The cost of living is rising. Interest rates are up, household bills are increasing, and for many business owners, money simply isn't flowing the way it used to.

But I don't think the answer is to spend your life feeling like you have to cut back.

In this episode of Money with Alpha, I'm sharing some of the everyday things I do to keep our household costs under control, regardless of what is happening in the economy.

Because for me, this isn't really about "saving money".

It's about becoming more intentional and resourceful with the money you already have, and building habits that help make your financial life less vulnerable to what's happening in the outside world.

I talk about some of the practical strategies I use around:

• Groceries and food, including buying in bulk, shopping differently and making more from scratch

• Buying secondhand and why it can actually feel better than buying new

• Reviewing mortgages, debt and finance costs

• Why business owners with ATO debt need a plan rather than avoidance

• Reducing transport and fuel costs without necessarily feeling like you're missing out

• Reviewing insurance and utilities rather than automatically accepting annual increases

• Using AI to help compare bills, shop around and even use up what's already sitting in your pantry

• Knowing when AI is useful and when you really do need a skilled human professional

I also share why I think the mindset behind all of this matters.

There is a very different feeling between:

"I can't afford that."

and

"Is there a better way I could do this?"

One comes from restriction. The other comes from choice.

My aim isn't to create a life where you constantly feel like you're economising. It's to build a way of managing money that simply becomes your normal.

And when those habits are already in place, changes in interest rates, inflation and the economy hopefully have a little less power over your life.

If you'd like some help looking at your own finances and working out where you could make changes, you're welcome to book a free Discovery Chat with me.