In the face of a relentless cost-of-living crisis, Australians are getting creative—and sometimes controversial—in their strategies to save money.

With budgets stretched thin, the line between frugality and fraudulence is becoming increasingly blurred for some.

Sports and comedy podcast Kick it Forward asked their audience about their money-saving tips.

Their responses ranged from harmless free food schemes to suspicious activities.

Starting with the clever hacks that won't land shoppers in hot water, Coles and Woolworths offer vouchers for a free roast chicken if they're out of stock.

Aussies shared their ways of saving money on a podcast. Image Credit: Shutterstock/Andrzej Rostek

This tip may need effort and timing, but it's a great way to snag free food that could last several meals.

Shoppers need to check the stores' policies and hours for this offer, and it is not available online.

There's a silver lining for Victoria renters if their landlords decide to sell the property they are living in.

Renters should be entitled to compensation for the inconvenience of inspections.

This compensation could vary from up to half a day's rent or $30, whichever is greater.

One Kick it Forward listener shared that they made around $450 by exercising this right.

Some Aussies admitted to pretending to be someone else to score discounts or freebies.

This included impersonating shopping centre employees for retail discounts.

Other comments pretend to be delivery drivers at fast food restaurants and walk away with an unpaid order.

While these schemes could save a few dollars, they could lead to legal trouble.

A commenter has been using a subscription trick involving bank cards with no funds to avoid paying for streaming services.

The rise in retail theft also became a prevalent issue.

Some Australians now view shoplifting as a 'badge of honour' to make ends meet.

Cases of supermarket theft led to several drastic security measures, such as cameras on checkout counters or GPS devices on fresh produce.

These measures also contribute to higher prices as stores recoup their losses.

Finder's personal finance expert Sarah Megginson spoke about the lengths some Aussies go to in order to shave dollars off their monthly expenses.

'People are very desperate, and they are driven to those measures,' Megginson stated.

'There's no part of our budget that is not being impacted at the moment, so people are literally looking at any opportunity they can to save.'

Watch a clip of the Kick it Forward podcast here:

Source: @thekickitforwardpodcast/TikTok​

While it's understandable to want to save money wherever possible, illegal actions will always have consequences.

Not only could shoppers face legal repercussions, but these actions can also have a broader impact on the community and economy.

Key Takeaways

• Australians started adopting various tactics to save money due to the cost-of-living crisis.
• Major supermarkets started offering vouchers for free roast chickens, which some customers take advantage of.
• Other shoppers resort to less ethical tactics, with a significant percentage of Australians justifying retail theft under financial pressures.
• Finder's personal finance expert Sarah Megginson cautioned against certain practices like pretending to be disabled for discounts, which count as fraud.

What do you think of some of these 'money-saving tips'? Share your experiences or budgeting tips in the comments section below.

 

[BeautifulMousey]

Just be honest.

With honesty you can live with yourself without the risk of getting caught doing the wrong thing.

 

[havingadoggyday]

Shoplifting is so easy! I witnessed an acquaintance casually stroll out of a Melbourne JB Hi Fi with a 65 inch Samsung television still in the box! He even said thank you to the security dumbo at the door!

That's amazing,but then again I know someone who works at a well known active wear and equipment shop.The law is they can't stop you or check under clothing or shirt pockets inside bags etc.Its illegal.And the staff know it.
Most thrives tell the employees to "piss off"if asked on way out for a check,even if it's obvious they are hiding something.They take of like lightning ,and they can't do jack s...t
about it.Yet we sdc are worried about our images on self serve check outs
Do we have any rights??I am confused.How can this be?ok for some but not for others??

 

[Veggiepatch]

That's amazing,but then again I know someone who works at a well known active wear and equipment shop.The law is they can't stop you or check under clothing or shirt pockets inside bags etc.Its illegal.And the staff know it.
Most thrives tell the employees to "piss off"if asked on way out for a check,even if it's obvious they are hiding something.They take of like lightning ,and they can't do jack s...t
about it.Yet we sdc are worried about our images on self serve check outs
Do we have any rights??I am confused.How can this be?ok for some but not for others??

The rights of the retailer are the wrongs of the individual. I have tested the laws of the rights and responsibilities of security persons to the hilt. Security staff have NO more powers than you or me in a retail setting or anywhere else.