Consumer research commissioned by CommBank has revealed 88 per cent of Australians have adopted new “money rules” over the past year, as they find more flexible ways to manage spending without giving up routines, relationships and experiences that matter the most. Most Australians don’t see their daily coffee (73%), beauty or grooming services (71%), or streaming subscriptions (68%) as luxuries. The findings suggest that Australians are finding creative ways to maintain their lifestyle while managing cost-of-living pressures. Eating out saw the biggest reduction, with 72 per cent of respondents saying they had pulled back, followed by takeaways at 61 per cent, shopping and retail purchases at 57 per cent, and domestic travel and holidays at 39 per cent.
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A drop in savings, heavier use of credit for essentials and delays to major purchases can all affect repayment patterns and demand across a range of sectors. Despite these pressures, Australians are prioritising social connections and experiences, finding ways to stay connected without breaking the bank. The research highlights a pragmatic approach to financial management, with households making deliberate choices about where to cut back and where to maintain spending. The trend reflects a broader shift towards intentional living and values-driven consumption, as people evaluate what truly adds value to their lives.
The findings come as cost-of-living pressures continue to bite, with 72 per cent of respondents saying their household savings had fallen. However, by many traditional measures, Australia has done surprisingly well — the country avoided recession, unemployment stayed low and the housing market largely held up. Australia’s unemployment rate was 4.4 per cent in May, below the OECD average of 4.9 per cent, while labour force participation remains high by international standards. The combination of economic resilience and household financial strain presents a complex picture, with many families feeling worse off despite the macro-level stability.
