15 Easy Ways to Find Extra Cash for Your Next Family Vacation!
As a mum who loves to travel, I’m always looking for ways to boost our travel funds. Here are 15 simple things I’ve done to earn or save cash for our adventures - hopefully, they’ll help you do the same!
Embrace the Side Hustle:
A side hustle can be a great way to boost your savings. Over the years, I've has a few side jobs. I’ve written resumes, offered career and interview coaching, and I currently sell educational travel diaries that help kids learn about the places they visit while recording their adventures.
My husband is a carpenter and has done everything from building decks to hanging art and constructing cubby houses as side projects for extra income.
Think about your skills - can you teach something? Whether it's offering 1:1 advice on a topic you’re an expert in, or even lecturing at TAFE or university, these are fantastic ways to make extra money.
Could you make some extra cash building trampolines at Xmas or assembling IKEA furniture? Ironing, babysitting, dog walking. The possibilities are endless!
Call Your Service Providers for Better Deals:
A few months ago, I managed to save over $1,134 in just two hours by calling up our internet and insurance providers. I switched our home internet from Telstra to Superloop (A friend who works in IT swears by it, and so far, so good), and I switched our home insurance from AAMI to RACV (like-for-like policy)!
Home internet Savings with Superloop: $396
Home Insurance Savings with RACV: $738
Ready to try Superloop? Use the below code for a discount on your home internet!
Pro Tip: Superloop offers an amazing referral program - every friend who signs up brings down the cost of your home internet. The more friends you refer, the more you save!
Facebook Marketplace Clean-Out:
Before every holiday, I do a major cleanout of our house, and I always turn to Facebook Marketplace to sell unwanted items. You’d be surprised at how quickly those small sales add up.
Top Tip: Before Xmas is an excellent time to list old toys or branded items.
Consider Forgoing Private Health:
This tip isn’t for everyone, but it's something we’ve chosen to do. Despite having top-level private health insurance, we were still paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for procedures, so we made the decision to drop it.
Instead, we utilise Australia’s public healthcare system, which is overall a great system. When needed, we've paid for private providers, and we get most of our dental work done for a fraction of the cost in Bali.
At Rejuvie Dental clinic in Bali with Dr. Bawa!
P.S While we’ve chosen to forgo private health insurance, pet insurance is non-negotiable in our house! With our dogs, it’s been a lifesaver - we’ve claimed over $70K in expenses.
Use Cashback Platforms Like Shopback:
One of my favourite money-saving tips is using cashback platforms like Shopback. It’s a simple way to earn money back on purchases you’re already making. All you have to do is sign up, shop through the Shopback app, and earn cashback on your purchases.
Since joining Shopback I've been able to earn and withdraw $845!
Join Shopback here and earn $5 immediately!
Pro Tip: Install the Google Chrome extension on your desktop so your computer will alert you if the site you're shopping on is a Shopback partner, and prompt you to activate Shopback! Alternatively, download the app.
Get out of your Phone Contract: Switch to Aldi Mobile:
About five years ago, we realised that one of our biggest expenses was mobile phone plans. So, we switched to Aldi Mobile, which offers some of the most affordable prepaid mobile plans available.
Aldi Mobile uses the Telstra network, so we still get great coverage, but at a fraction of the cost. The plan also direct debits from our account each month, so we don’t have to worry about topping up our credit. When we need a new phone, we purchase a refurbished one through Reebelo for about half the price!
Savings: $1,500+ per year!
Fuel Savings with the 7/11 App:
Another great app for saving money is the 7/11 Fuel App.
It helps you find the cheapest 7/11 fuel prices in your area and locks in that price for a week, so you can always fill up at the lowest price!
With fuel prices fluctuating, this app has saved us quite a bit - often between $10–$20 per tank.
Find a New Job or Ask for a Pay Rise:
As a former career consultant and recruiter, I can tell you that one of the quickest ways to boost your bank account is by finding a new job or asking for a pay rise.
Advertised roles typically offer market value or above, often more than what you're currently earning - especially as the market has likely shifted since you first started.
Need more help with this?
You can purchase my career advice guide here, where I teach you exactly what info my 1:1 clients got access to: how to create a drool-worthy resume, where to find work, and how to confidently ask for more money!
Smarter Grocery Shopping:
Grocery shopping is one of everyone's biggest expenses. Some of the ways I save money on groceries is by looking for marked-down items and deals at my local stores. If I see discounted meat or produce, I grab it, and I plan my meals around what's on sale (not plan my meals and then go shopping)!
I also cook using similar ingredients. For example, I’ll make spaghetti bolognese, chilli con carne, and tortilla stacks to reduce ingredient costs.
Pro Tips:
👉🏼Ask your supermarket’s grocery and perishable managers when they do markdowns. It can vary from store to store, so it's worth checking!
👉🏼Repeat weekly menu plans two weeks in a row to help bring costs down as you'll be able to buy ingredients at a lower cost.
👉🏼Not every meal needs to be a MasterChef creation. There’s nothing wrong with eggs or baked beans on toast!
👉🏼Look for a local greengrocer or NQR store - they’re both goldmines for savings! NQR offers brand-name items at 70-80% off, often due to imperfections like crooked labels. I save a ton on cleaning products there as well.
Leverage Your Thermomix and Freezer:
If you have a multi-use kitchen gadget like a Thermomix, it can save you a ton of money over time. For example, I make a loaf of bread at home for just a couple of dollars, compared to $5 at the store. And it’s the same with things like sorbet—making it myself costs about $2, while buying it from the store can set me back $7.
It was an upfront investment, but I’ve had my Thermomix for 15 years now, and it’s paid for itself many times over.
Similarly, having pre-prepared meals in the freezer (or even store-bought ready-to-go meals) has helped reduce our takeaway bill. I love making everything from scratch, but sometimes I just don’t have the energy. Having something in the freezer, even if it’s not homemade, means we’re less likely to rely on takeout.
Interested in getting a Thermomix? Contact Carlie Burton. She's fantastic at helping families prepare frugal meals with ease - and she's not a pushy with selling!
Carlie can be contacted via email: hello@carliemaree.com
Go Plant Based:
I’m plant-based for ethical reasons, but I have to admit, it really helps reduce our grocery bill. Black beans are much cheaper than mince when we’re doing a Mexican night!
Can your family try 1-2 plant-based meals a week?
Cancel or Rotate Your Subscriptions:
Do you really need that gym membership or all those streaming subscriptions? We took a hard look at what we were paying for and realized we didn’t need everything.
Savings $300+ per year!
Make Extra Cash with Market Research:
If you’re looking to make a little extra cash in your spare time, market research is a great option.
I once made $120 for a 45-minute interview on travel - It’s an easy way to make money from home, and you can choose surveys or research projects that align with your interests.
Check out platforms like Respondent.
Get paid between $15 - $200 for market research jobs with Respondent!
Do a No-Spend Month:
Every January, I challenge myself and the family to save $500 by doing a no-spend month. Of course, we’ll still buy the essentials, but the goal is to avoid unnecessary purchases.
We skip the grocery store and make do with what’s in the fridge and freezer, getting creative with what we already have, and do low-cost outings like the beach, and parks.
Sell Unused Gift Cards:
We all have those gift cards sitting in a drawer that we never get around to using. Instead of letting them gather dust, consider selling them!
You might not get the full value, but even a 20% loss can still turn unused cards into extra cash for your next family vacation. It’s an easy way to free up money that would otherwise go wasted!
Use Points from Loyalty Programs such as Flybuys for Gifts:
This year, I was able to get my husband an amazing Chrissy present and only had to pay for delivery which meant more cash in my pocket!
Rent Out Equipment You Own:
Got a caravan that sits idle some weekends? Consider renting it out on platforms like Camplify. We’ve had great experiences using other people’s caravans, and they’ve appreciated the extra cash. The same goes for your car - you could consider renting it out while you’re on holiday.
Platforms like Camplify and Turo make it easy to earn some passive income from caravans and cars.
So, there you have it - 15+ tips to help boost your family holiday fund or get you travelling again sooner!
Have any tips of your own?
I’d love to hear them! Feel free to send me a DM or email!
Kindest,
Kirstin - Travel Writer and Founder of My Big Adventure Kids Travel Diaries!
