Takeaway meals, dates and holidays are on the chopping block as Aussies look to ease cost-of-living pressures in in 2026.
Compare the Market research found almost half of surveyed Australians intend to cut back on takeaway meals (48.3%) in the new year to save more money.
This was followed by takeaway drinks and coffees (37.2%), dining out and dates (32.5%), shopping for clothes (32.3%), and holidays and travel (31.1%).
The cost of meals out and takeaway food increased 3.6% in 12 months to October 2025, while clothing and footwear were up 5.4%, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
At a national level, surveyed Australians reported they had $67,326 worth of savings on average – but a state-by-state breakdown reveals Queenslanders were typically the biggest money savers, with an average $69,571 stashed away.
| State | Average savings amount |
| QLD | $69,571 |
| NSW | $64,901 |
| VIC | $67,752 |
| SA | $66,409 |
| WA | $53,017 |
Source: Compare the Market
Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said inflation and budget pressure had forced many Australians to save more consciously.
“When saving is on the agenda, those non-essential, lifestyle purchases are usually the first-place people look,” Mr Ford said.
“For some people, that may be cooking more food at home, taking a shorter or more local holiday, or thinking twice about the next clothes purchase.
“Cutting down on excessive spending is a good idea. But if saving ends up sucking all the joy out of life, you’ll end up burning out fast.”
Mr Ford said savers may have better luck targeting some of their bigger household bills.
Electricity bills (18%), grocery shopping (17%), and home loan repayments (17%) were the three financial headaches for Australians heading into 2026.
“We know around a quarter of Aussies haven’t shopped around for a better deal on any of their biggest grudge purchases – things like energy bills, home loans and insurances – for at least a year,” Mr Ford said.
“But these big bills are actually a great place to start if you’re looking to save, especially when the best discounts are often reserved for people who switch.
“The unfortunate reality is the cost-of-living probably won’t get better in 2026 – and on top of growing household bills, we could see another cash rate hike.
“So, make it your New Year’s resolution to look for better deals so you can save on the boring stuff, and still enjoy the things you love most.”
When referencing this research, please attribute: https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/
Disclaimers
Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,010 Australians in December 2025.
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