habits and focus.
Unsub. Check for unused subscriptions in all the different places they could be hiding. Cancel any you’d forgotten about or don’t use.
Money mindset: Trimming waste lets you focus on what matters.
Cool off. Found a must-have? You can have it – but wait for 7 days to check you still want it.
Money mindset: Puts you in control of your purchasing decisions. Again, this is about being intentional and minimising impulse buys.
Pay yourself first
This mindset shift turns budgeting into self-care – because your future deserves to be on the priority list. If you’re trying to clear debt or save up, allocating 20% of your pay to this will see real progress.
This mix and match menu is about kindness – to future you – by paying yourself first, without guilt or pressure.
Start small. Even $5 a week or month, into your savings or super, grows into something bigger over time. Saving up the first $500 in your emergency buffer bucket will dial down those panicky vibes.
Money mindset: Opens the gate to the pathway to the road to savings success.
Use round-up apps. Try Raiz or Up to round purchases to the nearest dollar and save the change automatically. (You can also DIY with manual transfers).
Money mindset: Removes psychological barriers to investing. Your tiny spare change can work its compounding magic in the stock market, without you having to lift a finger.
Prioritise high-interest debt. Debt often costs more than saving saves you, so paying off credit cards first frees up cashflow faster than spreading it evenly.
Money mindset: Challenges emotional connection to money, building a more objective view with built-in debt relief.
Sell unwanted stuff. Have a declutter and re-sell what you don’t need – then store the proceeds in your savings or super.
Money mindset: More physical space = more mental space, plus it feels like free money.
Reframe saving as self-respect. Treat it like any other essential payment or priority purchase. Every dollar set aside is future you saying ‘thanks.’
Money mindset: This is a radical pivot from how many people think. When saving becomes a priority, you’re putting yourself first, too.
Celebrate progress, not perfection. Consistency matters more than amounts.
Money mindset: Nobody can do everything. But everyone can do something.
Super saves for you. Your employer pays superannuation on top of your pay. This is called the Super Guarantee (SG) and is currently 12%. While it doesn’t appear in your take-home pay, it’s still pay. For you. For your future. With lower tax. Check your super account at least twice a year to see your balance. You can even make extra contributions when you can afford to, to grow it faster – or use SUPERSUPER to add a small percentage into your super with every purchase at participating stores.
Money mindset: Stretches your strategic game-plan to the long-term future (not just the now), while being clever with tax.
Cool tools
If spreadsheets aren’t your thing, there’s heaps of tools out there to do the math for you and help you set, manage and sustain your financial goals. Start with your bank – many have budgeting tools built into their apps. You can also check out some of these:
Moneysmart – Government resource packed with free budgeting tools and calculators
Frollo – A free, Aussie app that analyses your spending and tracks progress towards savings goals.
WeMoney – Great for insights into your spending habits and help you pay off debt faster
Buddy – Helps you set budgets, track expenses and monitor your savings
Up – Popular app packed with features to help you save, including round-up functions.
Finder – Helps you compare and switch to cheaper deals
Build what works for you
Whatever menu (or mix) you choose, remember – budgeting isn’t about restriction, it’s about freedom. Freedom to make choices that feel right for you, your household, and your future.
A bit of attention and patience will reward you with peace of mind and financial stability. And if you ever need support or want to talk through how your super fits into that picture, our Coaching team is here to help – already included in your membership.
GuildSuper Coaching: 1300 262 240 or coach@guildsuper.com.au