A young worker who wants to both travel and save up a mortgage deposit is cutting back on essential groceries and buying heavily discounted food close to the expiry date to fund her lifestyle.
Ange Touch, 25, recently moved from Melbourne to Brisbane and works from home in a marketing job.
Amid the cost-of-living crisis, she wants to save up for a mortgage deposit and still travel – something she has so far done successfully, having been to Europe during the past year.
She is now planning to visit Japan, Cambodia and Thailand by New Year’s Eve, and hopes to see more of south-east Asia and the United States in coming years.
But to achieve this difficult goal, she has cut back on everyday items at the supermarket to build up her savings.
‘Like many others, I’ve had to make some adjustments in response to the rising cost of living,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Groceries, shopping, and going out are areas where I’ve cut back, as money doesn’t seem to stretch as far as it used to.
‘We’re all feeling it in our own ways, but I’ve had to prioritise certain expenses over others during these tough times.’
A work-from home professional has revealed she is cutting back on essential groceries so she can save up for a mortgage deposit and travel
She is now also buying discounted fruit and home brand products.
‘I am definitely going for the odd bunch and lowering my quality in fruit and veg that I use in my cooking,’ she said.
‘I am also not spending much on snacks and food items that are pre-packed as they are always more expensive.
‘I have found that I am going for home brand items way more and only ever buying things on sale – with at least a 40 per cent markdown unless it’s a real necessity – and even going for products close to their expiry date for the big markdown.’
She is also buying meat and seafood in bulk and storing more of it in the freezer.
‘I prioritise buying the best quality in things like meat and seafood so, I just focus on buying things in bulk to save money and freezing it,’ she said.
Ms Touch has also cut back on restaurants and gym classes.
‘I’ve become smarter about my grocery shopping – meal prepping for the week and limiting how much I eat out,’ she said.
‘I’m also more mindful of social activities and how often I spend on things like festivals, fitness classes, and other outings.’
Her goal is to buy a house in Melbourne’s south-east with a 20 per cent mortgage deposit and she has invested her savings in a Stockspot account to boost her returns.
‘I aspire to be a homeowner within the next few years,’ she said.
‘House for sure, I’d love to have a backyard.’
She wants to both buy a house and still travel, having recently spent six weeks in Europe and a week in Cambodia
‘While I continue to prioritise travel and experiencing new places, my savings are ultimately geared towards a house deposit.
‘For me, it’s about finding a home that I love, not just fulfilling the traditional Australian dream of owning property.’
Melbourne’s south-east still has pockets of affordability with Frankston North having a median house price under $600,000 – making it achievable for the average, full-time worker on a $100,000 salary.
This is significantly cheaper than a comparable outer suburb in Brisbane like Caboolture, where $726,735 is the mid-point.
Melbourne property values have gone backwards during the past year, because of the state government’s $975 investor tax, but in Brisbane, values have surged by 24 per cent thanks to strong interstate migration.
Ms Touch isn’t too worried about getting into the market without a 20 per cent mortgage deposit, to avoid the lenders mortgage insurance, and sees the potential of first-home buyer grants.
Her goal is to buy a house in Melbourne’s south-east with a 20 per cent mortgage deposit and she has invested her savings in a Stockspot account to boost her returns
‘No set time frame, maybe in the next couple of years but in no rush at all,’ she said.
The professional said she hoped to achieve her goals without completely depriving herself of life’s luxuries.
‘My advice is to find a balance between saving and spending so you maintain a healthy relationship with your finances,’ she said.
‘Save as much as you can, especially if you’re working towards a goal like a holiday or a house deposit.
‘But don’t deprive yourself either – if you can afford something you want, go for it.
‘After all, you’ve worked hard for your money, and it’s up to you how to spend it.’
