This is usually one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, petrol stations in the area. Go on Tuesday or early Wedneday morning to maximise your savings.

I have been getting my tax done by these guys for years. They can be a bit pricey, but I get this back tenfold in my tax return every year without fail. Appointments book out fast, so make sure you are on the phone at 9am on June 1, to get the closest appointment.

Approximate cost: $100

The staff here are very friendly and caring, and the director is quite involved with the kids as well. The food is good and nutritional and there is daily feedback about what the kids are doing. There are new staff there that are implementing new programs, and my son is responding to the new staff and their programs well. He loves going there, and I think that is the best indicator.

Approximate cost: $55-$63

This medical centre is quite good, you get good personal service from the doctors, and you are not rushed in and out, or just given a prescription to get you out the door. Some doctors are better than others, but they are all very good. They also have a practice at Carlingford.

The staff here are very friendly and professional. They do a good job. They are a bit expensive though, but most of the places around here can be a bit pricey if you want decent service. It would be good if they offered packages, rather than charging for individual bits when you get a lot done.

These people have pretty good value clothes most of the time, but keep an eye on the specials rack out the front! I just got good thick tracksuit pants for my kids for $5 each. My son was most impressed, because his pants had TMNT on them!

I changed to 3 from Telstra last July and I am saving so much money! My $30 plan with Telstra was regularly costing me $60 and more, and since I have changed to 3, I have not gone over my cap once. They include SMS in their caps, which really helps, as well as national numbers.

Approximate cost: $29

I changed over to these guys about a month ago from Unwired, and I am getting internet so much faster now, and it is more reliable, it is cheaper, and I have a larger download allowance. And it is so much more portable. I can also send SMS messages from my computer now.

Approximate cost: $29.00

Their fruit and vegies are always fresh and last a long time. I never get anything rotten or that goes off in a couple of days. They have really good yoghurt as well, like you get a Harris Farm. They have a proper deli where they slice meat on demand, it lasts so much longer. The gelato you can get there is beautiful too, but expensive. You can also write your name and number on your receipt and drop in in a box for a weekly draw for $30 to spend in-store - I haven't won yet! They can be a bit pricier than the supermarkets and other places, but I have never had to throw anything out yet, so that balances it somewhat.

I have been buying meat here for years, and it is so much cheaper than any butcher's in my area. I go every couple of months and spend about $150 to feed 2 adults and 1 child for that amount of time. The quality is always good and they have other things they are introducing, such as frozen foods, and cheeses and yoghurts are are great value and quality as well. On Saturdays they have sausage sizzles (I have heard) but it is so packed there, so I go during the week. They're open pretty good hours too, to suit most people.