How to get savvy with present buying and still feel the joy of gift-giving
Do you love the feeling you get when you buy a present for your friends, family members or even furr-kids? Well it turns out you’re not alone, in fact as a nation us Aussies are pretty generous folk, spending a whopping $19.8 billion on gifts every year.
A recent study by the Financial Planning Association of Australia shows that 85% of us love giving more than receiving, but despite our nation’s generous heart, we’re not particularly savvy when it comes to budgeting for these thoughtful presents.
In fact three out of four Aussies don’t budget for gifts at all, meaning that billions of hard earned household dollars are being spent every year without any planning. As FPA CEO, Dante De Gori said, there’s “an obvious opportunity to increase our nation's financial literacy and awareness of the benefits of budgeting, financial planning, and giving in a way that brings joy without debt or regret”.
RELATED ARTICLE: How do I redeem credit card rewards points?
So how can you get more savvy when it comes to gift giving?
Put more planning into your gift giving: give yourself a set budget for birthdays, weddings, Christmas and even spontaneous present buying.
One way to buy presents and keep to a budget is to think about giving in a more sustainable and conscientious way. Why not give an experience rather than a thing? Or you could get involved in the circular economy and re-gift an item that you no longer have any use for or reuse wrapping paper and gift bags. Not only will your bank account benefit, but so will the planet.
Set up a savings account purely for gift giving: you could even set up a separate account to keep track of what you’re spending on presents.
Setting up a savings account dedicated to all those spontaneous presents could help you think about how much you’re spending on gifts every year, every month or even every week. If you put a certain amount into your savings account once a month then you can keep track of how much you’re spending and better budget for all those special occasions throughout the year.
Invest in a rewards credit card: with a rewards credit card you can treat your loved ones without putting a dent in your finances, honestly it’s a win win.
Research shows that cash and gift cards are becoming Australia’s go-to gift for all occasions, including birthdays, Christmas and weddings.
With a rewards credit card you can earn points with your daily expenses, from purchasing groceries to booking flights for your next holiday. Once you have accrued enough points you can convert them into a gift card for you to gift to your friends and family.
As most rewards cards come with an annual fee be sure to weigh up the cost with the yearly rewards, to figure out what card would benefit you the most.
If you’re keen to start getting more savvy with your present buying why not head over to our rewards credit cards comparison page to see what what card would best suit your spending style and help you bag some sweet gift cards.
Compare rewards credit cards - last updated 18 April 2024
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Apply By 28 May 2024
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
60,000
1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncappedReceive 60,000 Bonus Qantas Rewards Points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available for New American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 60,000 Bonus Qantas Rewards Points when you apply online by 28 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available for New American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Amex, up to 100000 points per year, then
1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 60,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1.25 points per dollar on everyday purchases. Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.Exclusions apply. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Points per $1 spent.* For Card Members who applied for the Card between 1 July 2023 – 9 January 2024, this change will come into effect from 10 July 2024.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
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G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$299
50,000
1 point up to 20,000 points/month
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
CompareComparePlatinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $299
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point up to 20,000 points/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 50
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Visa, up to 20000 points per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 50,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge
- Rewards Bonus Points
- 1 bonus points on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
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NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$250 $150 in the first year
70,000
0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
CompareCompareQantas Rewards Premium Card
70,000 Bonus Qantas Points. Offer applies to a new NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card when you spend $2,000 on everyday purchases within 60 days.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $250 $150 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 0.66 points per dollar on Visa, up to $3,000 per month, then
0.33 points per dollar on Visa, up to $6,000 per month
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 70,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
Travel Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Bonus points on selected Qantas products and services, including eligible Qantas flights.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Qantas Rewards Premium Card
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American Express Qantas Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$249
20,000
1 point uncapped
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
CompareCompareQantas Premium Card
Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Premium Card within 3 months of Card Membership. T&C’s apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Annual fee
- $249
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1 point uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $30.00
- Points earning
- 1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- Never
- Bonus points
- 20,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 8000.0
- Sydney to London
- 110400.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20010.0
- Card Benefits
- Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Rewards Bonus Points
- Earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies, earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spend on selected Qantas products and services.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Premium Card
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NAB Rewards Signature Card
NAB Rewards
$295 $145 in the first year
160,000
1.25 points uncapped
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
CompareCompareRewards Signature Card
Earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on everyday purchases within the first 60 days of account opening and 40,000 bonus points when you keep your card for over 12 months (T&Cs apply). Enjoy a reduced annual card fee (from $295 to $195) for the first year. Up to 44 Interest free days on purchases (T&Cs apply). $15,000 minimum credit limit. 0% p.a. on standard balance transfer (BT) rate for 12 months (3% BT fee applies).
- Rewards program
- NAB Rewards
- Annual fee
- $295 $145 in the first year
- Bonus points
- 160,000
- Earn rate per $1
- 1.25 points uncapped
- Intro rate
- -
- Ongoing Purchase rate
- 20.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 12 months and then 21.74% p.a. (3.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Foreign exchange
- 3.00%
- Late payment
- $15.00
- Points earning
- 1.25 points per dollar on Visa, uncapped
- Reward point expiry
- 36 months
- Bonus points
- 160,000
- Sydney to Melbourne
- 15600.0
- Sydney to London
- 239200.0
- $100 Gift card
- 20410.0
- Card Benefits
- Concierge,
Extended Warranty,
Purchase Protection,
International Travel Insurance,
Interstate Flight Inconvenience Insurance,
Rental Vehicle Excess in Australia Insurance
- Rewards Bonus Points
- -
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Rewards Signature Card
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