Bargain Champs Lift The Lid On How Kiwis Save

MEDIA RELEASE

Bargain Champion Competition Lifts The Lid On How Kiwis Make The Most Of Their Money

---

Auckland, 26 August 2005. The Warehouse's Bargain Champion competition is demonstrating the many smart and simple ways that New Zealanders go about ensuring they have the best possible lifestyle without breaking the budget.

While the election campaign has thrown the spotlight on family budgeting, several thousand Warehouse shoppers have compiled their top three money and lifestyle tips in a bid to be crowned New Zealand's Bargain Champion and win a $50,000 12-month shopping spree at The Warehouse.

As the politicians fight it out over tax policies and family assistance programmes, Bargain Champion judge and budgeting expert Raewyn Fox says it's great to see that New Zealanders are brimming with easy and effective ideas for making their dollars go further.

Raewyn Fox, is Executive Officer of the New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services Inc. She believes, "... good budgeting and financial management skills are fundamental to making the most of your money and achieving the lifestyle you want."

"It's great to see the smart thinking and resourcefulness being shown by Warehouse customers. We're receiving a lot of tips on how to make easy savings around the home, and given that Statistics New Zealand figures show costs associated with 'household operation' make up 13 percent of the average household budget this is a great place to start."

Transport is also a popular theme. Many entries remind us that abandoning the car in favour of walking not only saves money but is good for fitness and health. While others recommend adopting habits such as keeping car windows closed to increase fuel economy and switching off car air conditioning during the colder months when it's not needed.

Raewyn says, "Statistics New Zealand figures show transport chews up 16 percent of the household budget so it's good that our budding Bargain Champions are recognising the savings to be made in this area."

Potential Bargain Champions are also showing they have a good sense of humour with contestants offering money saving and lifestyle advice such as 'avoid women'; 'stay single and live with mum - it's cheaper'; and 'keep your husband's credit card away from him'.

ENDS

© Scoop Media