fbpx

Budget Nation 2023: Half of Aussies are Keeping on Top of Finances by Budgeting

Savvy surveys budgeting and finance approaches of Australians for 2023.
  Written by 
Adrian Edlington
Adrian Edlington is PR & Communications Manager at Savvy. With a keen interest in personal finance, car loans, the mortgage industry, cost of living pressures, electric vehicles and renewable technology, Adrian's research includes conducting primary data surveys and analysis of up-to-the-minute secondary Australian data sources. His work on behalf of Savvy has been featured on ABC.net.au The Conversation, the Sydney Morning Herald, AFR, News.com.au, The Age, Herald Sun, Adelaide Now, SBS On The Money, 7News, Car Expert, Which Car, Drive.com.au, Auto Talk, CleanTechnica, The Latch, Newcastle Herald, The Examiner, Illawarra Mercury, Professional Planner, New Idea, Canberra Times, Bendigo Advertiser, The Courier, Evee.com.au, MSN, The Australian, Stockhead, Yahoo Lifestyle, Smart Company, Yahoo Finance, Money Management, Proactive Investors, Glam Adelaide, Your Life Choices, Investor Daily, Real Estate Business, Homely.com.au, Money Mag, Yahoo News, Elite Agent, The West, Crikey.com.au, Yahoo Sports, AIB.edu.au, Domain.com.au, Nine.com.au, Mortgage Business, The New Daily, MPAMag, and NestEgg.com.au. In his spare time, Adrian enjoys mountain biking and business podcasts.
Our authors

Published on January 12th, 2023

Last updated on March 15th, 2024



Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.
Budgeting in 2023

At Savvy, our mission is to empower you to make informed financial choices. While we maintain stringent editorial standards, this article may include mentions of products offered by our partners. Here’s how we generate income.

In this article

As part of Savvy’s ongoing research into the personal finance habits of Australians, we survey Australian adults about their plans to pay off large Christmas expenses and how they’ll keep on top of finances in 2023.

  • 64% of Australians will use existing savings to pay off Christmas expenses; only 14% will use the credit card
  • 53% of Australians say they’ll create a budget to keep on top of finances in 2023 – comprising 62% of women
  • 24% of Australians intend to save more money than last year
  • 20% of Australian women will set up an automated savings plan during 2023

A representative survey of 1,000 Australians about how they’ll avoid financial stress in 2023 has shown that a little over a half of those polled (53%) say they’ll create a budget to keep their finances in order.

62% of women said they would create a budget; while the 25-34 and 35-44-year-old demographics said they would be the most likely to create a budget (65% and 62% respectively.)

12% of Australians (9% of men and 14% of women) said they’d use a budgeting app; 7% said they would consult a financial planner or adviser.

16% of Australians – 12% of men and 20% of women – said they would set up an automated savings plan, such as direct debit to a savings account or managed fund.

Interestingly, a shade under a quarter (24%) of Australians said they’d simply “earn more money than last year.” For the most optimistic demographic, 18-24s (36%) this may prove a winning strategy as the older part of the cohort enter more senior positions.

12% would pay more into a mortgage offset account; 16% would make investments (12% into shares, 4% into cryptocurrency.)

2023 bugeting plans of Australians infographic

Overcoming Christmas Financial Hangover

Many people in Australia spent up big over Christmas, with the Australian Retailers’ Association showing pre-Christmas sales in excess of $74.5 billion, up 8.6% over last year.

As for how Australians are planning to pay off their Christmas expenses, the overwhelming majority (64%) said they would be using their savings.

25% said they would use income from their paycheque, while only 14% said they’d rely on the credit card.

How are you mainly planning to pay off your Christmas expenses and avoid financial stress in the new year?

No Data Found

(Respondents choose top 3) 

By age group

Preference by Age-group18 - 24 years25 - 34 years35 - 44 years45 - 54 years55 - 64 years65+
Use existing savings68%70%66%56%60%64%
Income from paycheque38%32%33%26%17%9%
Use credit card12%13%13%16%16%13%
Borrow money from friends / family4%1%-3%2%-
Take out a loan / consolidate debts-2%2%-1%-
Not relevant to me11%12%9%14%18%22%
Other2%1%3%5%3%2%

(Respondents choose top 3) 

Savvy Spokesperson, Adrian Edlington;

Adrian says that inflation and higher interest rates have given people a “crash course” on managing their personal finances better.

“Over the last couple of years, Australians have had to really pay attention to every dollar that comes in and out of the household, and people are making more responsible choices with their finances as a result,” he says.

“In our last survey, 76% Australians said they’d only use their savings to fund their Boxing Day purchases if they were buying post-Christmas and 48% said they wouldn’t be making any purchases at all.

“7% said they would consolidate debts, which is pleasing to see – reducing debts and the interest paid on them will mean more money for savings and better overall financial health for households.

“This could all indicate Australians are beginning to spend only within their means, so they could be better prepared for whatever economic ups and downs may eventuate during 2023.”

Savvy, Festive Season 2022 survey, (n=1000)

Nationally representative survey of 1000 adult Australians, aged 18 and over. Conducted by Octopus Group, on behalf of Savvy.

Completion date: 2/12/2022

Age groups:18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65+

Gender breakdown: male n=503, female n=495, non-binary /prefer not to say n=2

Representative of state and territory populations:

NSW n=299 (32.3%), Vic n=253 (25.1%), Qld n=196 (20.2%), SA n=82 (7.2%), WA n=114 (10.6%) NT n=12 (0.7%), Tas n=25 (2.2%), ACT n=19 (1.7%)

Did you find this page helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
  Written by 
Adrian Edlington
Adrian Edlington is PR & Communications Manager at Savvy. With a keen interest in personal finance, car loans, the mortgage industry, cost of living pressures, electric vehicles and renewable technology, Adrian's research includes conducting primary data surveys and analysis of up-to-the-minute secondary Australian data sources. His work on behalf of Savvy has been featured on ABC.net.au The Conversation, the Sydney Morning Herald, AFR, News.com.au, The Age, Herald Sun, Adelaide Now, SBS On The Money, 7News, Car Expert, Which Car, Drive.com.au, Auto Talk, CleanTechnica, The Latch, Newcastle Herald, The Examiner, Illawarra Mercury, Professional Planner, New Idea, Canberra Times, Bendigo Advertiser, The Courier, Evee.com.au, MSN, The Australian, Stockhead, Yahoo Lifestyle, Smart Company, Yahoo Finance, Money Management, Proactive Investors, Glam Adelaide, Your Life Choices, Investor Daily, Real Estate Business, Homely.com.au, Money Mag, Yahoo News, Elite Agent, The West, Crikey.com.au, Yahoo Sports, AIB.edu.au, Domain.com.au, Nine.com.au, Mortgage Business, The New Daily, MPAMag, and NestEgg.com.au. In his spare time, Adrian enjoys mountain biking and business podcasts.
Our authors

Published on January 12th, 2023

Last updated on March 15th, 2024



Fact checked

At Savvy, we are committed to providing accurate information. Our content undergoes a rigorous process of fact-checking before it is published. Learn more about our editorial policy.

This guide provides general information and does not consider your individual needs, finances or objectives. We do not make any recommendation or suggestion about which product is best for you based on your specific situation and we do not compare all companies in the market, or all products offered by all companies. It’s always important to consider whether professional financial, legal or taxation advice is appropriate for you before choosing or purchasing a financial product.

The content on our website is produced by experts in the field of finance and reviewed as part of our editorial guidelines. We endeavour to keep all information across our site updated with accurate information.

In this article

Share this article

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on linkedin
Share on email
Share on pinterest

Smart money saving tips

Subscribe to our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy

About Savvy

Savvy is one of Australia’s largest online financial brokers, focusing on personal and commercial financial products. Founded in 2010, the firm has seen rapid growth, a testament to their provision of market leading rates and reaching customers with the latest in media and technology. Savvy is a proud supporter of Kids Under Cover, a charity assisting homeless and at-risk youth to strengthen their bonds to community and education. Savvy was named one of BRW’s fastest growing companies in 2015.

Latest media releases

Want to receive offers, deals and finance tips from Savvy?
Sign up below
Budgeting in 2023

We'd love to chat, how can we help?

By clicking "Submit", you agree to be contacted by a Savvy Agency Owner and to receive communications from Savvy which you can unsubscribe from at any time. Read our Privacy Policy.