With winter on the way, this is the perfect moment to review the big-ticket stuff like power, broadband, loans, mortgages, subscriptions, and everyday spending.
Easter is a good time to slow down for a minute, reset, and get on top of the bills that quietly chew through your budget. With winter on the way, this is the perfect moment to review the big-ticket stuff like power, broadband, loans, mortgages, subscriptions, and everyday spending.
1. Compare the big bills first
If you only do one money-saving job this Easter, make it this one. Compare your bills.
Power, broadband, mobile, loans, and mortgages can all drift higher over time, especially once promo periods end or a rate rolls over. Our research at NZ Compare has shown that power prices rose 12% in 2025 and are tipped to rise another 5% in 2026. Here at NZ Compare we find that 9 out of 10 people using Power Compare could save money by comparing plans.
2. Get your home ready for winter power bills
Winter power bills can be brutal, so the cheapest savings are often the boring ones. EECA says hot water makes up around a third of household energy bills, and simple changes can add up: washing clothes in cold water can save about $50 a year, a more efficient shower head can save around $80 a year, heating only the rooms you’re using can save up to $350, and appliances left on standby can add up to $200 a year. If your home is hard to heat, it is also worth checking whether you qualify for Warmer Kiwi Homes grants, which can cover 50% to 90% of insulation costs and up to 90% off an efficient heater for eligible households.
3. Check whether you are overpaying for broadband
A lot of households are paying for more speed than they actually need. Broadband Compare notes that entry-level fibre plans now start from around $60 a month, and for many households doing the usual mix of streaming, working from home, gaming, and video calls, a standard fibre plan is enough. It is also worth checking for quiet extras on your bill like router rental fees, which can add up to as much as $180 a year, and making sure an old promo deal has not expired. If you are bundled, do not assume it is the cheapest option either.Â
Our research has shown that some fixed-term bundles can leave people paying more overall, especially after the welcome offer has expired, this is when splitting services between providers can save money.
4. Cancel the subscriptions you are not really using
This one hurts a bit because most of us already know the answer. If you have got streaming services, apps, memberships, meal kits, or software charging your card every month, now is a good time to go through them properly. The Commerce Commission says subscription traps are becoming more common, with growing complaints about ongoing service contracts and difficulty cancelling. That alone is a good reason to trim the list and keep only the ones you actually use. One or two forgotten subscriptions can easily turn into a decent annual saving.
After all — can you really watch Disney Plus, Netflix, Neon and Apple TV all at the same time? Alternate month to month.
5. Review your loans and mortgage
If you have a personal loan, car loan, or credit card debt, Easter is a smart time to check whether you could lower the interest rate or simplify repayments. Sorted says debt consolidation can reduce interest costs and make budgeting easier, but it only works if the new deal is genuinely cheaper once fees are included, and if you do not stretch the debt out so long that it costs more in the end. The same goes for mortgages: if you are thinking about refinancing, Sorted recommends getting your break fee in writing and comparing that cost against the savings from a lower rate. Even if you stay with the same lender, reviewing your setup can help you find a better deal or pay the loan down faster.
6. Be more ruthless with deals
A good deal only saves you money if it is something you were going to buy anyway. Before the winter spend starts piling up, make a short list of what you actually need over the next few months, whether that is a heater, a router, a laptop, or just the basics for the house. Then compare prices properly, check unit pricing where it makes sense, and avoid buying just because something looks discounted. Some sound money-saving advice is to compare unit prices, eggs are one of the best examples of this — what does it cost per egg? Do not get sucked in by supermarket specials, and plan things like meals out to cut waste before it hits your wallet.
A few small changes now can make winter a lot less expensive. Start with the bills you pay every month, cut the subscriptions you forgot about, and make sure your power and broadband are still the right fit for your household. That is where the biggest savings usually are.Â
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