Australians spill the ONE thing they’ve stopped buying in 2026 to save cash – and don’t miss at all
Australians have revealed the one everyday habit they’ve ditched in 2026 to save thousands – and many say they don’t miss it at all.
A candid Reddit thread has exploded with hundreds of responses from savvy locals lifting the lid on the surprisingly simple lifestyle changes that have helped them claw back cash during a cost-of-living crunch that refuses to ease.
And for the original poster, the answer was hiding in plain sight.
After taking a hard look at their spending, they realised how much money was quickly disappearing on subscriptions they barely used.
They cut several at the start of the year and, aside from the extra cash sitting in their account, didn’t even notice they were gone.
It sparked a broader rethink of easing off takeaway coffees, impulse online buys and ‘cheap’ subscriptions that add up frighteningly fast.
Across the thread, Australians shared the everyday luxuries they once considered untouchable, and why walking away from them has been oddly liberating.
Takeaway food was one of the biggest casualties, with one commenter admitting they stopped ordering $30 pizzas, opting instead for supermarket frozen bases topped at home.
Australians have revealed the one everyday habit they’ve ditched in 2026 to save thousands – and many say they don’t miss it at all, especially when it comes to takeaway coffees and food
Others ditched buying lunch altogether, making sandwiches instead and admitting they were ‘surprisingly satisfying’, especially when paired with the knowledge they hadn’t spent $15 on the same meal.
Another user swore off fast-food breakfasts and drive-through coffees, describing the routine as stressful, expensive and often disappointing.
Instant coffee and toast from home, they said, was cheaper, quicker and far less frustrating.
Takeaway coffee also featured heavily, with several Australians admitting the daily barista habit was draining their bank accounts more than they realised.
One said a small home coffee machine bought over Christmas had ‘already saved them at least $40 a week’, – and the coffee was good enough that they didn’t miss café-made cups at all.
Others limited takeaway coffees to a single weekly treat, choosing to dine in and savour it rather than gulp it down on the run.
When it came to subscriptions, many had undergone a ruthless cull with streaming services first to go.
Several cancelled everything except one music app, while others abandoned paid music altogether after their subscription lapsed and they ‘couldn’t be bothered’ updating payment details.
When it came to subscriptions, many had undergone a ruthless cull with streaming services first to go. Several cancelled everything except one music app, while others abandoned paid music altogether after their subscription lapsed and they ‘couldn’t be bothered’ updating payment details
Some took a more ideological approach, cutting all subscriptions and online orders from large corporations they felt didn’t act in good faith, saying they felt better both financially and ethically without them.
Alcohol was another major expense Australians said they’d quietly eliminated, with one person crediting Dry January with transforming how they felt admitting they weren’t sure they missed drinking at all.
Another, who quit alcohol more than two years ago, said the compounded savings were staggering – not just from drinks, but from the knock-on costs like late-night rideshares, takeaway orders and impulse purchases that followed a few beers.
For others, the savings came from clothes and beauty, with several Australians committed to buying second-hand clothing only for the year, noting how easy it was to drop $100 on just a couple of new items.
Exceptions were practical ones, like workwear and running shoes, but the shift away from fast fashion was described as eye-opening.
Beauty lovers also tightened the reins, using up makeup they already owned, stretching salon appointments as long as possible and even repurposing products instead of buying new ones.
Other’s who quit alcohol more than two years ago, said the compounded savings were staggering – not just from drinks, but from the knock-on costs like late-night rideshares, takeaway orders and impulse purchases that followed a few beers
Some said paying cash for nails or lashes helped keep spending in check too.
Technology and entertainment weren’t spared either, with some stopping buying new computer games, acknowledging they already owned more than they could realistically play.
Another revealed they’d switched back to Android phones, citing better value for money and more flexibility if saving was the priority.
One Australian said they moved house and decided not to reconnect Wi-Fi at all, instead upgrading their mobile plan to bank data and was planning to downgrade once the deal expired.
The overwhelming theme running through the hundreds of responses was that many of these expenses had become habits rather than conscious choices.
