Take notes. These 5 money hacks could save you some serious cash.

Thanks to our brand partner, Australian Unity

"Cozzie livs" might've been Macquarie Dictionary's word of the year in 2023, but in 2025 it doesn't seem to be going anywhere, with the cost of living remaining a key topic in this year's news cycle.

Whether you love it or loathe it, understanding money — and knowing how to manage it — can save you a lot of stress (and coin), particularly in these challenging economic times. 

Here are five money hacks that could save you some serious cash.

Invest in your health early.

The saying "you've got to spend money to make money" certainly holds true with this hack.

While you do need to pay for health insurance, investing in it can help avoid significant out-of-pocket expenses in the long run, all while maximising tax benefits.

Australian Unity offers comprehensive health insurance with a range of health cover benefits, including mental health coaching, fitness training, quit-smoking programs and up to 100 per cent coverage for preventative dental care.

And even if you're in good health, their extras cover includes benefits like teeth whitening, remedial massage, travel vaccines and more, in addition to the usual coverage for optical, chiro, physio and other services.

But here's the best part: they have a digital-first approach. This allows you to make instant claims using a digital card and it provides easy access to health cover details via their mobile app whenever you need it.

They also help you save on everyday expenses, entertainment, dining, retail and wellness with their Wellplan Rewards program. Members gain access to discounts from over 100 brands, without having to accumulate points like traditional programs.

And one final tip: getting hospital cover before you turn 31 in Australia can help you avoid paying hefty premiums for 10 years. Yup, it's true.

Audit your spending.

If the thought of looking at your bank balance is akin to Sunday Scaries, it could be because you're not keeping on top of your spending (guilty). And while ignorance can be bliss, whenever I've kept my head in the sand about this stuff, it only prolonged the problem.

To fix this, I started reflecting on my spending with routine monthly audits of my cash flow. This gave me the chance to analyse where my money was going and whether it still aligned with my evolving values and goals.

During one of my recent audits, I noticed I'd been forking out for an unlimited pilates pass, but realistically, I wasn't able to make it to that many classes. To ensure I was getting the best bang for my buck, I reduced my membership tier, which now saves me almost $1000 over a year.

I also realised I'd been paying for several streaming services but hadn't watched anything in months, so I was able to cancel a few of them as well.

Loan, don't own.

If you're considering purchasing something you'll only use once or twice, borrowing rather than owning the item could be a wiser financial move.

Remember libraries? Well, I recently discovered they still exist. So, if you (like me) have a habit of spending big on books, borrowing them from your local library for free instead of buying them could save you hundreds.

The same concept applies to clothes. If you're in wedding season or have a bunch of events to attend, consider hiring your outfit from a dress rental company or borrowing a friend's frock instead of buying something new for every event. And make sure you return the favour — what goes around comes around.

Bank some grocery savings.

One of the things that has become a big part of my personality is my love for discount supermarkets, and there are several reasons for that.

Firstly, I love the compact store layouts that allow me to buy groceries efficiently. But what I love most is how much I save on my shopping bill.

And yes, before you say it, you're right — these stores don't always stock everything. But if saving money has taught me anything, it's that a little sacrifice is necessary to get me to where I'm going.

If you don't have budget supermarkets in your area, I've found that being part of a food co-op and shopping at the local fruit and veggie market has saved me some serious coin over many years. Plus, apps like Too Good To Go can gamify your groceries and help you do your bit in the fight against food waste.

Visit Australian Unity to learn more about their health insurance.

Feature Image: Getty.

Looking for health insurance you'll actually use? Australian Unity has designed their cover to be super useful for your everyday life. Think things like dental check-ups, optical, physio, chiro, remedial massage, travel vaccines and so much more. Whether it's keeping you in shape for the things you love or for that unexpected accident or illness Australian Unity has cover to suit your lifestyle, budget and needs.