7 ways to save this Father's Day

Let’s be real.

When it comes to buying presents for your dear old Dad on Father’s Day, some gifts and experiences are going to set you back a fair bit.

If you’re looking at the latest top-of-the-range power tool, a decent set of golf clubs or VIP tickets to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers tour, you’ll need to budget accordingly.

And it’s fair to say we’re a pretty generous mob here in Australia.

Last year we were set to spend a grand total of $950 million on Father’s Day gifts to show Dad how much we care¹. And outrageously, dads actually scored bigger than mums, with the average $109 spent on Dad comfortably outstripping the $82 we spent on poor old Mum on her big day².

But you don’t need to take out a second mortgage to show Dad how much he means to you on Father’s Day. There are plenty of ways to get a great gift or plan an amazing experience for Dad without breaking the bank.

Know your limit

Before you buy a gift for Dad, set your budget to avoid overspending. It could also help to set aside a little savings here and there in the lead-up to Father’s Day. An account like AMP Saver can help you set savings goals with a competitive rate and easy online access to your cash.

Pitch in as a family

Inflation may be trending downward after all the rate hikes over the past couple of years, but prices are still going up in some areas – clothing and footwear spiked 3.1% in the June 2024 quarter³. So if you’re thinking of getting Dad a smart set of threads or cool sneakers, it might help to pool your resources with family members. Rather than three smaller gifts that don’t quite hit the mark, he might appreciate one gift (or outing, or experience) that’s just what he wants!

Plan ahead

Don’t leave buying a gift until the last minute. Look out for sales in the lead up to Father’s Day and get in early so you’re not rushing and overspending on whatever’s left. And think ahead for 2025. If you pick up something in this year’s Black Friday or Boxing Day deals, just pop it in the cupboard for next year. 

Get on the DIY train

By making your own gift you’re not just saving money. You’re creating something special with a sentimental value that you can’t put a price on.

• You could put together a funky photo album with snaps of you and Dad through the years.      
• You could knock up a rough and ready bird table for Dad to feed the galahs.      
• You could knit a colourful beanie to keep Dad’s head warm while he’s spending quality time in his man cave.
  

Whip up some home-made goodies

They say food is the way to a man’s heart so you can’t go wrong with something tasty. Every dad loves some cookies, banana bread or a family dinner together at home.

Lighten Dad's load

Being a 21st century dad can be a tough gig. From baby nappies to teenage chauffeuring and all points in between, dads (and mums!) put the hours in. Dad could really value a day off the household chores – so why not run a few errands and let him put his feet up in front of the footy.

Plan a day out

Get outside people…it’s the start of spring so unless you’re in the Tassie boondocks there’s no excuse! Why not plan a day out in the great Australian outdoors – bushwalking or the beach – and enjoy a home-made picnic?

So whether Dad’s a relative spring chicken or getting on a bit, maybe the answer is going back to the core of what Father’s Day is all about – it’s a day to let Dad know how much you love him. And that doesn’t have to come with a big price tag attached.

_{1,2 Finder, Father’s Day spending statistics 2023}

_{3 AI Group: Factsheet: Inflation in Australia}