Hello, and welcome back to another episode of Sugar Mamma's Fireplate, the podcast where we ignite your financial independence, fuel your early retirement goals and dreams, and empower you to build long term sustainable wealth.

I am your host, Canna Campbell, and if you didn't know this, I'm actually a licensed financial planner with over twenty two years experience.

I'm also a busy working mum of three young kids, and I'm someone who is incredibly passionate about helping you create financial harmony, freedom and choice in your life, but in the most efficient way possible where you always uphold a sense of joy and balance in your life.

Now, today's episode is proudly supported by Amazon Australia because I have some very exciting news to share with you that will help create some breathing space in all of our budgets right now, and that is the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days has just kicked off, which is something I think most of us will really appreciate as Christmas is just around the corner and our budgets are already feeling the pinch, with so many of us, including myself, looking for ways to help stretch our money further without sacrificing the sense of generosity of the festive season.

So in today's episode, I'm going to walk you through how to make the most of the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days, which are by the way, already underway, so that you can capitalize on this week long event filled with incredible savings opportunities, but not by spending more, but actually spending smarter.

So I'm going to share with you what the latest data tells us about how Australians are shopping this Christmas, the practical money saving hacks that I personally use during all of those Amazon sale events which I love so much, and how you can redirect the money that you save as well as the time hopefully towards your exciting financial goals, whether that's paying down debt, topping up your super or building up your investment portfolio and long term growing passive income streams.

So let's get cracking, all right.

Let's start with what the research tells us about how we are spending, saving, and surviving right now, because I think you'll find this data and research absolutely fascinating.

So, according to this new research commissioned by Amazon Australia, the average Australian household is expected to spend around two two hundred dollars across the festive season three in four Australians, that's seventy five percent, So they're consciously trying to stick to a budget this Christmas, and more than half plan to shop earlier than ever before to help save money.

Now, honestly, that makes perfect sense and is such a great idea.

Between the cost of living pressures and all those interest rate rises that we've had and those everyday essentials like creeping up in price, Australians are becoming savvier and more proactive shoppers than ever before.

In fact, eighty two percent of us now say we'll only buy items when they're on sale, and seventy seven percent believe that they can get a better value, better deal online than in store.

And I'm definitely someone who's in agreement with that myself, as I rarely buy something that is full price these days, and I'd say pretty much all of my shopping now is done online, particularly when I think about all the time that I save not having to worry about parking and traffic and pushing around a shopping trolley.

So if you're already planning to spend around this amount of say two two hundred dollars.

Imagine if we could save say fifteen or even twenty percent of that amount through smart shopping, that's three hundred to four hundred dollars saved.

Money that could be redirected towards our mortgages, or help pay off any other personal debt that we might have, such as credit card debt or buy now, pay later, or even better, use those savings towards our next share, portfolio purchase, or topping up our emergency money.

That's what I want you to think about as you listen today's episode.

This is not about encouraging spending.

It's about using the tools that are available to us for free and can help us make our existing shopping and spending go so much further.

So, what exactly is this Amazon Prime Big Deal Days.

Well, this year's event runs for a full week from Tuesday, October seventh through to Monday, October thirteenth, and it is exclusively for Amazon Prime members now.

During this time, you'll find huge discounts across hundreds and thousands of products, from tech and home appliances to toys, fashion, pantry, staples, and those everyday essentials.

You'll also find deals from some of the biggest and most trusted brands think Dyson, Lego, Apple and Omo, as well as over fourteen thousand Australian small businesses that sell through Amazon, so when you shop, you're often supporting local two, which I love and I think is so valuable as a small business owner myself.

And this year there's an exciting new layer called Amazon Hall, which is an ultra low price destination within your Amazon app that is offering fifty percent off sitewide during this Amazon Prime Big Deal dates.

Plus there's free shipping on orders over fifteen dollars.

With the goal behind this about helping Australians like you and me make our holiday budgets go further, whether we're shopping for the Christmas presence that we know we're going to need, or the household needs, or perhaps even some supplies for our hobbies, which I'll come to in just a second.

Now, this same research also reveals something that's really stood out to me, and it's called passion paralysis.

Almost two thirds of Australians sixty eight percent, say it is difficult to afford starting a new hobby, and fifty six percent struggle to keep up with the cost of their existing ones.

Nearly half of us really want to start a new hobby but don't know where to begin.

And I think this ties beautifully into what I always talk about when finding meaningful joy in our spending, when we spend in the right way so that we are left feeling full and if you like, sufficiently satisfied.

So perhaps your hobby is gardening, or maybe it's painting or photography or fitness.

These are the things that really do enrich our lives.

When our budgets are tight, they're often the first expenses in our budget that have to go.

So this is where something like the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days can actually help us reconnect with those things that light up within us without actually having to break the bank or our budgets.

Buying those essential items on sale or using those saving tools to help track discounts means we can actually enjoy the things that make life feel meaningful while still staying financially responsible at all times.

For me, I absolutely love home Deaycore, I'm obsessed, but this is something that I've really had to just park to the side with all the other essential expenses that have had to focus on for my family.

So in this Amazon Prime big deal days, I'm looking to find a few key pieces for my home which are on sale and actually can safely fit within my budget.

They're having to make any sacrifices or risking damaging my budget.

Now, on that note of things to buy off Amazon US, talk about how to make the most of these deals the way that I like to do it, in the financially friendly way.

So I've got a few steps to share with you.

Step number one, start with a wish list before you even think about browsing.

Make a list what do you actually need, what have you been waiting for?

Keeping your eye out for what would help make your life easier, perhaps save you time or reduce further future spending.

In the Amazon app, I create multiple wish lists.

For example, I have a Christmas gift list, I have an everyday essentials, I have a home organization list, and of course I have my home daycore list.

I've got kids birthday gifts, and I've also got this growing list of self care beauty products, which you know I'll look at later if these items go on sale.

Now.

I love that these lists are very much like the watch lists that I have for my share portfolio, Because once your Amazon wish list is created in the app with your perfect purchases listed.

You can then turn on the deals alert for those particular items.

So instead of like aimlessly and endlessly scrolling through and getting completely distracted, you'll actually get notifications if and when something that you actually need or have your eye on or been hanging out for goes on sale.

Now, another great hack that I can't believe so many people don't know about this and that is the Amazon Lens camera.

Now, this feature allows you to snap a picture or upload a photo of an item that you like, and then the Amazon app will show you if it's available on the site or often at a better price, or it might even help you find you other items which are really similar, perhaps more appropriate or better for you.

Step number two is to use Alexa to help stay organized.

Now, if you have an Alexa enabled device, you can literally say Alexa, start my Prime big Deal Day's list, or Alexa, what are my deals.

It is hands free and a total time saver.

Alexa can even track your deliveries and keep you updated with Alexa Where's my Stuff giving you updates on the expected delivery times.

Step three shop those everyday essentials smartly, so One of my favorite things to stock up on is the staples, things like laundry, detergent, toilet paper, even dog food.

You know those like heavy bulky things which are really heavy to push around a supermarket.

Now, these are the items that you'll always need.

They're often non perishable, and buying them on sale or even smarter using subscribe and save means you're not just saving money, but you're also saving precious time, effort, and energy.

I personally use to subscribe and save for our dog food, for snacks, and for those household cleaning products.

But just remember check your frequency settings so that you don't ever end up being overstocked.

Step four check Today's Deals and Amazon Outlet.

Yes, Amazon has an outlet if you didn't know that.

Now, these two sections are within the Amazon app and they are absolute gold.

So Today's Deals are updated frequently, and the Amazon Outlet is where you'll find clearance or overstock items at the most amazing prices.

It's kind of like a digital treasure hunt, but with intent.

You'll love it once you discover it.

Step number five Stack your savings.

So if you really want to make and take your savings further, think about using cash back.

Platforms like you know, there's shot back, kickback, boost your super or grow my money.

And of course you can look at using awards earning credit card, but only if you're obviously disciplined and you always pay off your credit card in full each month.

But these two ways are how you can help stack your discounts and rewards to help make every purchase that you make work harder for you.

You can double up on those savings and put even more towards your financial goals before the year wraps up, which is something I'm really looking forward to right now.

And Step six plan ahead for Christmas.

The research found that fifty seven percent of Australians plan to shop earlier this year, and I couldn't agree more.

This is a brilliant idea and also financially responsible.

You know, I like to buy gifts early, especially when it comes to my kids, family and friends.

Not only do I save money, but it also means that I'm not panic buying in December and overspending because of stress, but I then have time to wrap everything up.

I'm less stressed when I'm most time poor because this often collides with school holidays, and for me, this is something I really value as a busy working mother.

And here's a thought, actually a really important thought.

If you save, say three hundred four hundred dollars by shopping early and wisely, please don't let that money just disappear into your other everyday spending.

Redirect it intentionally into your your financial freedom account, your mortgage off set account, your investment account, even your superannuation if that's appropriate for you.

That's how these sales can literally serve you correctly and help build your personal wealth.

This is where I want to help.

I guess, connect all the dots, you could say, turning all of these savings into financial freedom success.

Every single dollar you save this week can have a purpose.

It's not just money off It's about money being redirected towards your bigger financial goals.

So, for example, save three hundred dollars, you could put that towards your mortgage, saving valuable time and interest, or perhaps into your emergency savings account.

Save four hundred dollars.

That's actually enough to look at buying another parcel of shares.

If you're building up a share portfolio for long term financial freedom, save five hundred dollars.

If it's appropriate, Perhaps you contribute that to your superannuation and benefit from compounding growth for years to come.

The secret is to think of savings as seed money for your financial freedom.

But that seed has got to be intentionally planted by you today, Otherwise that seed is going to like dry up and disintegrate.

So yes, take advantage of these incredible deals, but promise me you'll also set aside those savings even you have to physically move that money into the different accounts or funds.

Make every deal and every discount work twice for you, once at the checkout and again in your future.

Now, as we wrap up today's episode, please remember this Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is not just about buying more.

It's about buying better, buying smarter.

If you plan ahead, you stay intentional, use these smart tools at your fingertips, like the wish List, you can walk away not only with greater deals, but with more control, more confidence, and more cash flow for the things that truely the matter to you.

Because ultimately, money is just a tool, and when we use money in a mindful way, it helps us live richer, more meaningful lives.

So thank you so much for everyone for tuning into this very special episode of Sugar Mamma's Fireplay, which is of course proudly sponsored by Amazon Australia.

Now, if you'd like to learn more, or actually even better, if you'd like to start your free thirty day Amazon Prime trial, head to Amazon dot com dot you forward slash Prime Big Deal Days.

And if you'd like to check out some of my best Amazon Prime picks and budgeting hacks in action, make sure you're following me on Instagram at Sugar Mama TV because you'd be amazed as to the bargains that I have found in these previously amazing sales.

I remember, shopping smart equals smart savings, which equals financial freedom.

Until next time, stay intentional, stay empowered, and keep that financial fire burning bright within.

This is Sugar Mama's Fie