Top Ways to Make and Save More in 2026

Now is a great time to look at your finances, set some goals and see what you can do to improve things in 2026.

Instead of the usual tips about reducing takeaway and coffee out, I put together a list of 25 things you can do to improve your finances last year that still apply for this year.

It includes things such as:
Being aware of your time and energy for planning activities, budget meetings, avoiding shopping etc.
How to maximise your income without adding a side hustle
Side hustle ideas to maximise income in short time frames if you want to
Create a retirement plan and maximise benefits/bonuses with it now without impacting your budget
Plan your year in quarters to increase motivation and achieve more

​It is a long article but well worth the read and not your usual list of frugal or side hustle tips. Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions :)

Also, check if there is anything you are eligible for in 2026 in terms of assistance from the government, free money or vouchers,\.

As for side hustles, I have 80+ side hustles for 2026 here.

How to Achieve Big Financial Goals (And My Goals For 2026)

What is your big financial goal for 2025? Remember, it doesn't have to be massive such as buying an investment property, ANY goal that feels big is a big goal for you!

Maybe you have $1,000 in debt to clear or want to save $2,000 in an emergency fund. When you're living week to week, those are huge goals and should be celebrated!

Buying a new car, taking a holiday, moving house, all those things cost a lot and are big goals.

So how can you achieve them? I share my tips here plus what we did to achieve some huge financial goals in the past few years such as custody of my older 2 kids, repatriation and setting up a new home, residency visa, commercial diving course, Invisalign, international wrestling competitions etc.

2025 did not go to plan due to an unexpected pregnancy, my eldest getting selected to go to Spain with Real Madrid, my second child receiving a NSW Commonwealth Games Youth Award and Grant, all of which delayed our plans to move across the country.

Then when we finally thought we were ready, my health declined drastically at the end of my pregnancy so we had to stay. Those delays meant moving was impractical as my eldest had to finish year 12. Had we moved earlier, everything was in place for them to do it by distance.

All of this meant that despite our plans and goals, it seemed something else was happening every month to change it. Learning to roll with the changes was a challenge for all of us and while we did achieve a lot, it felt like a year of limbo, simply waiting to move.

I'd love to hear what you're doing, so leave a comment on the article or share on socials and tag @thethriftyissue so I can comment and follow along.

What I Am Reading

​I have a list here of the books I am reading this year. I have scaled right back due to all the commitments I have with my kids. I don't get as much time to read as I used to but I still enjoy it.

Discounts For You!

​Get $125 from ING until March 31st​
​Get $15 instantly from Up Bank plus an extra $15 bonus for a limited time
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​Get other freebies and discounts including wine, travel, accommodation and food here.

The Thrifty Issue Community

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