Energy Tips
Your November Checklist: Get Ahead on Holiday Savings
Looking to score some extra savings this holiday season? Check out these tips
Important Points
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November is the perfect month to prepare your energy bills, budget, and home before the holiday rush.
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Take a few minutes to compare your energy plan. Many Aussies are still on outdated plans that cost more than they should.
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Check if you’re eligible for energy rebates or cost-of-living support available in your state or territory.
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Get organised now so you can relax and actually enjoy the holiday season without stressing over the bills.
Before the festive chaos kicks in, November’s the sweet spot to get your finances, energy use, and home in order. With the cost-of-living crisis still affecting millions of households, a few small wins now can make December a whole lot less stressful (and expensive).
Here’s your easy November checklist to get ahead on holiday savings.
1. Make Your Energy Plan Work for Your Christmas Budget
Let’s start with something that could save you money.
Electricity, gas, whatever’s powering your place. The truth is, energy prices have been volatile and the only way to make sure you’re paying a competitive price for your usage is to compare plans against yours.
So here’s what you do: set aside ten minutes this month to compare your current plan. Are there newer, cheaper plans? Better solar feed-in tariff rates? Is a provider offering a new-customer bonus? With the cost-of-living pressure still high, sorting this out now could give you a jump start on your savings.
Let’s be honest: who can say no to more breathing room when it comes to their finances?
12. Tune Up Your Energy Habits to Stretch Your Christmas Budget ?
We’re not talking about lighting candles for every room, just being a little smarter with your energy consumption so you have more in your budget for christmas spending.
Start by checking if your big-ticket appliances (like the fridge or air con) are still running at an efficient manner. A quick clean or a new fridge seal can make a surprising difference.
If you’ve got a smart meter or usage app, take a look at your daily energy consumption. Are you using more electricity on certain hours or days than others? Your energy habits will dictate a good portion of your power bill, so cutting back can make a bigger difference than you might think.
And if your household’s growing, being aware now can help you plan around it.
23. Plan Your Gift Spending Before December Panic Mode
Impulse shopping in December? We’ve all been there.
Setting a clear gift budget early in November gives you time to shop early, nab those lightning deals, avoid last-minute markups, and keep control of your spending.
Start by listing who you actually need to buy for, and set a realistic limit per person. Then, look for creative options that feel meaningful but don’t cost a fortune. Think experience gifts, DIY hampers, or practical presents. The novel stuff is nice but let’s be realistic, most of those gather dust on a shelf.
Planning ahead also means you can dodge the dreaded shipping delays and avoid those overpriced “express” delivery fees that seem to pop up mid-December.
34. Get Your Home Summer-Ready
Before the heat sets in and guests arrive, it’s a good idea to go around the house to check a few things.
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Seal up draughts to keep cool air in and reduce how hard your AC has to work.
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Clean or replace filters on air conditioners, efficiency means less energy (and less cost).
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Switch to LEDs if you haven’t already. They use around 75% less power than old halogens.
These are small one-off tasks that can make a noticeable difference in both your comfort and your bills.
45. Take Advantage of Rebates or Energy Support
Many Aussies still don’t realise they’re eligible for energy bill rebates or cost-of-living relief – these can range from one-off payments to discounts, and even loan assistance. Each state and territory offers something unique and different, so make sure to check your state’s government website.
56. Make the Most of Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are right around the corner – if you haven’t started on your list, now’s the time.
These massive November sales events are perfect for ticking off your Christmas list early while saving a chunk of cash.
Just remember: stick to your list.
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and end up with things you don’t actually need.
A good rule of thumb? If you wouldn’t have bought it at full price, it’s probably not a bargain.
67. Use Cashback Apps & Loyalty Points
Here’s a little trick that can make your Christmas shopping go further: cashback and loyalty programs.
When you’re purchasing gifts online, use cashback apps that give you a small percentage of your purchase back. Over a few weeks, that can add up to quite the amount (or even help pay for that Christmas Day spread).
Don’t forget to check your credit card or store rewards points; many programs let you redeem them for gift cards or even products.
8. Enjoy a Stress-Free Holiday
The lead-up to the holidays can be full-on. Between budgeting, shopping, cooking, and family plans, it’s easy to burn out before the first plate hits the table.
Taking a few moments this month to get organised means you can actually enjoy the season, lights on, air con running, and all.
Author
Benjamin TomBenjamin is a utility specialist passionate about creating informative content about the energy, internet, and solar markets. With extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Benjamin drives our unique blog posts, articles, and reviews. He is focused on breaking down the technical jargon so our readers can better understand the telco market and industry. Whether he is comparing the latest internet deals or creating unique guides, Benjamin takes great pride in creating helpful, easy-to-read content.
