Chic to be cheap

Jac found herself elbow deep in her son’s Lego box, and Maddy needed a minute (or ten) to recover from laughing. We also chat about the emotional rollercoaster of his first day at big school—cue the proud mum feels. We take a nostalgic detour with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans (where are our millennial girlies attt?!), snoop through Maddy’s chaotic Marketplace search history and our fellow chi...

In Episode 33 Mad takes Jac on her early journey of cutting microplastics from her household. She knows they’re bad, but she’s steering clear of diving too deep into the research—because let’s face it, ignorance can be bliss! Are you on the same journey, or do you have tips to share? Meanwhile, Jac, now in her final trimester with baby number three, reflects on her experiences with homemade baby w...

In this episode, we dive deep into the term tight arse—what does it actually mean, and how has society twisted it into a negative? We flip the script on frugality and reframe it as smart spending—a lifestyle of intentional choices in a world where spending is often tied to status and success. This conversation hits the heart of why we started this podcast, and we’d love to hear your thoughts—do yo...

This episode is a wild ride. Mad and Jac are recording their last IRL episode together before Mad heads back to Victoria, and they’re bringing all the chaos of parenting four crazy kids into the mix. Exhausted but full of laughs, Jac offers up some “brilliant” hacks she’s super proud of—only for Mad to hilariously shut them down as space-saving hacks, not money-saving ones. Cue uncontrollable laug...

Mad and Jac are back together IRL for the final episode of 2024, recording from the beautiful Sunshine Butterflies on the Sunshine Coast. In this special bonus episode, we unpack the year that was—sharing the highs, the lows, and the lessons learned. Jac dives into her thoughts after watching Buy Now on Netflix and transfers a heavy dose of consumer guilt over to all of us (thanks, Jac!). It's a w...

Fresh from a Christmas party (and a few champagnes), Maddy and Jac are bringing the festive vibes to this episode of Chic to be Cheap! Jac unveils a fun new name for the community (no more just “listeners” for us!), while Maddy seeks advice on tackling a sneaky extra fee at her new gym—should she ask for a refund or let it slide? Plus, Jac reviews the viral Matthew McConaughey salad recipe with it...

This week, Jac gives her much-anticipated review of Bluey’s World. Did it live up to the hype? Maddy also surprises Jac with their very first Spotify Wrapped for creators, and the listener stats reveal some unexpected and fun insights about who’s tuning in. Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without a tangent—we dive into dinosaurs, and you might actually learn something new (we did!). Plus, Jac...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas—and we’re diving into all the festive feels (and debates)! In this holiday-themed episode, we tackle the hot topic of teacher presents—Maddy's spicy opinion might just get her cancelled… or maybe she's saying what we're all secretly thinking? We also reminisce about the family Christmas traditions we grew up with and chat about creating meaningful ones w...

Jac is back from holidays, and it’s time to unpack everything! Why did our “quick” 2-week break stretch to 3? Maddy’s long-awaited Gucci sunglasses have arrived—but are they the real deal? We investigate. 🕶️ We’re also diving into the Black Friday madness: the best deals we scored (and the absolute worst). PLUS, there’s an exciting life update you don’t want to miss. It’s a longer episode, but we’...

Both Jac and Maddy found themselves fighting the urge to splurge this week, and it wasn’t easy! After a close-call disaster at home, Jac took it as a cue to execute a quick, budget-friendly home hack. Meanwhile, Maddy gets creative with dessert tips for when the pantry is bare but the cravings are real. Plus, Jac’s backyard chickens have hit a rough patch (aka a fox), meaning fewer eggs and a few...

Maddy and Jacqui are back with more budget-friendly tips, hilarious stories, and parenting fails! Both share their own raw chicken disasters. Jacqui also tells us about her family’s first-ever bike ride, which had a surprising outcome. On top of that, we’ve got a nifty new website recommendation to help you compare prices and save in time for Santa. And for those keen to save on entertainment, we’...

It's our lucky episode—Jacqui explains why! We dive into some hilarious parenting fails and try to figure out what kind of parents we really are (spoiler: definitely not the "gentle" kind). Jacqui also shares her best money-saving hack yet and debuts a brand-new segment, DOT-W. Stay tuned till the end, because we need your help with something important. Oh, and can someone explain why the word "ya...

Join us on this week's episode of Chic to be Cheap as Jacqui shares her favorite dinner hacks to save time and money. Maddy confesses to a costly slip-up—when she didn't follow her own advice—and reminds us of big retailers who price match or beat deals. We wrap up with our classic game, Skimp or Splurge, where we debate where it's worth saving and where it's worth splashing out. Tune in for pract...

We’re back recording together in real life for the second time, and the vibes are even better! In this episode, Jacqui spills a confession, only to be shocked when Maddy admits she’s done the exact same thing. We also chat about renting dresses for special occasions instead of buying, and how to avoid getting stung by those pesky baggage fees—especially when you’re flying during the madness of sch...

Jac is back, and she's got some stories to tell! We catch up on what she missed from last week's wedding episode, including a big update about the end of a 20-year relationship… with something surprising! Plus, we dive into a fun and fierce game of "Skimp or Splurge," where we decide which budget-friendly finds are worth saving on and when to treat yourself. You won’t want to miss this chat filled...

In this episode, we’re unpacking all things wedding budgets! Jac and Maddy dive into their own wedding experiences—breaking down what they spent, what they regret splurging on, and the things they’re happy they invested in. Jac makes it through the first 10 minutes before mum duties call (hello, sick toddler!), leaving Maddy to fly solo and wrap up the episode. Expect real talk about managing wedd...

In this episode of Chic to Be Cheap, we dive into all the best sales leading up to Christmas and why it's smart to start your shopping early—especially if you're hunting for secondhand gems! We share tips on how to give yourself time to research those thrift finds without the last-minute rush. Plus, we recommend an app that’ll help keep your spending in check during the holiday sales. And don’t mi...

In this episode of Chic to be Cheap, Maddy dives into the recent wild weather event that's wreaked havoc in her neighborhood, including the costly chaos caused by a fallen tree. She also shares a fun astrology chat, explores Jacqui's latest Marketplace sales adventures, and throws in plenty of random bits and pieces that you won't want to miss. Tune in for a mix of money-saving tips, relatable sto...

This episode takes an unexpected turn when our special guest, Kaitlyn Jensen, has a surprising bone to pick with Maddy. Kaitlyn, a travel agent with 10 years of experience and 34 countries under her belt, shares her expert advice on budget-friendly travel options. Beyond the usual spots like Bali and Fiji, she opens our eyes to new destinations both inside and outside Australia. Listeners will be...

This week, we’re talking about the stress of pulling together Book Week costumes and why it really should just be Book Day. We also share clever, budget-friendly Father’s Day gift ideas and Maddy reviews the latest Lululemon Align leggings dupes. Join us for tips, laughs, and a whole lot of real talk!

In this episode, we dive into the treasure trove of discounts hiding in plain sight within your existing memberships—think RACV/Q, insurance programs, and more. Why do these perks often feel too overwhelming to use?. Plus, we chat about Raygun’s shot at the Olympics, get crafty with empty toilet rolls, and play a fun round of "Skimp or Splurge." Don’t miss out!

In this bonus episode, we're making up for Thursday's missed show with a quick dive into the latest TikTok trend—Underconsumption Core. We weigh in and give our honest thoughts. Plus, Jacqui shares a hilariously embarrassing story about being overheard at the worst possible moment. Tune in for a fun, light-hearted catch-up before our regular episode drops on Thursday!

In this special episode we sit down with our mums and grandmas to uncover how they mastered living frugally without today's modern conveniences. From cleaning with lemons to a life without dishwashers, their stories reveal a time when 'new' wasn't necessary, social media didn't dictate desires, and self-care was an unfamiliar concept. Some seriously heartwarming, eye-opening conversations that rem...

In this laugh-out-loud episode, we dive into the nostalgia of our teenage years by sharing our most embarrassing email addresses – prepare to cringe and chuckle! We also recommend two essential "piles of dirt" (you'll have to listen to find out!) that every mum needs to take a break and recharge. And finally, we tackle the age-old question: is baking bread at home worth the effort? Join us for tip...

Join us for our first-ever in-person episode! We share practical fuel-saving tips, Jacqui's gives us some Winter veggie growing inspo and Maddy tells the story of how she saved her neighbours life. We take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and discuss the lost art of mending clothes. Plus, we unpack how changing your mindset is half the battle when it comes to saving money. Listen in, listen up!