If you are heading for a short trip out of Melbourne by flying or heading home, you might have heard of the following options:

- Get to Southern Cross (AUD3.76 for a regular single trip within Zone 1 - 2hr), then take the Skybus (AUD18 one way) which makes it AUD21.76.

Duration: 40 minutes - 1 hour (depending on traffic conditions)

- Take the metro to Broadmeadows station, then take Bus 901. This takes AUD3.76 in total as well but it's a real bitch to carry your luggage up and down public transport.

Duration: 2 hours

There is also an option of choosing Uber (choose uberX) that has proven to be fast, reliable, very convenient and cheaper than taking the Skybus. For a distance of 20km, the fare came up to AUD42 which is equivalent to the price of taking the Skybus if you're sharing with one more (AUD21/pax) or cheaper if you're sharing with two people (AUD14/pax). Plus you get so much more convenience than trying to maneuver your way to Southern Cross station.
Duration: under 40 minutes (during rush hour)

Alternatively if you have a friend who is willing to drive you to the airport that's the best of course.

Note: Cab fees may differ from where you board from, use the Uber fare calculator.

Groupon has become a ridiculous source of joy ever since I started using it. I thoroughly enjoyed a full Teppanyaki lunch complete with ice-cream for AUD20 (original price AUD42) - more on that next time - and will be going for a vegetarian buffet for AUD7.5 (original price AUD15). Feeling extra-sensitive because I was using a Groupon voucher, I looked out for any sense of preferential treatment or bias during my experience but I could not feel any at all. I would still steer clear of facial, beauty, massage and 'experiential' deals on Groupon though. I have received feedback that the Puffing Billy or Yarra Valley deals were scaled back or underwhelming for Groupon users. A little research also shows that arranging your own trip there is also cheaper, so do not rely entirely on Groupon and think that everything costs less on this platform.

If you are already at QVM for your grocery shopping, you might as well head down to Footscray for better bargains and discounts on your little onions, veggies, meats and fruits. Footscray is an amazing Vietnamese enclave that sells a lot of Asian ingredients, sauces... you name it, they have it. Exchange students, listen up - if you are looking to do a kitchen items haul at the beginning of your term here, it is tempting to go to Russell Street's Asian grocery store which seems to have everything. You will find that all the items you need are marked down considerably (10c to 50c per item) at Footscray's Supermarket instead.

The name sounds pretty vague, but to put it plainly, opportunity stores sell second-hand or preloved items. They do occasionally sell brand-new stuff, but that's very rare. Before you skip this point, it is worthy to know that you can get branded goods that are not too shabby in quality - the shopkeepers actually keep to a standard on what they sell. Some of the items you can get from opportunity stores include clothes, furniture, trinkets, kitchen equipment, accessories, bags, books... the list goes on. It's basically a treasure trove in there, especially for the vintage lovers! For exchange students or international students who will be here in Melbourne only temporarily, it is a fantastic way to buy substantially thick winter clothing (that can get expensive), and furniture. It is definitely not for fussy buyers, though if you dig deep enough, you will find something that resonates with you.