Skip to main content

By Koren Helbig
Koren Helbig sits at her dining table with a raised laptop, keyboard and mouse, working from home.

  • Searching for things I need on the second-hand market first — everything from clothing and furniture to building materials and garden tools.
  • Supplementing my diet with homegrown veggies, foraged edible weeds and even supermarket bin-diving.
  • Buying a cheap car that I could pay for outright rather than taking out a loan – and aiming to ride my bike where possible to save on petrol.
  • Connecting to the "free economy" via my local Buy Nothing group
  • Sharing internet with my neighbours.
  • Choosing cheaper ways to have fun with friends, such as beach picnics or homemade dinners over expensive nights out. My favourite book — The Art of Frugal Hedonism — is a constant source of ideas.

Get a mid-week boost and receive easy recipes, wellbeing ideas, and home and garden tips in your inbox every Wednesday. You’ll also receive a monthly newsletter of our best recipes.
Your information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.
Posted , updated