Spring clean your finances: simple steps to get money back on track

Now is the time to take control of your money. A fresh season is the perfect chance to dust off your money goals, pay off debt faster, start saving, and reach your financial goals with confidence. At MyBudget, we believe every day is the right day to get your personal finances organised.

Spring clean your money: budget better, get out of debt and start saving

Spring cleaning your finances is like decluttering your home, except you’re tackling bank accounts, utility bills, and habits instead of cupboards. Review your budget. Cancel subscriptions you don’t use. Compare different insurance policies. Make sure your money goes to important things. These include paying off debt, building savings accounts, and reaching your long-term financial goals.

“Being with MyBudget has really helped us achieve our goals faster than we ever thought possible.”

Erin & Adam, MyBudget clients

Why a healthy money mindset is the key to creating good financial habits 

Practising a healthy money mindset is the first step to a successful financial spring clean. Even if your financial start hasn’t been perfect, it’s never too late to change your money story. Mindfulness around spending, saving and credit helps you stay intentional with your choices. Small shifts can have a big impact, such as:

• Do a weekly money check-in with your partner or family
• Create a realistic money plan that matches your lifestyle and goals
• Practise gratitude for progress made, no matter how small
• Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures
• Focus on what you already have instead of what you lack
• Visualise your long-term financial goals to stay motivated
• Remind yourself that small, consistent progress builds wealth over time
• Talk kindly to yourself about money, avoiding guilt or shame.

For more inspiration on how to have a healthy mindset, check out Tammy Barton’s blog on 7 secrets to a healthy mind.

10 tips to spring clean your finances

These quick money saving tips will help you budget better, reduce debt, and boost your savings with confidence.

1. Review your budget

If you’re wondering how to start a budget or how to budget better, begin by checking your account statements and transaction history. Are you still paying for things you don’t need? Is your household budget aligned with your lifestyle and long-term financial plan? Use our free Personal Budget Template and other budget planning tools to get a clear picture of your income, monthly bills, and savings potential.

2. Subscription audit

Streaming and entertainment services, apps, gym memberships, small costs add up quickly. Go through your bank account and cancel anything you’re not using. Our subscription creep guide is packed with money saving tips to help you spot sneaky holes in your budget.

3. Get a better deal on bills

With the rising cost of living, saving money on household bills can free up much-needed cash. Use our get a better deal checklist and comparison tools to check providers for electricity, car insurance, health insurance, and phone plans. This simple deep clean of your financial position is an easy way to get ahead financially without big sacrifices.

4. Set realistic financial goals

Want to buy your first home, save for a house deposit, or pay off credit card debt? Clear goal-setting gives you focus. At MyBudget, we’ll help you create a savings plan or debt management strategy that balances today’s needs with tomorrow’s dreams and helps you reach your long-term financial goals.

5. Start an emergency fund

Life happens, cars break down, kids need braces, jobs change. An emergency fund is essential to help with debt or avoid relying on personal loans. Even a small buffer of $500 to $1,000 makes a big difference. Need more assistance getting set up for an emergency, check out the full blog: How to set up an emergency fund.

I am very happy that l’ve joined MyBudget. It takes commitment and time but the results are great. They set me up to have the life style of my choice.

Giovanni, MyBudget client

6. Sort out your superannuation

Your super fund is one of your biggest long-term assets, yet many people lose money through duplicate accounts or missing paperwork. Take time to:

• Check your nominated beneficiaries are up to date, and ensure any binding beneficiary nomination forms are signed, submitted, and kept current (they generally need to be renewed every three years).
• Find and consolidate any lost super to avoid duplicate fees, use the Australian Taxation Office Super Finder Tool.
• Research the best-performing superannuation fund for your situation.
  
  Sorting your super now is a powerful step toward long-term financial planning and security.

7. Start meal planning

Food and drink are one of the biggest areas where households overspend. Meal planning to save money helps you avoid last-minute takeaways and impulse grocery buys. Use our free Meal Planning on a Budget Guide to create tasty, affordable meals while saving money on groceries.

8. Boost your savings

Automating transfers into a high-interest account helps you build savings consistently. Whether it’s for a holiday or a house deposit, a structured savings plan helps you stay motivated and see results faster. Use our Savings Calculator to see how quickly you can start saving money.

9. Refinance your home loan

When was the last time you checked if your home loan rates are still competitive? With interest rates changing, a quick home loan health check with MyBudget Loans could reveal ways to reduce your interest payments, save money on household bills, or pay off your mortgage faster. Our specialists will review your financial documents and guide you through the pros and cons of refinancing.

10. Consolidate credit card debt

Credit card debt and Buy Now, Pay Later accounts can quickly spiral out of control. Consolidating debt into one manageable repayment can reduce interest, simplify your monthly bills, help you get out of debt and save money faster. Our team can provide debt relief solutions, personalised strategies for paying off credit card debt, and help with debt management so you regain control. Is debt consolidation right for you?

FAQs for spring cleaning your finances

_{Tammy Barton, MyBudget Founder & Director, shares expert tips on how Australians can save money on household bills, reduce money stress, and get ahead financially.}

How MyBudget can help you reduce money stress and achieve your financial goals

Spring cleaning your finances isn’t just about saving a few dollars, it’s about creating a financial plan to reduce money stress, strengthen your financial position, and achieve your long-term goals. At MyBudget, we’ve helped over 130,000 Australians manage money better, reduce debt, and build savings for the future.

If you’re ready to see what your next 12 months of money could look like, book a free appointment with one of our caring money experts today or call us on 1300 300 922.