8 Everyday Expenses you are probably overpaying for (and how to cut costs)

We all have routine expenses - groceries, dining out, subscriptions - but did you know you might be spending more than you need to? Small savings on everyday purchases can add up over time. With Paylab, you can access instant savings on essentials without changing or adjusting your lifestyle.

Here are 8 common expenses where you may be overpaying and how you can cut costs smartly:

Supermarket markups, impulse purchases and full-price food delivery fees can drain your budget before payday.

How to Save: 

• Use Paylab rewards to buy discounted eGift Cards for retailers like Harris Farm Markets, Hello Fresh, Uber Eats and Doordash
• Take advantage of supermarket loyalty programs and stock up on items during seasonal promotions
• Plan meals ahead and shop with a list to avoid unnecessary spending

Dining out is one of the biggest budget busters especially when paying full price.

How to save:

• Save 3% instantly at over 25,000 cafes, restaurants and bars with the Café Choice Gift card on Paylab
• Save 4% at premium restaurants like Ally Chow, Bistro Gitan, Catalina, China Diner, La Capannina, Machiavelli, Orzo, Palermo, Red Lantern, Taxi Kitchen, The Meat Wine & Co and more 
• Take advantage of meal deal apps and loyalty programs

Many personal care products are becoming relatively expensive these days.

How to save:

• Buy discounted eGifts from Paylab for retailers like Priceline Pharmacy, Adore Beauty, Aveda, Clinique, Endota Spa, Estee Lauder, La Mer, Shein and many more  
• Look out for sales and membership offers and club that along Paylab savings to save even more
• Buy in bulk where possible - items like shampoo, lotions, skincare, etc often come cheaper in larger sizes
  

4. Gifts & Shopping 

Why pay full price when you can save on every gift you buy? Whether it’s a last-minute present or a personal treat, retail markups can add up fast. 

How to save:

• Consider using cashback platforms like Paylab to get money back on purchases - Buy eGift cards on Paylab for retailers like Asos, Cotton on, Country Road, City Beach, David Jones, Domayne, Dusk, Forever New, Footlocker, Hype DC, Platypus,  Goldmark, Pandora, Prouds, Rebel Sport and many more and save while you spend on gifts and shopping
• Shop during seasonal sales and look for online coupon codes

Traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. Whether you're booking flights, hotels, or rideshares, last-minute bookings often come at a premium.

How to save:

• Use Paylab to save on all your travel & transport costs by purchasing eGifts from retailers like All by Accor Hotels, Webjet, Uber, Hotels.com and more
• Try to book flights in advance and compare multiple flight options

Phones, laptops, and accessories can cost a fortune - unless you know where to look for savings.

How to save:

• Use Paylab to save on Autobarn, Kogan, Joyce Mayne, Roblox, Supercheap Auto and other electronic retailers 
• Wait for major sales like Black Friday, Boxing Day or EOFY deals
• Buy refurbished devices or significant savings

7. Entertainment & Experiences

Having fun shouldn't come at a high cost - entertainment expenses can add up quickly if you are not saving where you can.

How to save:

• Use Paylab to save on Hoyts & Village Cinemas for your next movie night, Timezone, Kingpin Zone Bowling for fun activities, Ticketmaster for concerts and events 
• Save on your next adventure with eGift cards for Adrenaline, Luxury Escape and Red Balloon on Paylab
• Consider loyalty programs or memberships for extra perks and savings

High-interest credit cards can quickly become a financial burden if you can’t repay the full balance on time. Interest rates, late fees and revolving debt can lead to long-term financial stress.

How to save:

• Use Paylab Advance™ to cover smaller, instant, unexpected expenses without falling into long term debt
• Repay easily on your next salary cycle - helping you stay disciplined with your cash flow
• Bundle your Paylab Advance™ with an eGift card from our partner retailers to offset or even negate the 5% Advance fee - turning borrowing into a smarter financial decision

From groceries to entertainment, everyday expenses add up quickly - but with Paylab Rewards, you can cut costs effortlessly while spending on things you already need. By using discounted eGift Cards across food, dining, transport, shopping, travel, tech and entertainment, Paylab users can access real savings every single day.

But just how much can you save? Let’s break it down.

The table below shows a day in the life of a typical Paylab user, highlighting the average savings per week and per year when making everyday purchases through Paylab Rewards.

Important note: The savings percentage shown in the table reflect exclusive Paylab rewards available to individual Paylab users. Offers and fees vary for employer-integrated accounts. Check your Paylab app for details.

As you can see, small savings on everyday purchases add up fast. By simply using Paylab Rewards for groceries, dining, entertainment and essentials, you could be saving over $1,900 per year - without changing your spending habits.

Why spend more when you can save on almost everything you buy? With Paylab Rewards, you cut costs effortlessly and can even offset your Paylab Advance fee.

Start using Paylab today & watch your savings grow!