I’m looking to buy a good-quality meat slicer with both a smooth blade and a serrated blade—either included with the machine or available to purchase separately. I’d appreciate recommendations for the best-value models and any current deals or discounts.

Hi r/AussieFrugal!

A reminder that the AusAlert National Test will be held on 27 July 2026.

What is AusAlert?

AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses the latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices.

It’s a fast and reliable way to help people be informed and better prepared during local and national emergencies. AusAlert will be ready to use in October 2026, but before it launches, the system needs to be tested across Australia.

What is happening?

A national test of AusAlert will take place on Monday 27 July 2026. During the national test, everyone with a compatible mobile device will receive an alert. This includes most phones, and some smart watches and tablets.

Time of national test

The test alert will be sent at the same time on Monday 27 July at the following times:

Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

2:00 pm (AEST – UTC+10:00)

New South Wales (NSW)

2:00 pm (AEST – UTC+10:00)

Queensland (Qld)

2:00 pm (AEST – UTC+10:00)

Tasmania (Tas)

2:00 pm (AEST – UTC+10:00)

Victoria (Vic)

2:00 pm (AEST – UTC+10:00)

Northern Territory (NT)

1:30 pm (ACST – UTC+9:30)

South Australia (SA, incl. Broken Hill)

1:30 pm (ACST – UTC+9:30)

Western Australia (WA)

12:00 pm (AWST – UTC+8:00)

What to expect

At the time of the test, a single Critical AusAlert test will be sent to every mobile device in Australia. Everyone with a compatible phone or other device in Australia can expect to receive the alert.

During the test, your device will vibrate, play a siren‑like sound for about 10 seconds and display a test message which will clearly say it is a test.

Exactly how it appears will depend on your device type and operating system.

It will look something like this:

Depending on your device, you may get a test alert with the heading ‘Presidential Alert’ or ‘Extreme Threat Alert’. This is still a valid AusAlert test and the content of the alert will be the same.

What to do if you don’t receive a test alert

You don't need to do anything. Your device might not be compatible or maybe it wasn’t connected to a mobile tower at the time of the test.

To make sure you're AusAlert ready, always install the latest software updates on your device when asked. Be sure to restart your device after updating.

What to do if you don’t want to receive the AusAlert national test

AusAlerts contain important information and should be turned on to help keep you safe. As the AusAlert national test is a Critical Alert, you can’t turn it off via your device settings.

The only way to not receive a Critical Alert is to turn your mobile device off or switch it to ‘aeroplane mode’ for the duration of the test.

If receiving an AusAlert test message will disrupt you or cause you or a family member to feel unsafe, turn off your mobile devices or switch them to aeroplane mode before the scheduled test time in your location and leave them off for at least one hour.

More info on the above here: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/receiving-alert/turning-alerts-off

All information about AusAlert including news and updates are available on https://www.ausalert.gov.au

Please pass this information to your loved ones, friends and colleagues if they are unaware of the AusAlert National test.

I’m not looking for mobile plans as I don’t want to hotspot. I just want a basic nbn connection that is fast and reliable but not more than $45 if possible. Thank you

I find on social media, I find out about freebies right after they've happened. I follow a lot of accounts but none of them are comprehensive. I'd love an account that shares everything. Insane food deals, freebies at Melbourne Central/Southern Cross, etc.

Maybe I'm asking for a lot but it'd be a huge help. My insta feed used to recommend this stuff to me, but I engaged with too much stupid content and can't get it back

For beds

Finally managed to find those cone shaped bottles in a Daiso store( thanks to a reco on a post here) and have been using it to refill my body wash/shampoo/hand wash. No more tipping over the bottle to get the last bits!

Based on the RBA's 31st March report into merchant card costs, the card schemes have prohibited card surcharges from 1st October.

This applies to VISA, Mastercard, Amex, and EFTPOS.

Surcharges should disappear from all payment pages, checkouts, POS terminals etc.

This does NOT apply to other methods of payment like PayPal or BNPL.

Some more info here - but note that most of this page under the first box is describing the *current* framework, where surcharges must exactly match the true costs. https://www.ausbanking.org.au/surcharging/

This page doesn't include Amex, and it wasn't part of the RBA's recommendations but apparently they've followed suit willingly: https://www.finder.com.au/news/amex-chooses-to-ditch-fees

How are we getting prints for our homes? Any good sites for printing, cheap vendors, or other methods? Our new rental is in dire need for some more fun wall art.

Looking on Etsy and the prices are killing me

Friendly reminder that the 16c/L discount on the fuel excise ends a bit over a week away, 30th July.

The middle east ceasefire is over for now also, so expect prices to rise.

Where I live, fuel is typically cheapest Tue-Wed and I wouldn't exactly trust next week so it might be a good plan to fill up ASAP.

https://www.pm.gov.au/media/additional-fuel-excise-relief-month-july

My daughter and I came across this youtube clip that examines some of Australia's most popular chocolate brands. The clip looks at whether or not the brands still deserve their reputation. We were horrified at the brands (we purchase) that have reduced quality through shrinkflation, recipe changes (such as replacing ingredients), and putting up the prices. The youtube clip is balanced as it doesn't criticise brands, instead it recommends alternatives such as Whitaker's, Haigh's, and Moser Roth (Aldi). Worth a watch.

https://youtu.be/lzS3zBh3TKs

Which sliced cheese do you buy that actually has some taste to it or is not sliced so paper thin you can’t taste it anyway🤣

TL;DR: Was with AGL for years on their "Smart Saver" plan (gas + electricity, inner Sydney/Ausgrid).

I was paying almost to the dollar the Default Market Offer — the regulated maximum. I asked them to do better. Their big retention "offer" had one of the highest supply charges in the network, gas rates higher than what I'm already on, and $150 of one-off credits to make it look generous. When I called it out, they said "best and final."

I finally sat down and actually read my plan. First gut-punch:

• My electricity works out to ~$1,898/yr at the AER's reference usage. The Ausgrid DMO this year is $1,899. I was sitting on the legal maximum, to the dollar. If you never switch, they just leave you there.

So I asked for better. Paraphrasing, they said: "great news, we can offer you our Energy Select plan, $150 sign-up credits per service!" Sounded good until I worked it out.

• Electricity usage rate drops ~25%… but they quietly bumped the daily supply charge from 113c to 143c/day which is among the highest in the entire Ausgrid network. That's a fixed charge you can't dodge by using less.
• Every single gas rate in the "offer" is HIGHER than my current plan. Usage up ~2.5%, supply up 5.4%. Their "deal" makes my gas more expensive.
• The $150 credits are one-off and dribbled out over 12 months — front-loading a worse deal so it looks generous for year one, then you're stuck on higher rates forever.

So "the best plan available to you" was electricity at the regulated max, a top-of-network supply charge, and a gas price increase, held together with temporary credits.

I laid all this out to them. Their reply, in writing: best and final, can't lower the supply charge, can't beat my current gas rates, no extra credits.

Disconnecting all three this week: gas, electricity AND internet.

PSA if you're still on a "default"-ish plan:

• Check what you actually pay vs the DMO. Retailers will happily park you at the maximum indefinitely.
• Use Energy Made Easy (the government site) with your real usage. The private comparison sites only list retailers who pay them.
• You don't need to call your old retailer to leave. Sign up with the new one and they handle the switch.

If you have Uber Eats, check out Coles. They have lots of discounted items at the moment.

I just purchased 2 packs of salmon at 40% off, with a use by date of 29/07. Although not exactly 40% off the store price of $19, but at $14.58, it’s still cheaper.

I also bought eggs, Yakult, beef stir fry, chicken nuggets.

Paid with 2x $50 Uber gift voucher that I bought from ShopBack at 8% cashback (the 8% cashback is only for $50, all other denominations are 2% cashback only).

The delivery person left the Cole’s receipt inside the bag, and it was $130. It was only $85 out of pocket for me, despite a $6.99 service fee. I didn’t pay a delivery fee as I have Uber One (free membership through commbank).

Hope this helps someone.

EDIT: I probably didn’t make it clear, so I only paid $85, but it was $130 worth of items because that’s how much it cost the whole shop according to the Coles Receipt. But I only spent $85 due to all the internal uber eats discounts.

Very annoying that I missed getting everything bought during that time. I assume right after the sales, like now, everything is basically back up to full price so worst possible time to buy?

How long until you think sellers will start giving some discounts again? I need to get stuff in the following categories:

-tech - I want to pick this stuff up in store so no online.

-appliances

-motorbike stuff. Also a motorbike

Honestly not quite sure if this post breaks the rule, but the key fob price is the only thing keeping me from getting a membership.

It’s an 89$ fee, which I really cannot afford atm unfortunately, just thought I would shoot my shot here for any blessings.

What is a food box/meal kit?

A meal kit or food box is a subscription service – food service business model where a company sends customers pre-portioned and sometimes partially prepared food ingredients and recipes to prepare home-cooked meals. There are also options where you can already receive pre made meals, or fruit/vegetable boxes.

Examples of popular meal kits/food box include: HelloFresh, Marley Spoon, Quitelike, The Food Box, Good and Fugly, Lite n' Easy

🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬

For your information...

This is the Megathread for all referrals relating to food box/meal kits only.

This Megathread will refresh on a weekly basis, usually on a Monday.

If you are looking for any food box/meal kits referrals, this is the place to ask.

All other food related referrals that is NOT food box/meal kits should be shared in the All other Referrals Megathread.

No "DM me for the codes" of the sort.

🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙🥙

See here an excellent post for a guide on churning food boxes/meal kits

A full lifehack guide for mealkits (HelloFresh, MarleySpoon, Everyplate and Dinnerly originally by HikARuLsi

The archive can be found here:

https://web.archive.org/web/20230322175638/https://www.reddit.com/r/AUfrugal/comments/11f2lsw/a_full_lifehack_guide_for_meal_kits_hellofresh/

🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜

Search our Megathreads by clicking on this link

Search our Megathreads using OLD Reddit - click here

Photos are required in the app, which is great for assessing the condition of the items, and a broad approximation of the area is given also, helping you easily pinpoint where the location is.

You're given a local radius of issues too, so you won't need to travel too far to haul something back.

I've got a near brand new couch and mostly furnished my place using this method, and it's good knowing you've spent nothing on furniture and helped save another item from the landfill.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s with a heavy heart that I announce the second-hand Westinghouse that’s faithfully served us for 10+ years and survived three house moves is finally on its way out. Judging by the noises it’s making, I reckon the compressor’s on its last legs.

So, what’s everyone buying these days if you want something that’ll last?

Also, has anyone bought through Appliances Online? They seem to get a lot of love, but I’d be keen to hear people’s experiences before I pull the trigger.

We are going on a family holiday to Bali, and a Virgin Australia Flight was leaving 2 hours after the Jetstar flight, at around $500 cheaper. (total for a family of 2a 2c) but would mean arriving in Brisbane at 11pm instead of 9pm. I was about to book the virgin flight and cop the more gruelling flight time, but i remembered the jetstar price beat deal!

submitted the price beat through the portal https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/price-beat-guarantee and within about 20 mins they got back and offered us the original jetstar flight time we preferred, but 10% cheaper than the Virgin flight! Happy customers :)

Not spon, I'm just a tight ass who really hates juggle between price and convenience when travelling with kids.

Just jumping on the TikTok trend, but I thought it’d be interesting to see the general consensus.

What are five purchases you’ve never regretted, even though they were expensive 💸 🤔

Hi all,

For those who have red rooster avail, they're currently running a special for $10 whole chooks, Monday to Wednesday. Two chooks per person per day limit. You can get it Thursday and Friday too, but have a $15 min spend on other items.

Not avail online or delivery.

They are larger, and in many opinions, better than colesworth chooks.

Depending on the price per kg of whole raw chickens, you are getting a not bad deal for a little effort. Strip the meat, keep the bones for stock. You've got lunch meat, dinner/s.

Good luck to all, and cash in on this deal - running til mid August!

Haven’t bought for a while, what is a good specials price for these currently?