Small Money Moves That Make a Big Difference
Before we dive into Silly Season, I wanted to share a few budgeting learns from my own 2025.
It has been a year of juggling big goals, little treats and all the fun (and not so fun) bits in between. Moving cities, helping a kid through uni, sneaking away for weekends, navigating a pretty tough economy and still trying to plan for the medium and long term.
Basically, real life in all its forms.
Right now my short term goals look like saving for a home, getting a dog and planning a micro wedding. Medium term, I want to finally travel more. I was a young mum and haven’t seen much of the world yet. And long term, I dream of buying land where my whanau and friends can live together. A place for everyone to age, grow and laugh in one spot. One day I would also love to step back a little and soak up time with the people I love most. Hopefully as a very proud Nana.
Here are the budgeting habits that actuallyyyyy made a difference for me this year.
Hopefully they help you too as we head into the spendiest time of year.
Beauty and fashion… on a budget that still feels good
I used to be deep in my Level 4 Beauty Loop era, so 2025 was the year I got smarter with my beauty spend. I started comparing ingredients on TikTok and ChatGPT to find cheaper swaps that still work for my skin, leaned into makeup dupes (MCO Beauty, Revlon and Maybelline are my holy trinity), stocked up only during sales and started doing my own brows and hair colour at home.
The biggest game changer though? Thrifting. Wellington turned me into a thrifting girlie and honestly, my wardrobe has never been better.
None of it felt like missing out. Just choosing smarter versions of the things I already loved.
Tiny habits that made a big difference
These sound small, but they genuinely shifted things for me.
I wear SPF every day so I’m not tempted by pricey corrective treatments later. I clean my makeup brushes often so they last longer and behave better. I take a couple of supplements that support my skin and hair. And I drink more water than I ever thought I needed.
Boring? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
Gifting without blowing the budget
Gifts are my love language, so this one needed some love.
This year I leaned into homemade things, thrifting special pieces and keeping shared notes lists with the people closest to me so I can buy something they genuinely want, within budget, and sometimes way before the birthday or Christmas rush.
I also now use Hide My Email when I shop online to avoid the endless SALE emails that send me spiralling. Best boundary I set all year.
Food swaps that changed everything
Groceries and eating out can chew through a budget quietly, so I tightened this area first.
I switched to online ordering so I’m not tempted by extras in store, started planning weekly menus, and kept eating out as a treat rather than an everyday habit. And then there were picnics. Packed food, a pretty spot, job done. They’ve become part of my personality at this point.
Simple swaps, huge difference.
Making our annual friends trip easy
Every year my partner and I head away with another couple. We used to wing it. Now we’ve nailed a system.
We each put fifty dollars per couple per week into a shared account. That pot covers accommodation, food, fuel and activities. This year we even came home with one hundred and forty dollars still in the kitty.
Packing lunches and snacks was the biggest saver. Almost no unnecessary spending while we were away.
Fitness that fits real life
Movement matters to me, but it needs to make sense financially too.
My nineteen dollar gym membership covers my weights and cardio sessions, walking and running tracks keep things interesting and golf is my guilty pleasure. My membership will definitely earn its keep this summer.
Affordable, easy and consistent.
Budgeting is not about cutting the fun out of summer. It is about enjoying it without the January sting.
With a few small tweaks now, you can slide into Christmas feeling calmer, more prepared and still very ready for that extra marg.
Until next time,
Rochelle and the girls and R&P
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