Ah, January. The Christmas tree’s down, the leftovers are gone, and your wallet is probably looking a little worse for wear. If you’re like most of us, you’re vowing that next December will be easier, less stressful, and a whole lot kinder to your budget.
The good news? Money might not grow on trees, but with a few smart hacks and a bit of planning, you can create a little nest egg to make December 2025 a total breeze. Whether it’s for Christmas shopping, a holiday getaway, or just a stress-free festive season, here are three fun and practical ways to start saving now:
1. Start a Raiz Account: Save Without Feeling It
Have you heard of Raiz? It’s an app that lets you invest small amounts of money into low-risk portfolios, and it’s an easy way to save without even noticing. Just set up a recurring deposit of $20 a week, and by next December, you could have over $1,000—maybe even more if the market’s kind to you.
Why It Works:
-
$20 a week is small enough to fit most budgets.
-
Compound growth means your money earns more money (yay for passive income!).
Pro Tip:
We’re not financial advisors, so make sure you do your homework before jumping in. But if you’re curious, give it a go—and as a bonus, here’s a free $20 to start: Raiz Link. Use the code W6423F to claim it!
2. Maximise Your Frequent Flyer and Rewards Points
You’re shopping anyway—why not let your spending work for you? Rewards programs like Woolworths Everyday Rewards, Flybuys, or IGA Rewards are goldmines when used strategically.
How to Hack It:
-
Track double points days (hint: Tuesdays at our local IGA are great!).
-
Switch up your shopping spots—retailers love to lure you back with juicy bonus offers.
-
Save your points all year long and redeem them for Christmas groceries or gifts.
By December, you could have a nice stash of points to ease the financial load—and maybe even cover the cost of Christmas lunch.
3. Save Cash in Bite-Sized Chunks
Good old-fashioned cash savings never go out of style. Grab a fridge chart we made for you and mark off bite-sized amounts like $5 or $10 at a time. Got some extra cash from selling something on Marketplace? Pop it in. Found a stray $20 in your coat pocket? Straight to the chart.
Why It’s Awesome:
-
It’s flexible and easy to track.
-
Watching your progress feels super satisfying.
Goal:
Finish the chart by next December, and voilà—you’ve got $500 (or more!) in your hands. Use it for gifts, a special Christmas dinner, or even a date night to spoil yourselves. Because little savings—and little efforts in your relationship—can make a big impact.
Why Start Now?
Here’s the thing: the magic of a stress-free December starts in January. These small, consistent savings habits will not only lighten the financial load but also make you feel prepared and in control.
Imagine this: instead of scrambling next December, you’re sitting back with a smile, knowing you’ve got everything sorted. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, it starts now.
So, let’s make December 2025 the year you actually enjoy the holidays without stressing about money. You’ve got this!
