Frugal mother Olivia White famously boosted her bank balance by $30,000 in just 12 months by making a few simple changes to her lifestyle.
And now, the 30-year-old from Melbourne has devised a super simple 10-day savings challenge that can help you too rack up some extra cash.
Posting on her blog House of White, Olivia revealed the 10 different things you can do on separate days to boost your bank balance.
From setting up a monthly budget to contacting your service providers, FEMAIL shares her top tips.
Frugal mother Olivia White (pictured) famously boosted her bank balance by $30,000 in just 12 months by making a few simple changes to her lifestyle
And now, the 30-year-old has devised a super simple 10-day savings challenge that can help you too rack up some extra cash (pictured: Olivia’s 10-day savings challenge)
Day one: Set up a monthly budget
The first day of your 10-day savings challenge is all about getting your affairs in order, and Olivia said this starts with a budget.
‘This is your starter for the challenge. By doing this you will see where your problem areas are and where you can make the best changes and biggest savings,’ Olivia wrote on House of White.
The mum-of-two recommends you download a budget spreadsheet, such as her own, and use it to track all income and expenses.
That way, you can see where the major holes are in your spending, and hopefully act accordingly.
One of the first things Olivia (pictured) said you should do is set up a monthly budget, and contact your providers in order to negotiate a better deal on various items
Day two: Contact your providers and negotiate a better deal
The second day of the challenge is all about doing something so many of us put off: calling your providers and negotiating a better deal.
‘Check out your interest rates, fees being charged, packages offered and don’t be afraid to ask the questions! You are the customer!,’ Olivia said.
This can be made easier if you have instant access to your bills, accounts, statements and contracts for each provider.
Olivia recommends once you’ve negotiated a better deal, you don’t stop there – as so often companies rely on people becoming complacent over time.
‘As new deals come in, offers end and rates change, you could end up losing hundreds if not thousands of dollars!,’ she said.
Olivia (pictured with one of her children) also recommends downloading a fuel-price tracking app to compare the various different prices you can get fuel for
Day three: Invest in a reusable item
On day three, your task is simple: invest in a reusable item.
While this is a slow-burning idea, by using your coffee cup or straws over time, you will save money.
Day four: Download a fuel-price tracking app
Olivia recommends that you download a fuel-price tracking app.
She is a particular fan of Fuel Map Australia.
Olivia recommends you trial a few apps to see which one works for you.
Again, over time you can make huge savings.
Day five: Unsubscribe from 10 newsletter emails
When you’re halfway through the challenge, the mum-of-two recommends you unsubscribe from 10 newsletter emails.
Because even if you think you’re not being affected by the constant stream of adverts being sent to you every day, the emails being sent to you will filter through.
Olivia said she has unsubscribed as emails have come through and noticed a huge difference to her spending.
Day six: Cancel unnecessary subscriptions, direct debits and apps
On the sixth day, visit your budget with a highlighter and highlight all the monthly debits and subscriptions you don’t want or need.
Olivia said you can also go to your iPhone, tap settings and then your name, followed by iTunes and App store, your Apple ID, view Apple ID and subscriptions – so you can see what you’re currently subscribed to on Apple.
You can also cancel elements on Paypal and elsewhere. If you’re not using your Netflix, Stan or Foxtel account, it’s time to be honest whether you really need them.
For the thrifty mother, rewards programs are ‘basically money for nothing’ – and some of Olivia’s (pictured) favourites are Qantas Frequent Flyer, Flybys, Velocity and ShopBack
Day seven: Sign up to a rewards program or points system
For the thrifty mother, rewards programs and points systems are ‘basically money for nothing’.
And Olivia said they are a great way to subsidise travel or earn gift cards and vouchers for the future.
Olivia recommends Qantas Frequent Flyer, Flybys, Velocity, MyerOne, Priceline and ShopBack for points.
Day eight: Plant a herb and vegetable garden
It might sound worthy, but a herb and vegetable garden can help to save you big bucks over time.
‘We have a lemon tree at home that I use daily,’ Olivia said.
‘Lemons are expensive. We also grow a lot of herbs which I find are super wasteful when you buy large bunches at the supermarket – but this way you use only what you need.’
Day nine: De-clutter and organise your home
On the penultimate day, the best thing you can do is do an audit of your home items and check what you already have in your home.
Whether it’s food or clothes, how many times have you bought something new, all because it felt like too much to rifle through your old items?
Once you’ve done an audit, then try to limit new purchases where possible.
Day ten: Pop up three items for sale on a marketplace site
On the last day, Olivia said making a site like Facebook Marketplace your best friend is a great idea for an extra cash injection.
‘I have been selling online for over a decade, making a full-time job from it at one stage,’ she said.
Try all of the platforms to find out which is your favourite, and make sure to list three items before the challenge is over.
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
To read more from Olivia White, visit her website here. You can also join her group on Facebook here.