Sarah Wilson

About a year ago, I completed a nine-month stint where I didn't buy a single item of clothing. Not even underwear. I didn't set out to do it, it kind of crept up on me. I'd go to the shops and try one or two things on, and then ask myself, "Do I really need this?". And every single time, I didn't. I figured I'd buy to replace. Nine months later my running shoes had worn out and my knickers drawer needed restocking. So I finally went shopping. And wrote about the experience in Sunday Life magazine.

This fashion-free stint really got me into a great saving headspace and taught me that consuming less makes for a far more simple life. It prioritises things for you. I had to ask, What do I want around me? What matters to me? Do I want stuff? Or a deposit on a flat? I saved a very surprising amount of money in this time... Which I squirreled away in an ANZ online saver account, which has a high interest rate. And the amount grew exponentially. The more I saved, the less and less I spent. A bit like when you get fit - you just want to do more exercise. It's rather addictive!

I now write a column in Sunday Life magazine and have a blog sarahwilson.com.au where I share tips about how to simplify life, de-clutter and prioritise and live life with a "less is more" kind of vibe!"

Rebecca Gibney

To all of you out there attempting to save money for the Febusave challenge my advice is as follows:

1. Don't go window shopping ... it only leads to retail therapy!
2. Skip the second latte ... have a water instead. You'll feel healthier and its cheaper.
3. Try out the home brand at supermarkets and chemists.
4. If you are a regular out to dinner type, try making the dinner out more of a special occasion and suggest to friends that you take turns staying in and everyone brings a plate.
5. When buying magazines choose the one that you really love and only buy one for the month. You can always read the others while you're waiting in line or at the doctors.

Catriona Rowntree

When I was a young lass of 22, an older and wiser female friend offered some precious financial advice 'open up a separate savings account, put aside a little each week, something you can't get at and just see what happens'. Well, praise the Lord for older wiser friends! What started with $10 per week, sure enough did slowly grow and grow. Today, I'm proud to say I've become my own Knight In Shining Armour and am financially independent. Let me be your older wiser friend, just start saving today, however small the amount. . . and just see what happens.

Polka Dot Bride

Polka Dot Bride is an Australian wedding blog dedicated to inspiring you to create a beautiful wedding uniquely yours. Operating the hugely popular lifestyle blog, www.polkadotbride.com since 2007 and is within the top 20 Australian female bloggers.

Sandra D'Souza

CEO, AskHer.com.au - The Only Place To Be For Women

Leigh Sundstrom

Founder of www.allforwomen.com.au and www.blogchicks.com.au

Deborah Robinson

Managing Editor, Feature Articles Writer and Webmaster of www.australianwomenonline.com.au

Kate Carruthers

Kate James

Founder and Director of Total Balance

There is nothing that gives you greater peace of mind than knowing you're in control of your finances - rather than your finances being in control of you. FebuSave is a much needed initiative. I meet with so many women who have never learned to take control of their personal finances and it is a huge contributing factor to stress. Most people I talk to aren't looking to be enormously wealthy but nearly all say that they want financial security. We still don't educate our kids well enough about how to achieve this. So many women lack the confidence to create and manage a budget and only a handful know about the incredible benefits of compounding interest. Most of my clients are stunned when I show them how much their money can grow over time.

We help them put in place a simple plan where they are saving a minimum of 10% of their annual salary and we set up a budget so that they still have money for the fun stuff like clothes shopping and entertainment. When you go on a shopping spree knowing it's budgeted for, it makes the whole experience completely guilt free!

I did this very thing with my own two daughters from the time they first received pocket money and now that they are 21 and 18, both have had overseas holidays that they have funded themselves and come home with some savings still in-tact. There is nothing that gives you greater peace of mind than knowing you're in control of your finances - rather than your finances being in control of you.

Lauren Smelcher

Online and Entertainment Editor, Cosmopolitan magazine

All too often, I see young women living week-to-week, without any savings to support them in case of emergency (or emergency holiday!) We spend so much time taking care of our bodies and minds - so why do we neglect our financial fitness? I love the idea of the FebuSave challenge. For my part, I'll be bringing my lunch in to work every day (promise!) and eliminating sneaky lunchtime purchases and pedicures. It's only 28 days, after all!

Dr Suzy Green

Consultant in Coaching and Positive Psychology

Recent research has shown that having a sense of control over our finances affects our well-being. As such have clearly defined goals and strategies to assist us in meeting these goals is crucial not only to our financial well-being but to our overall psychological well-being. The ANZ Febusave initiative is a great kick-start to a financial and psychological well-being strategy for 2010!

Jeremy Cabral

Credit Card Finder

We are honoured to be supporting FebuSave - it is an excellent initiative by ANZ. It is so important for the independence of Australian women that they are confident in managing their finances.

Joanne White

Mediamum

Money concerns can create so much stress and disharmony for families. FebuSave gives mums an opportunity to plan for a more comfortable financial situation the whole family will benefit from.

Sarah Pietrzak

Wife, Mother and Educational Consultant

I'm delighted to be part of the FebuSave initiative with the ANZ bank. As women we need to be more vocal about our financial goals and work consistently in order to achieve them. As someone constantly working to find balance in my life, financial security is just one of the many aspects I put under the microscope on my blog which works to explore all of life's possibilities.

Emily Doig

Sole Sister

The FebuSave program will educate and motivate women all over Australia to put their credit cards away and start thinking about saving and spending smarter!

Giving young women the tools, independence and motivation to start something new like a small business and go out on their own means so many others will benefit in the future!

I can't wait to see how not only others, but also myself will grow from a little bit of help from the ANZ.

Megan Blandford

Blogger

Women talk openly about so many things, but money is one of those taboo subjects. If we can break down those barriers, we can help each other to achieve financial freedom; that is, using the money we earn to make our goals possible.

Chantelle Ellem

Blogger

Christine Pobke

Photographer

Ever since I was young, my dad ingrained in me the habit of putting aside 10% of my weekly allowance into a savings account. As an adult, this has been such an amazing life lesson. Febusave is a great reminder to start or cultivate these sound financial habits!

Rebecca Dunstan

Blogger

FebuSave is an opportunity for women to take charge of their finances. Women are too often passive when it comes to looking after their money, and I am no stranger to this. I look forward to taking part in FebuSave and encourage women to join in and take the FebuSave challenge

Fi Bendall

Director

I am excited to be part of the Febusave initiative and part of the ANZ team delivering the implementation of this project. I believe it is hugely important that as women we share and connect with one another over the issue of our financial security.

Kirsty Wilson

Founder of Interim Business Solutions and Owner/Blogger of Travel Tips Plus

FebuSave is a fabulous initiative considering the report results regarding women and their finances! Incorporating the internet and the power of social media gives the program the ability to build a very supportive community for women to take ownership and responsibility for their financial well-being.

Little sacrifices and being smart with your income can make a big difference over time. I'm teaching my children this and they have started early. They put a little of their pocket money and a little of their gift money away, so when they turn 18 they can purchase a car and have the ability to attend interviews, get their first job and have more social freedom. Unfortunately, not every woman has access to money mentors and this is where Febusave can step in and provide the guidance to so many.

Clare Lancaster

Editor

Amy Louise Humer

Blogger

Joy Nowland

Blogger

I think FebuSave is such a brilliant and timely concept seeing the year that we have all just waded through.

Cost cutting, saving and budgeting is the new black and as women, we need to take care of ourselves and our family's financial future.

A husband is not a financial plan - and hasn't been for a very long time. It's time to put on your big girl knickers and plan for your own success.

What better way than through a nationwide forum to compare notes!

Johanna Baker-Dowdell

Blogger

I am thrilled to be part of FebuSave - not only because I can write about how saving can empower women to reach for their goals, but also because I could do with learning a few saving tips myself! I'm looking forward to learning and sharing throughout the month.

Kellie McCurdy

Blogger

Anneli Knight

Director of the 10thousandgirl Campaign and regular finance guest on Network Ten's "The Circle"

The surveys and statistics continue to show that Australian women are trailing men in our savings and in our confidence in dealing with money. It's important to create initiatives that bring women together to start conversations around money and planning for the future. And the more interactive and enjoyable these initiatives are, the more likely it is we'll talk about them, and then take that next step and do something.

Emma Merkas

Blogger and Relationships Guru

Being smart about money doesn't mean you have to sit at home every night clipping coupons. We want to encourage couples to keep going out on regular dates and outings, but you can be savvy about your outings together. Instead of a fancy restaurant, eat dinner at home and go out for dessert only! Or for breakfast!

Or take advantage of the great weather we have at the moment and go to free festivals, art galleries or for walks and ice cream on the beach....

We have so many amazing date ideas for you, and they can all be achieved for under $30. Happy Dating, you Thrifty Lovers!

Rebecca Varidel