With Christmas just 21 weeks away, now is the perfect time to give your finances a quick health check.
The festive season has a habit of arriving faster than expected. Between gifts, travel, family gatherings and end-of-year celebrations, expenses can quickly add up. The good news? Small changes now can help you feel more prepared when December rolls around.
Review Your Savings Goals
Christmas is a useful milestone to work towards. Whether you're planning a holiday, saving for gifts, building a buffer or working towards a bigger financial goal, now is a good time to check your progress.
Ask yourself:
- Am I on track?
- Has my goal changed?
- Could I save a little more each week?
Keeping your savings separate from everyday spending can make it easier to stay focused and track your progress.
A high interest savings account like our Max eSaver provides bonus interest when you make a deposit each month and no withdrawals.
Explore our bonus interest Max eSaver account
Cut Back on Unused Subscriptions
Streaming services, apps and memberships can quietly eat into your budget.
Take a few minutes to review your recent transactions and identify subscriptions you no longer use. Redirecting even a small amount each month into savings could leave you with extra funds when Christmas arrives.
Tip: If you’re unsure of a transaction, use the ‘Look Who’s Charging’ feature within the Defence Bank app. Learn more here
Make Saving Automatic
If you're serious about getting ahead before the festive season, automation is your friend.
Setting up a regular transfer into your savings account each payday means you're consistently putting money aside without having to think about it.
You can also use Round Ups in the Defence Bank app to help grow your savings. Eligible purchases are rounded up to the nearest $1, $5 or $10, with the difference transferred into your nominated savings account. It's a simple way to turn everyday spending into extra savings for Christmas and beyond.
Build Your Emergency Fund
While Christmas can be expensive, unexpected expenses don't stop during the festive season.
Whether it's a car repair, urgent travel or an unexpected bill, having an emergency fund can help you manage life's surprises without putting extra pressure on your budget.
Tip: If flexibility is important to you, our iSaver account offers a bonus six-month intro rate, no monthly fees and no withdrawal fees. It’s a great account to get your savings started. Learn more here.
Ready to start building your Christmas savings? Explore Defence Bank savings accounts and digital banking tools designed to help you save smarter and stay on track.
This article contains general information only and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether any financial product is right for you before making a financial decision.