Payne Haas throws up yet another off season drama for the NRL

With poor off-field behaviour dominating NRL headlines over the summer, the last thing the game needed was a player refusing to cooperate with the integrity unit – but that’s exactly what it got. Bronco’s young gun Payne Haas has been fined $20,000 by the club and stood down for at least the first four regular season games for refusing to be interviewed by the integrity unit.

Haas was reportedly involved in two off field incidents late last year, both also involving his family members. One incident was a personal dispute that descended into violence, and the other was Haas being in “close vicinity” to a brawl at a QRL semi-final. The brawl reportedly included his brothers and sisters. It is important to note that there is no suggestion that Haas initiated the violence, or even committed any violent acts.

Haas has refused to co-operate with the integrity unit investigating these incidents, which led to the punishment from the Bronco’s (which has been approved by the integrity unit). This leaves him out for the first four matches of the NRL season, which will be a relief for the Bronco’s early opponents!

The 194 cm, 120 kg prop was in great form in the first trial for Brisbane, scoring a try and regularly making metres with ball in hand. His absence will be a big loss for Brisbane, and a gain for Melbourne, North Queensland, St George and Sydney, who all get to face Brisbane without the 19-year-old monster charging at them.

The summer has already featured Jared Hayne and Jack de Belin being charged for sexual assault, in very extreme circumstances if they are in fact guilty. Cowboys player Scott Bolton pled guilty to assault in early January, after the charge was downgraded from indecent assault. Dylan Walker and Ben Barba also both face charges for domestic assault – there is video footage of Barba’s crime, and his contract was torn up on the spot.

Haas’ offence is not on the same level, but he has been hit with the harshest penalty by a club/the NRL (except for Barba). Bolton is free to play, and had no conviction recorded by the courts, while the NRL is awaiting court outcomes before penalising Walker and de Belin. Hayne does not currently have an NRL contract, so the game couldn’t punish him.

Bernie Sanders announces his 2020 presidential run

Bernie Sanders, who lost the democratic nomination in 2016 to Hillary Clinton, has announced he plans to run for president again.

Senator Sanders, now 77, ran a surprisingly effective grassroots campaign that focused on progressive policies and fighting against the culture of ‘bought and paid for’ politics. He got the backing of 23 states and came very close to snatching the democratic nomination from frontrunner Hillary Clinton.

Many have speculated that Senator Sanders, if nominated, would have beaten now President Donald Trump in the federal election. He has since been one of the leaders in opinion polls for democratic candidates to run against President Trump.

In an email to his supporters, Senator Sanders said that his 2020 campaign “is not only about defeating Donald Trump” but “about creating a government and economy that works for the many, not just the few.”

While Senator Sanders was a uniquely progressive liberal voice in otherwise establishmentarian democratic circles in 2016, he now faces more competition from similarly minded candidates. There is also an increased demand for female and ethnic minority political leaders, which may lead to questions about his relevancy.

Senator Sanders has been a vocal opponent of Mr Trump, stating in his email that he was “a pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and someone who is undermining American democracy as he leads us in an authoritarian direction,” as well as “the most dangerous president in modern American history”.

Mr Trump has been heavily criticised during his presidency thus far, having had a mixed response to his recent State of The Union address and his dismissal of the counsel from top US intelligence officials.

Fair Work Commission found to play key role in gender pay gap

A new study has found that the Fair Work Commission Australia inadvertently plays a key role in the gap between male and female wages. Whilst much of the wage gap, 18%, is due to employers paying workers above minimum wage, around 10% is due to minimum wage itself.

Whilst minimum wage is minimum wage and would, at first, appear to be the same for everyone, this is in fact not the case. Depending on the job at hand and years of experience the minimum wage varies between industries.

The study was conducted by the Melbourne Institute with results being released on Monday. Barbara Broadway, one of the authors of the study, said that there are “currently 122 federal awards covering a variety of industries and occupations” meaning that there are many different minimum wages throughout Australia.

Men and women, typically, partake in very different jobs and this is the major influence on the minimum wage gender pay gap.

An examination of records from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics survey conducted as part of the study showed that upwards of 90% of jobs held in the construction and road transport jobs are held by men. Contrastingly, women hold upwards of 80% of the jobs in retail, accommodation and social services.

The minimum wage in construction and road transport sees minimum wage of $22.58 and $20.83 per hour respectively. Those working in retail, accommodation and social services get paid between $15.67 and $18.27 an hours – a 22% decrease in average minimum wage.

In the case of minimum wage, the gender pay gap cannot stem from any form of employer discrimination based on gender. It is difficult to determine whether the laws surrounding minimum wages based on industry do employ any form of discrimination.

Many of the construction and road transport jobs could be deemed as more dangerous and dirty when opposed to those of retail and accommodation services and could be the reasoning behind the minimum wage difference. The study concludes, however, that the minimum wage rates have been determined based on what is appropriate.

The study outlines that those fields dominated by males may be the beneficiaries of “a long history of unionisation that led to higher wages” the study says.

Regardless, it appears that the Fair Work Commission is much fairer than wages determined externally from the commission. Jobs requiring a university education see no discrimination from the commission.

Ultimately, the study concludes that the wage gap is not only a matter of negotiation but is more often than not entrenched within legislation. The challenge is bridging the gender pay gap lies beyond the surface of simply paying women the same. It requires a deeper development both within the awards and encouraging negotiation by women for higher wages.

Jose Concepcion talks about his shipping company, Translogic Import & Export, Inc.

Jose Concepcion is the president of Translogic Import & Export, a shipping company based in Miami, United States. The business provides a variety of diverse and practical services designed to help international customers with shipping and receiving packages from within the US. Translogic’s services are also very helpful for US-based customers hoping to cut their international shipping costs.

Jose answered a few questions about Translogic and the industry he works in.

Jose, what exactly does Translogic do?

Our company offers a variety of shipping-based services to help both US and international customers with online purchases, correspondence, freight and their shipping needs. A lot of companies only ship to certain countries, and the United States is generally one of them. As a result, many international customers often look for ways they can order packages and items and have them shipped to the United States. Thankfully, we can be that intermediary.

What are some of your most popular services?

Generally, our most popular service is establishing a mailing address for international customers. We’ll organise a physical US address attached to your name, where items can be shipped to this address. From there, we can easily forward your mail/package on to another location, anywhere in the world.

We also offer a personal shopping service, which is very helpful if a US retailer doesn’t accept foreign or international credit cards. Fortunately, our team of personal shoppers can purchase the goods on your behalf and organise for your goods to be shipped to you.

What are some of the benefits of your services?

Our services are invaluable to international consumers. Clearly, we can help customers looking for a product that can’t be shipped to their country for whatever reason. Likewise, because we can help individuals establish a postal mailing address in the United States, our assistance can help save customers a lot of money when it comes to shipping and freight charges. On top of this, we handle all the stress and logistical requirements related to shipping your good, saving you a lot of time and stress!

We can also help you establish a US-based virtual office. Basically, this provides you with a US address, fax number and phone number. So, if you are looking to expand your business overseas and need a presence in the US so you can handle client work in the States, we can certainly aid.

What are some of the challenges your business has faced?

Like all businesses, we have encountered some challenges. In the early days of operation, our logistics system was not as refined or polished as it could have been. Over time, however, and with experience in the industry, we have adapted and refined our logistical framework to ensure that customers get their packages in a timely and cost-efficient manner. One way in which we lowered freight costs and improved delivery time efficiencies was to introduce multiple packaging strategies. When a client orders a product, we get in touch to verify if that will be the only product you will be purchasing. If you intend to purchase multiple products, we will endeavour to have them shipped to you collectively, reducing your international charges.

Is there a lot of competition in your industry?

International online shopping has grown immensely, so it would be safe to say that there is a fair amount of competition in the industry. Because of this competition, we recognise the importance of providing our customers with the support and flexibility they need.

As a result, we give our customers flexibility when it comes to shipping options. The customer chooses the carrier and how/when the deliver should be made. We mediate the process to ensure there are no logistical hiccups along the way.

What type of clients do you generally assist and service?

On average, we find that a lot of business owners need our services. Whether they be looking to expand their operations overseas and tap into the US market or purchase international goods to re-sell in their own country, we have helped both types of customers on many occasions.

At the end of the day, we assist those who need help organising international shipping deliveries and freight charges, regardless of the purpose.

What would be your advice to someone looking to get involved in international shipping and freight management?

There can be some long days when you’re first trying to establish your business. Some clients can be unreasonable and demanding, which can certainly test your patience. However, if you have a passion for what you do and love helping other people get the products they love, then this industry is right up your alley.

Thank you Jose for sharing your thoughts!
You can follow up with Jose Concepcion at https://translogicus.com

6 things to put on your bucket list in WA

When it comes to planning your bucket-list experiences in Western Australia, you’re going to require a rather large bucket, this state is not just big, it’s HUGE!

Featuring over 2.6 million square kilometres of dramatically different vistas – from pristine and rugged wildernesses to cultivated vineyards, aqua seas and pearly beaches to soaring red cliffs, unique geographical masterpieces to Mother Nature’s wild bounty, laid-back island discoveries to epic thrill rides – the extraordinary diversity of Western Australia offers something for everyone.

Many of WA’s once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list destinations are felt, rather than seen. They’ll fire up your imagination, capture your heart and stay with you long after you’ve left.

So where to start?

Here are six of the best destinations you should definitely put on your WA ‘to-do’ list:

Cape to Cape Track

Cape to Cape Track
Photo: Pixabay

This 135km walking trail along the magnificent and unspoilt coastline of the south western side of the state is a must.  It’s a very manageable multi-day trek (you can always do short day hikes too) from Cape Naturaliste in the north to Cape Leeuwin in the south, and meanders along well-signposted and marked bush tracks.

The trail is part of the world-famous 1000km Bibbulmun Track and showcases the diversity of the region in all its glory with cliffs, caves, headlands, unique rock formations and coastal vegetation contrasting spectacularly with aquamarine waters and white beaches, plus you’ll see an ever-changing display of vegetation and wildflowers.

Snorkelling at Ningaloo Reef

Underwater photo of woman snorkeling in a clear tropical water at coral reef observing moray eel
Photo: BlueOrange Studio, BS

Those in the know say that Ningaloo Reef is even more impressive than the Great Barrier Reef and with a kaleidoscope of colourful coral, tropical fish, turtles, manta rays, dolphins, dugongs and other marine creatures literally within walking distance from the water’s edge, it’s definitely more accessible.

Ningaloo Reef is the world’s largest fringing reef and it’s also one of the only places on earth where you can actually swim with the 18-metre long whale shark, the world’s biggest fish.  But don’t let the word ‘shark’ put you off.  These gentle giants have a jaw that’s made for eating krill, not humans, so all you need to worry about is making the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Karijini National Park

Karijini National Park
Karijini National Park. Photo: RuRu_SG, Pixabay

Awestruck is a word that visitors use to describe how they felt when they visited Karijini National Park. Two billion years in the making, this national park enchants, surprises, delights and leaves an indelible memory on every heart that is lucky enough to visit here.  It’s a visual feast of spectacular gorges, rocky red terraced ranges, ancient chasms, refreshing waterfalls, hidden emerald waterholes, green plants, abundant wildlife and ancient art – and that’s only the beginning.

If you’ve got a thirst for adventure, Kariniji is the tonic to quench it. It’s got hiking trails and spider-walks through the narrow canyons, guided tours, campsites, eco safari tents and picnic areas, all of which add up to a magical experience in a place that many say is the outback’s ‘best-kept secret’.

Horizontal Falls

Horizontal Falls
Horizontal Falls. Photo: Reefpix, Wikimedia Commons

When is a waterfall not a waterfall? When it goes sideways of course. Seriously? Well, seeing is believing and unless you’ve experienced the utterly extraordinary spectacle of the Horizontal Falls deep in the remote recesses of the Kimberley, it’s impossible to imagine.

This incredible phenomenon, created by massive tidal swells and billions of litres of seawater crushing through two narrow gorges of the McLarty Ranges, was once described by David Attenborough as one of the ‘wonders of the natural world’. And for good reason.  Don’t miss a unique perspective on this majestic scene with a low level seaplane flight (you’ll also get breathtaking views of the thousands of islands of the nearby Buccaneer Archipelago) and test your nerves with a jet boat ride at speed through the rushing power of the ‘Horries’.

Beguiling Broome

Beguiling Broome
Photo: Walkerssk, Pixabay

Yes, the camel ride on Sunset Beach is the most instagrammed image of Broome, but trust us, there’s more to this outback resort town than 22 kilometres of beach and a peaceful meander atop a two-humped desert animal.

Broome has a huge amount of fascinating and fun things to do and see and it’s one of those places that you really should visit once in your lifetime. It’s got a rich and captivating history, intertwined with the pearling industry which still continues to this day. It’s a tropical paradise, a multicultural melting pot with a laid-back coastal vibe where elegant food, shopping and entertainment sit comfortably side-by-side with its unspoilt wilderness.  The Dampier Peninsula. Spectacular diving at Rowley Shoals. Cape Leveque. Willie Creek Pearl Farm. Dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point. And so much more. Put Broome on your bucket-list and you won’t be disappointed.

Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island. Photo: Holgi, Pixabay

Roger Federer put ‘Rotto’ on the world map with his quokka selfie but he was probably more impressed with the breathtaking scenery of this remarkable place than with its little marsupial inhabitants.

An easy 45-minute ferry ride from Perth, Rottnest Island is a fave among the locals. It’s a family-friendly holiday destination, a top spot for an awesome day trip, a fisherman’s paradise, a snorkellers’ dream, a beachbum’s hangout, a nature lover’s utopia and a golfer’s delight. But that’s not all that this car-free paradise has to offer.

Easy, flat trails make cycling and walking a cinch (and there’s always the convenient Island Explorer bus if you need it) and with 63 beaches and over 20 bays, there’s a beautiful surprise around every corner. Azure waters, soft sandy beaches, picturesque rock formations, whales, coral reefs, wrecks, surf breaks, boardwalks, restaurants, bars, overnight accommodation, kids’ entertainment and more, Rotto packs plenty of pleasure into its compact space.

And why not top off your bucket-list experience with an incredible tandem skydive and a beach landing on the sandy shores of this famous island? When you skydive in Perth over Western Australia’s finest beaches and see the colourful contrasts over Rottnest from the unique perspective thousands of feet above, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.  And it’ll probably be an experience you’ll want to repeat.

Emilia Clarke and Kit Harrington’s Game of Thrones outfits are influencing the fashion industry

The hit HBO series Game of Thrones will be returning to screens for its eighth and final season on April 14th this year.

It is undeniable that the show has had a huge impact on the entertainment industry and pop culture. However, something that has come as a surprise is the impact the series has had on the fashion industry.

Interestingly, it is now being suggested that the most avant garde and incredible pieces of clothing are not displayed on catwalks at high end fashion shows, but instead on our screens in big budget TV series.

It’s no secret that the costumes worn by the cast, in particular Emilia Clarke (Daenerys Targaryen) and Kit Harrington (Jon Snow), are incredible. Due to the medieval, fantasy nature of the show, it should come as no shock that the costume designers had the freedom to create intricate and extravagant outfits for the characters.

But who would have thought that these costumes would have such a big influence on the fashion industry? Here is a brief look into how the show has impacted fashion.

Capes

Experts have stated that the character that’s has “the greatest impact on the runway to date” is Emilia Clarke’s Daenerys Targaryen. The character has sported many stunning outfits.

However, the outfit that has arguably had the largest impact on the fashion industry is the white caped dress.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blqq5lchyMn/

This outfit changed the game when it came to fashion, with many designers creating similar styles. Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Katy Perry were both seen sporting a similar style after the show aired.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BBLJwi-KUto/

It is also important to note the effect this outfit had on bridal dresses. Many wedding dress designers, such as Ellie Saab began to create pieces that incorporated capes. There has been a dramatic growth in brides opting to wear a dress with a long cape, instead of a veil.

Faux fur

Another Game of Throne inspired fashion trend is faux fur. Whilst fur has been prominent on and off in fashion for several years, the trend is certainly back in.

Many high street and high end designers are opting to take notes from the iconic overcoats worn by the likes of Jon Snow and Sansa Stark.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuChzirgZIM/

It has become common to see outerwear with faux fur collars and sleeves. The trend of the ‘teddybear coat’ with its over-sized, faux fur appearance could be seen as a modern interpretation of this trend.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsIaPVYAlAK/

The faux fur trend coming back into fashion is clearly inspired by the outfits on the show.It is said that a range of different designers have “produced collections inspired directly by GoT or the medieval period”.

Leather

Leather is a prominent fabric used for costumes in the show; this is most commonly worn by male characters or androgynous characters (such as Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth).

This trend has therefore also influenced men’s fashion, with experts claiming “With… leather, Snow is the original bad boy encouraging men to grow out their hair”.

Experts have also said that the leather worn by many characters in the series, such as Jon Snow, “is a reference to the modern punk,”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuCDeNBBxo8/

More alternative fashion items are becoming more popular with designers and have been “seen on the runways of Saint Laurent and Celine’s first menswear show”.

Fashion and entertainment experts have both noted that the Game of Thrones fashion appeals to the edgier dresser. “The cast of Game of Thrones is different to the traditional Hollywood celebrity — they appeal to a more alternative crowd,”

It has also been suggested that “It’s a look that’s not afraid to push the boundaries in terms of individuality.” It appears that the fashion industry is taking notes from shows such as this and is becoming more open to experimenting with more alternative and interesting styles.

Cormann pays for outstanding holiday flights following media inquiries

The Federal Finance Minister says that he had not been aware of the outstanding fee of over $2700 for a family holiday in January 2018 until the media pointed it out.

The flights were booked via the Helloworld travel company in July of 2017.

Senator Cormann blamed an administrative error on the fact that the company had failed to charge him for the cost of the flights. The money was immediately paid after news organisations raised the issue with his office.

He said that “until approached by the media” that he had no idea the payment was still due and the “the payment was processed immediately” after discovering the debt in Helloworld’s system.

He said that, at the time, he believed that his credit card was correctly charged when he booked the flights with Helloworld.

The Finance Minister made public a letter dated for February 19, 2019 in which the CFO of Helloworld, Michael Burnett, said that reminder of payment notices had not been delivered to Senator Cormann even though his payment had been officially declared “outstanding”.

In the letter, Mr Burnett stressed that the flights “were never intended to be free” and that full payment was always expected.

Federal Liberal treasurer Andrew Burnes is the chief executive of Helloworld.

Senator Cormann has denied claims there is a link between a subsidiary of Helloworld receiving a government contract and the flights he forgot to pay for.

He said that he did not “influence or seek to influence the outcome of that tender process,” and that he had “no role” in the awarding of the contract.

Scores on the rise as the AFLW season powers through a slow start

While the first round of the AFLW featured low scores and heavy defence, by the third round open play and goal kicking is deciding matches. It is clear that over the last three weeks accuracy and skill levels have increased, as the players have gained valuable match fitness and experience. At this rate the finals series will be a cracker!

This year also features the first group of women who have been able to play footy their whole lives, without needing to stop at 14 when girls used to have to stop playing. As more of these young women come through the pathways we can also expect the standard of play to lift.

In the first round 3 out of the 10 teams failed to score 20 points, while a further 4 couldn’t make it to 30. The Bulldogs even managed a win with 18 points, while Geelong won with 24 and Brisbane with 29! Just 2 weeks later all 5 winning teams hit 50, with Melbourne, Carlton and Adelaide reaching 60, and of the losers GWS and Geelong were over 35 while the Bulldogs, Magpies and Lions were around 20.

Accuracy has also massively increased, with the higher scores tending to be a result of more successful goals and less behinds than in round 1. In round 1 Adelaide scored 17 points with 11 behinds and a single goal, while in round 3 they got to 66 with 10 goals and 6 behinds. They only had 4 more shots at the goals, but far more of them collected the full 6 points.

Crowds are also doing well, with over 3,000 people at each of the 5 games last weekend – in fact, Fremantle drew about 5,500, while 4,500 went in Adelaide and 4,200 went in Brisbane. The AFLW is continuing to grow and become more entertaining, and as seasons get longer and more girls come through AFL pathways this trend will only continue.

Allergies are on the rise in Australia and there’s no answer

Australia now has one of the highest rates of allergies in the world, according to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Roughly 1 in 10 infants now experience a food allergy and the occurrence of anaphylaxis in children has increased significantly. While there are various studies floating around trying to nail down what could be the reason for this, a scientific consensus has still not been reached.

Who is at risk?

Australian infants are particularly vulnerable at developing a food allergy, especially those with atopic eczema. Furthermore, those with a family history of allergies are likely to develop an allergy of some description, while first-born Australians with immigrant parents are also more susceptible according to the study.

What has caused this?

The cause of the recent growth in food allergy occurrence remains unanswered. However, there are some preliminary studies that could be nailing down why this anomaly has occurred. Firstly, there is a growing amount of evidence to suggest that introducing peanuts and eggs into an infant’s diet could be beneficial to the child and reduce the occurrence of foot intolerances. This conflicts with decades of medical advice, which suggested that eggs and peanuts should be removed from a child’s diet.

Another argument being raised is the rapid changes in food manufacturing and diets over the past half a century. This raises the importance of the microbiome, which refers to the trillions of microorganisms in our lungs, skin and gastro system. It is suggested that we need the right kind of microorganisms to help train our immune system and prevent the onset of intolerances.

What should we do?

So, what can we do right now? Well, firstly, if you’re a parent or guardian, experts say you should try and introduce eggs and peanuts into your child’s diet as early as possible. Likewise, you should also minimise exposure to bad health habits, like smoking and any poor dieting behaviours. Finally, the best thing is education: know what the allergy is, what foods cannot be consumed and how to deal with the intolerance.

How online flyers can save you a lot of money when shopping

Everybody enjoys shopping, whether it be for electronics, clothing, makeup, decor or sporting goods. There is a certain type of thrill and energy that you can only experience when shopping. This happiness come from the release of dopamine in our system, making us feel good and encouraging us to go back for more. Often, this is where repeat purchases and buyer loyalty come in. 

In Australia, it’s pretty common for office workers to blow off a bit of steam during their lunch break with a spot of shopping. While mothers might like to combine some weekday grocery shopping with a stroll down the fashion and beauty sections, men tend to do more of their shopping online and on weekends. What is more obvious, however, is the growth in online shopping as a new way of purchasing the things we love for cheaper prices. 

One thing everyone loves is discounted prices. This is the ultimate shopping buzz for most people. The best time to catch a bargain is midweek starting from Wednesday or Thursday. The hump day draws out more people looking to escape from work for a while. Retailers are aware of shopper behaviours and align their promotions accordingly. Most stores distributing promotional flyers and leaflets will drop these midweek, as they know this is the prime time to get people into stores.

Online leaflets

We all know people who are serious about collecting store leaflets. Often, they like to plan  their purchases in advance based on discounted prices. There are plenty of websites out there devoted to informing consumers where all the new discounts are. This can be really helpful if you’re busy and don’t have time to spend hours perusing through different online catalogues. This makes shopping faster and more convenient. Indeed, it is because of this reason that I prefer to use online leaflets to find out about the newest promotions before my neighbours!

One of the main reasons online leaflets are more popular is because most people and companies are becoming more interested in environmental protection. Consumers are becoming more environmentally-conscious and ethical, so anything that is going to enhance customer value without harming the environment will be appreciated by more and more customers. 

Another benefit of using online flyer websites is access to catalogues that don’t get delivered to all homes. Many stores no longer deliver their flyers, leaflets and catalogues to all postcodes and some stores now only display flyers in-store.

Regardless, you can all get the latest promotions online and save money, while not missing out on the enjoyment of shopping!

How can I save more money while shopping?

Woman shopping for groceries
Photo: kc0uvb, Pixabay

Knowing where the best discounts are during the week is the first step in becoming a savvy shopper. The second step focuses on how you can save money WHILE shopping! Here are several top tips you can use to ensure you save money while shopping:

Find out where the discounts are before hand

It’s important that you find out where the discounts are ahead of time. Use businesses that list discounts to keep up to date. From this, you can create a savvy and cheaper shopping list. 

Write your shopping list before hand

Write down your shopping list in your notepad or smartphone before you leave so as to avoid unnecessary purchases or over purchasing a particular item you already have stocked. 

Get the family pack

Shopping with the family? Know what meal options are available in family packages ahead of time and purchase these options for the family. This goes for entertainment too, like movie tickets.

Don’t go grocery shopping while hungry

It may sound incidental, however, shopping for food when you’re hungry could result in unnecessary purchases. Your eyes are bigger than your stomach and your shopping trolley could soon be overflowing.

Don’t forget the lower shelves

Make sure you browse the lower shelves. Brands pay more for mid shelf displays, so make sure you browse lower shelves and you may be surprised to find competitively priced, quality goods!

Final tips

Reducing our expenses doesn’t end with our weekly shop. Good saving habits are more critical than ever due to the rising costs of living. Here are some further top tips for reducing your household expenses:

Weekly meal budget

What days will you cook at home? What will you cook? Set a day for eating out, and enjoy it! Keep control of your money! 

Utilities

People on mobiles
Cut down on your phone bills. Photo: terimakasih0, Pixabay

Get in the habit of reviewing your electricity, phone and water bills. Make adjustments in usage where necessary.

Transportation

Invest in a bicycle for your local shopping needs! Not only do you save money on car expenses, or public transport, but you also get regular exercise.

Shop smart, save money and enjoy life more!