The game-changing shopping hack that saved a mum $280 on essential purchase
Nicki Powell is going through all of her expenses with a fine-tooth comb during the cost of living crisis, like so many other Aussies right now.
That's led her to review her car insurance and electricity to make sure she's getting the best deal and inspired her to sign up to Costco for the savings on bulk-buys.
"[The cost of living crisis has been] absolutely tricky and we've actually just purchased a property. So we had the double whammy of a mortgage and then the cost of living going up at the same time, which was also pretty scary," she tells 9honey Money.
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Melbourne mum Nicki Powell saved $276 using a shopping app. Supplied
She's also big on shopping around for the best deal, but as necessary as that is right now it takes time and can cause frustration and indecision.
"I work full time and we've got four girls, we're a blended family, and I'm just so time poor and so in the past I've either overspent money and totally regretted it or it just takes hours and it takes like a whole day of the weekend, and then I feel like I've wasted my whole weekend on shopping... complete waste of time," she says.
It wasn't until Powell tried an app called Zyft that the price comparison process became so easy she found the most affordable option in seconds, saving hundreds on an essential purchase.
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Zyft has helped Nicki save time shopping around for the best deal. Supplied
"My most successful time was not too long ago and my fridge broke down and I was working full time, we had the whole weekend of school sports, everything like that – I knew I didn't have time to fix it. So I needed to get a fridge ASAP," she says.
"I did a bit of research online, chucked it into my you laptop and then Zyft overlaid (popped up on the browser to compare prices) and I saved $276 on a Samsung fridge and I got it, I think it was the next day."
The Melbourne-based mum is now running every possible purchase through the app in the hopes of saving even a few dollars.
She even managed to save $4 on a specific basketball that the family needed.
"It's just the time for me. It's just been so convenient," Powell says.
But Powell isn't stopping there with her mission to find the best deal, she's using it to find lower prices for everything she needs for her new house and renovation.
Powell has also reviewed expenses like car insurance and electricity. Supplied
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And when not looking for the most affordable option for her expenses, she's finding ways to stretch what she already has further and it's working.
"With hand washes I do half water, half hand wash. I just I find that with four kids, there's just no point using the whole [thing] I just I just dilute it. I actually dilute the conditioner as well because we have four girls," she says.
When asked if this hack actually helps the conditioner and hand wash last longer, she said "absolutely".
"And then I don't care that they're doing massive handfuls of conditioner, you know?"
Since being published this story has been updated. Disclaimer: Access to the talent in this story was provided by Zyft.
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