6 quick money tasks that could pay off

When it comes to your finances, it's tempting to put things off because they feel too hard or you don't have enough time. But there are a few simple things that you can do that could make a real difference. Even better, they shouldn't take too long. In fact, you could knock them all over in a weekend. 

Here's a look at six simple tasks that could give you quick money wins. 

1. Go through your app subscriptions and free trials

Most of us look at our bank or credit card statements to see what recurring payments are coming out, but it's not always clear what the charge relates to if it's a payment to Apple or Google. The best way to get a clearer picture of what you're actually signed up to is to look at the subscriptions section in your Apple or Google account. 

You might spot something you no longer use, a duplicate subscription or a free trial that is about to turn into a paid plan. Think of it as a useful second check that could uncover an easy saving.

2. Put one household bill to the test

Pick one regular bill such as electricity, internet, mobile or insurance, and see whether you could get a better deal. 

Start by looking at what you're paying now and what you're getting for that price. Then check your existing provider's latest offers and compare a few alternatives. If you find something cheaper, reach out to your provider and ask whether they can match it. If not, you may consider making the switch to the cheaper option. 

Focusing on just one bill makes the task feel less overwhelming, and even a small monthly saving can add up over the year. But if you feel especially motivated, you could up that number to two or three. 

3. Give your savings account a check-up 

If you have money stashed away in a savings account, then it pays to make sure you're still getting a good rate. At the time of writing, some savings accounts are paying 5% or more. If your rate doesn't start with a five, there's a good chance you could do better. 

Another thing to look at is any bonus conditions. Bonus savings rates can look great, but the conditions can be surprisingly easy to miss. Canstar found that 41% of Australians surveyed with a bonus saver account didn't meet the conditions every month. 

Conditions could include depositing a minimum amount, growing your balance or making a set number of card purchases. Miss one condition and you may receive a much lower base rate instead.

If you have a bonus saver account, it's worth making sure you've been meeting the conditions and earning the bonus interest. If you haven't, think about whether automatic transfers or reminders could help. Otherwise, consider moving your money to an account that pays a good rate without as many hoops. 

4. Look for money you may have forgotten

One place you may find forgotten money is in unused gift cards. And you wouldn't be alone. Finder research found one in three Australians had at least one unused gift card. 

Your wallet is an obvious place to look, but check any drawers where you might have popped a physical gift card for safekeeping.

It's also worth searching your inbox for terms such as "gift card", "voucher" or "eGift" and looking at retailer apps too. While you're there, look for airline credits, loyalty rewards and store vouchers you may have forgotten about. 

If you find any, make a note of the expiry date so you remember to use them in time. Most gift cards bought in recent years must be valid for at least three years.

5. Make sure your super is being paid 

Your payslip may show how much super your employer is meant to pay, but it's worth making sure the money has actually made it into your super account. The ATO estimates around $6.25 billion in super went unpaid in 2022-23, equal to 6% of the amount employers should have paid.

Since 1 July 2026, your employer's contributions generally need to reach your super fund within seven business days of payday. Log in to your super account and compare recent payments with your payslips.

If it looks like something is missing or incorrect, reach out to your payroll department and let them know. If they don't resolve the issue, you can report it to the ATO.

6. Turn three unused items into cash 

There's probably money hiding in a cupboard, garage or spare room. Look around for three things you no longer use but someone else might want, such as furniture, electronics, clothes or sporting gear. Give them a quick clean, take a few decent photos and list them on a local marketplace or resale site. Make sure you're realistic about the price. Also watch out for payment or delivery scams.

Keep the money wins going

If these tasks have put you on a roll, there are plenty of other small jobs you could add to your list:

• Order a free credit report and look for mistakes, accounts you don't recognise or signs of possible identity theft.
• Review your life insurance inside and outside super, particularly if you have more than one super fund. You may be paying for overlapping cover or find that you don't have as much cover as you thought.
• Follow up any refunds you are still waiting for from returned purchases, cancelled bookings or disputed charges.
• Create a simple financial document folder with insurance policies, loan details, tax records and estate-planning documents.
• Check the beneficiary nomination on your super account and make sure it is still up to date.
• Look for lost money using Moneymart's unclaimed money search tool.
• Unsubscribe from email lists that tempt you to buy things you hadn't planned on.