With the festive season gone, summer holidays finished and back-to-school bills starting to roll in, Consumer NZ is sharing tips to help you save some cash.

Consumer NZ communications and campaigns manager Sahar Lone says as Kiwis continue to face the pressures of rising living costs, finding ways to save money is becoming increasingly important.

“With some small adjustments to your spending habits, though, you could easily save thousands in 2025. Here are five practical tips to help you keep more of your money where it belongs – in your bank account.”

Tip one

Switching your car insurance provider could save you as much as $670 a year.

“Our car insurance survey found the difference between the highest and lowest premiums for a family was $56 a month – or $670 a year.

“Car insurance premiums can vary significantly for the same coverage, so it’s worth investing a little time into shopping around,” said Lone. “Make sure you’re getting the same or better coverage for less. You could think about increasing your excess or paying annually to further reduce your premiums.”

Tip two

Lone said Kiwis can save up to $825 by shopping around for groceries. “There can be a big difference between what you pay for the same product at different supermarkets.”

By shopping around, people could save hundreds over a year, making it a game-changing tip.

“If you have the time and it won’t cost you too much in petrol, you could divide your shopping list into the supermarkets where you’ll find the best price. You can check prices on supermarket websites or using the Grocer app, so you know where to head before you set out.”

Tip three

Small changes in how you use power can lead to big savings, said Lone. “By adjusting the way you use your heat pump, switching off appliances at the wall and cutting down shower times, you can save hundreds each year.

“For example, setting your heat pump between 19C and 21C rather than turning the temperature up higher can save you $320 annually.

“Switching to cold water for laundry could save you $50 per year and reducing your shower length from 15 minutes to five minutes could save you up to $260 per person per year.”

Tip four

If paying for multiple streaming services, it might be time to review your subscriptions, said Lone.

“If you’re paying $20 a month for a service you don’t use much, unsubscribing could save you $240 per year.

“Streaming services add up quickly, but you don’t need to give up your favourite shows. You can service-hop, which is when you switch between services each month, so you still get to watch the latest movies and shows but aren’t paying for them all at the same time.”

Tip five

With power prices on the rise, switching to a cheaper plan – or changing which power company you’re with – could save you hundreds each year.

Lone said Consumer NZ’s free Powerswitch service helps you compare power plans and find the cheapest deal for your needs.

“By using Powerswitch, households can save an average of $494 annually.

“It’s a quick and easy way to ensure you’re not overpaying for electricity.”

In summary, Lone said small savings tweaks can add up. “With a few simple changes, you could save thousands of dollars over the course of the year.”

For more tips on smart spending, visit: www.consumer.org.nz.