Older lady enjoying savings - looking at her phone and a credit card

Tips on how to stretch your dollar to go further in 2026

From fruit and vegetables to fuel and energy bills, and everything in between, the cost of living has increased in the past year.

Here’s a list of smart tips to help you manage your money and stretch your dollar further.

Sign up for a Seniors Card

A Seniors Card, an initiative supported by the Government of South Australia, is an easy way to access discounts.

Deals and discounts are available for public transport, home and car insurance, cinema tickets, holiday accommodation and much more.

To be eligible for a seniors card, you are required to be 60 years or older, a permanent South Australian resident, and working less than 20 hours per week in paid employment.

Check and claim all eligible SA concessions

If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a Seniors Card, you may be eligible for concessions on energy bills, council rates, medical costs, funeral assistance and more through the South Australian Concession finder.

Use the SA Government Concession Finder to see what you’re eligible for and apply for them.

Option to earn more

Option to Earn More While Receiving an Age or Veterans Pension (2026 Update)

The Australian Government has permanently enhanced the Work Bonus for Age Pension and eligible Veterans Pension recipients. The Work Bonus is part of the pension income test and allows older Australians to keep more of their pension when they earn income from work.

Under the current rules (effective from 1 January 2026):

The first $300 of employment income earned per fortnight is excluded from the income test.
Any unused portion of that $300 concession can be accumulated in a Work Bonus bank to offset future assessable employment income.
The maximum Work Bonus bank balance is $11,800.
People who first become eligible for the Work Bonus on or after 1 January 2024 receive a starting Work Bonus bank balance of $4,000 when they begin receiving a qualifying pension, providing them with immediate additional income-test concession.

Source: Services Australia, Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs

These changes are designed to encourage older Australians to participate in paid work (or increase their working hours) without reducing their pension entitlement as quickly as under the previous system.

Draw up a budget

It may seem basic, but a budget helps create financial stability for both the day-to-day and long term. Creating a budget helps you define your short and long-term goals, decreases your chances of spending money you don’t have, and sheds light on good and bad spending habits.

Smart supermarket hacks

Get better value by comparing unit prices on items at the supermarket. Unit prices break down the cost of a product into standard units of measurement such as per 100 grams for rice or per sheet for paper towel.

By looking beyond the headline price of an item, unit prices let you compare different brands or package sizes to make sure you’re buying the most economic option.

More retailers are now selling products that can be refilled, such as hand or body wash, which means you can save money and reduce the amount of environmental waste. Research has found that these products can deliver an average saving of 32% compared with buying another pre-filled dispenser.

Look into loyalty and reward programs for groceries and essential shopping to get discounts on points on purchases. See the pros and cons of supermarket loyalty programs.

Downsize your home

Downsizing to a smaller home, such as a retirement living unit, can mean less upkeep and maintenance costs and lower energy bills. It is an exercise in saving both money and time.

If you are thinking about downsizing to a more manageable lifestyle an ACH Group retirement living unit could be your next smart move.

A little help can be a big help

Stay independent, doing what you love, in your own home with personalised support from ACH Group.

Life’s journey brings subtle changes – a creaky knee, a hard-to-reach top shelf, or the thought of navigating driving. These everyday realities of ageing can sometimes go unnoticed, yet they can significantly impact your independence and wellbeing.

Whether you’re exploring options for yourself or a loved one, our friendly team is here to answer your questions and guide you through the possibilities.

Orange cake recipe by John

ACH Group retirement living resident Dr John Stubbs has always believed that good food is meant to be shared. His love of cooking began early, growing up in Elizabeth Grove after his family migrated to Australia in 1957. In a household where his mother and grandmother were both accomplished cooks, John learned by watching and helping, picking up traditional Jewish dishes along the way.

Later in life, travel became a big part of John’s career, and wherever he went, he sought out local cafés and restaurants. If a meal left an impression, he wasn’t shy about asking for the recipe. More often than not, people were happy to oblige once they realised he wasn’t a professional chef, just someone who genuinely loved food.

 A Greek Discovery

One of those memorable finds came in Greece, where John discovered Portokalopita, a traditional, orange-flavoured cake, in a small neighbourhood café. Simple to make and full of flavour, it quickly became a favourite in his recipe collection.

John said it was okay to get a little bit creative with the quantities of ingredients and go on “feel” but he urged people to ensure the baking temperature and time is followed to a tee. 

“It’s not complicated,” John said. “It’s the sort of cake anyone can make and everyone enjoys.”