Don’t make rookie money mistakes

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In the early years of your working life, it’s great to suddenly have money you can spend on whatever you like.  It’s tempting to spend each pay cheque on all those luxuries you couldn’t afford when you were a student.   

There's nothing wrong with this (within reason); after all, you're boosting the economy! So we don't discourage the spending but we do have some tips on how to avoid making common money mistakes.

Consider second hand

Buying things that are brand-spanking new is definitely a good feeling but usually comes with the biggest price tag. You can purchase almost anything second hand these days, and just because it's second hand doesn't mean you have to skimp on quality. Try eBay or Gumtree for hard to beat bargains.

Don’t spend more than you earn

Living on credit and putting out more than what comes in is not a sustainable way to manage your finances. Don't be too 'credit happy' and spend more than you earn. Set up a budget that works with your income. Instead of using credit, consider cash-only purchases or using lay-by. 

Cut down on downloads

Our phone bills are getting expensive and social media is primarily to blame. Being 'Instagram famous' or scrolling though cat videos on YouTube is a costly hobby. Make sure you have a suitable phone plan and get extra data if required – everyone says they will cut back on data usage but we all know that never happens. Also, try turning data off on your phone so you can only access the web in Wi-Fi hotspots. 

Understand  your needs

Be realistic about what you need versus what you want and take note of what you're spending money on. Paying high rent and driving a new car might be amazing but is it necessary? You can reduce your cost of living drastically by thinking about what is a want versus what is an actual need.

Manage your super

You might be thinking, "How do I save money in super when I have so little left each month?" Well, it is possible and doesn't always have to hurt your wallet. 

  • get your super in once place: if you are in more than one super fund it's easy to get them all together. Just fill in our online form and we'll search for your super and send you everything you need to move it into one fund. 
  • contribute a little each month: salary sacrificing (contributing an amount before you're salary is taxed) can minimise changes to your take home pay, while boosting your super
  • get excited about your investments: review your investment strategy to ensure you are investing in the right option.
Boost your super

We’re here to help

At TelstraSuper we’re here to help you build a secure financial future. If you’d like to discuss some strategies to grow your super or if you have any other financial advice queries contact us on 1300 033 166 or fill in our online contact form. There is no additional charge for our phone based service as this is included in your TelstraSuper membership.

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