<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A retired </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span> couple is proving to everyday Australians that it's possible to live well for less.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sandra Rielly and her husband Peter keep their expenses to less than $15,000 a year, which covers groceries, bills, petrol, council rates and insurance.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple focuses on keeping their costs low to free up more money for travel, dining out on special occasions and home renovations.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/intergenerational-living-spare-rooms-housing-crisis-solution/3f6302db-7dad-461f-8106-9b5e2dea91da" rel="" target="" title="A growing trend saw Max, 23, rent a room with a retiree 54 years his senior"><strong><span>A growing trend saw Max, 23, rent a room with a retiree 54 years his senior</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/cost-of-living-how-one-melbourne-couple-keep-their-grocery-bill-to-just-3750-a-week/4e750e2a-f066-4208-bc6a-f518622c8dd2" rel="" target="" title="How one couple keeps their grocery bill to just $37.50 a week"><strong><span>How one couple keeps their grocery bill to just $37.50 a week</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sandra helps run the popular Facebook group Simple Savers, an online community where more than 240,000 Australians share their money-saving tips.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>When Sandra shares the details of the couple's budget, she is often met with curiosity and disbelief.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/cost-of-living-how-queensland-couple-sandra-and-peter-rielly-keep-their-expenses-to-under-15-000-dollars-a-year/6952ee63-af6d-4f59-9cbf-63e79e78e8e0" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"A lot of people say they think you're eating the paint off the walls or something, and you're not," Sandra said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We all have to pay some things that are non-negotiable.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I just try my best to keep that stuff low and live the good life."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Over the course of a year, the couple spends $5126 on house expenses, $2656 on phone, internet and home entertainment costs, $3628 on maintenance for two cars, $84 on health costs and $3168 on groceries.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>How to spend less at the supermarkets</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A simple idea helped Sandra and Peter slash their grocery bill to $60 a week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Their grocery budget covers food, cleaning products, toilet paper and toiletries.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I've always been an ingredients-based pantry person," Sandra said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"One day I said 'I'm going to get $200, I'm going to do the shopping and I'm going to buy every no-name thing that I can find'."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sandra went to every grocery shop in her area and bought $200 worth of generic-branded pantry staples.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She admits her family had "some funny meals" that fortnight but those ingredients soon gave them options.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The next fortnight I wrote a list and went shopping to fill the gaps," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/hannah-bought-her-first-home-on-her-own-at-25-all-thanks-to-being-a-cheapskate/907d41fe-335a-4e14-83c0-824c4bd01efe" rel="" target="" title="Hannah bought her first home on her own at 25, all thanks to being a 'cheapskate'"><strong><span>Hannah bought her first home on her own at 25, all thanks to being a 'cheapskate'</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-save-money-on-groceries-cheapskates-club-cath-pantry-tips-meal-planning/c47f6860-7e1d-43d3-b4e0-0b5311240dfd" rel="" target="" title="Cath restocks her pantry once a year. She's already planned her meals for 2026"><strong><span>Cath restocks her pantry once a year. She's already planned her meals for 2026</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Now when Sandra and Peter go to the supermarket, they aim to live by one golden rule - every item in their trolley must be a generic-branded product or on special.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple still buys meat but prefers to limit their consumption to twice a week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They grow their own fruit and vegetables in their garden, cook in bulk and bake to keep their food costs low.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>To eliminate food waste, the couple organises their pantry items by the use-by date and rotates them regularly.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple also strives to eat a balanced diet in order to maintain their health.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Peter spent $84 at the chemist last year and the couple's medical appointments were all bulk-billed.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>Tree change grows savings</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sandra and Peter relocated from </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> to regional Australia more than 30 years ago to pursue a more affordable lifestyle.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple has since paid off their mortgage and their children have become independent adults.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They manage to keep their housing costs low due to the way their property is set up.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Their home is north-facing which means their solar panels get the sun all day.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Solar electricity and solar hot water has kept their electricity bill to $360 a year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-teenager-haven-xgreen-vending-side-hustle-idea-exclusive/66ad02fc-737a-45c4-8f92-0f61a8327a80" rel="" target="" title="Haven is only 15 but his unusual 'side hustle' has earned him thousands of dollars"><strong><span>Haven is only 15 but his unusual 'side hustle' has earned him thousands of dollars</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/supermarket-giant-coles-genuinely-cares-about-customers/b5460fff-b848-4e8b-88ad-961a1d941cc4"><strong><span>Supermarket giant 'genuinely cares' about customers, court hears</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple also buy energy-efficient appliances to keep their energy usage down.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They use a water tank on their property and live in an area that experiences high rainfall, which means their water bill costs them around $260 each year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple also has a home sewage treatment plant, which is serviced quarterly, allowing them to save on sewage usage charges.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The rates are cheaper because the only thing we've got is the garbage man that comes to our house," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple keeps their gardening costs to a minimum by using permaculture principles and avoiding sprays.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Their petrol costs include fuel for two cars, a lawnmower, a whipper snipper and a chainsaw.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple also pays for the internet and yearly plans for two mobile phones which is $350 each.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Home and contents insurance is the couple's largest expense, which works out to be $2964 a year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>A two-year plan</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple said they were semi-retired in their mid-30s when they moved away from Sydney.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sandra worked as a data processing operator, while her husband was a butcher by trade on Pitt Street in the city's CBD.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple moved to the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-south-wales" rel="" target="" title="NSW Central Coast"><span>NSW Central Coast</span></a><span> where Peter drove a backhoe during the day and worked as a cleaner at night.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He did this work for three years until the couple started a cleaning business.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Peter cleaned for 10 years and Sandra took care of the bookwork for the business.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple made a two-year plan in 1991 to pack up and move to </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/queensland" rel="" target="" title="Queensland"><span>Queensland</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Over the past 32 years, Peter has worked odd jobs so he could learn how to run the couple's property.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sandra worked at the Hyatt Regency Coolum for six-and-a-half years as a casual.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple also decided to sell doughnuts for a while.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The couple bought land in Queensland in 1993 and built their house in 1994.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><h3><strong><span>A community of savvy savers</span></strong></h3></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Simple Savers community shares money saving tips, support, hints and recipes.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Simple Savers administrator Fiona Lippey said the group started 16 years ago after a retired school principal told the Simple Savings forum she fed herself on $20 a week.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Everyone said 'what? Tell us how'," Lippey said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It was a combination of cooking from scratch and growing food."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The group now runs a challenge for members to feed themselves for $50 a week per person.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For Sandra and Peter, a budget is all about creating freedom.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Life is not about going without anything," Sandra said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's just about paying the right price for what we want to have."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>