published 8 Sep 2025
Spend it, save it, or something else? Aussies reveal what they’d do with a $10k cash injection
- Over half of Aussies (53%) would bank a surprise $10,000, with savings, travel and home upgrades topping the list of priorities
- Younger Australians (18-34) are the most savings-focused, while older Aussies are more likely to use $10,000 to help their friends and family, or boost their super
- ING launches “Cashback Moments*,” giving Orange Everyday and Orange One customers the chance to win cash prizes of $100, $1,000 or $10,000 until 30 November 2025 (or until prizes run out) – part of a $750k prize pool, simply by using their eligible ING card
If $10,000 landed in your bank account tomorrow, what would you do?
According to new research from ING, Australians are split between practical priorities and playful possibilities when it comes to a cash windfall.
In a survey of over 1,300 ING customers, more than half (53%) said they’d stash the money in savings, while 37% would funnel it into a travel fund, and 32% would invest in home repairs or upgrades. Other popular choices included investing in shares, property or crypto (28%), paying off credit card or personal debt (28%), and building an emergency fund (26%).
Interestingly, age plays a big role in how Aussies would spend their windfall:
- Young Australians (18–34) are the most savings-focused, with a whopping 69% opting to bank the money
- Those aged 55–64 are more likely to boost their superannuation (26% vs. the 16% average)
- Australians aged 65+ show their generosity, with 30% saying they’d help out family or friends (compared to the 17% average)
But it’s not all spreadsheets and savings accounts. When asked about fun or quirky ways to spend $10,000, Aussies let their imaginations run wild:
- 27% would book a White Lotus-style wellness retreat
- 26% dream of taking a sabbatical to do whatever they want
- 25% would roll the dice on a mystery travel package, where the destination is a surprise
- 21% would go on a “bucket list blitz” weekend – think skydiving, hot air ballooning and more
- 14% would hit the road for a themed road trip to visit every “Big Thing” in Australia – from the Big Banana to the Big Lobster
ING launches Cashback Moments
The research comes as ING launches “Cashback Moments*”, giving Orange Everyday and Orange One customers the chance to win a portion of $750k in over 3,500 cash prizes of $100, $1,000 or $10,000 until 30 November 2025 (or until prizes run out) – just by using their eligible ING card.
From future plans to dream experiences, ING is offering Aussies a chance to make everyday spending go further through surprise cashback moments, and ING Pocket Perks which launched at the end of August.
Matt Bowen, Head of Consumer and Market Insights at ING Australia, comments on the report findings:
“We’ve all dreamt of how we’d spend a big cash windfall, but it’s interesting to see how Australians balance practicality of helping get ahead financially, with the ultimate indulgence or unexpected splurge. While many are focused on financial wellbeing – like saving, investing or paying down debt – it’s clear from the data that we’re also looking to use the money for experiences that bring joy and meaning, like travel or helping out friends or family.
“At ING, we’re proud to be the bank that is helping Australians make the most of their money. These new cashback moments are on top of other benefits eligible customers can enjoy, like 1% cashback on eligible utility bills for Orange Everyday account holders, and rebates on ING international transaction fees and retailer discounts via ING Pocket Perks for eligible Orange Everyday and Orange One customers.”
For more information regarding ING Cashback Moments and for the full terms and conditions, visit www.campaigns.ing.com.au/cashback-moments.
More information
- This study was conducted online between 5th and 11th August 2025
- The samples comprised of 1,318 ING customers aged 18 years and older
Ca-Ching Cashback Moments Chance to Win Promotion
Promotion runs from 5 September to 30 November 2025 or until prize pool is exhausted. Open to Australian residents aged 18+ with an active Orange Everyday account who are opted into marketing communications and remain opted into marketing communications until 12 January 2026, are the original recipient of an email from ING about this Promotion and are not in arrears or financial hardship. Entry via eligible card purchases (excluding ATM withdrawals, cash advances, pseudo cash card purchase, BPAY, pay anyone, and internal payments). Opt-in to marketing required. Total prize pool: $750,000, including prizes of $100, $1,000 and $10,000. Exclusions and Tamp;Cs apply. The prize may have tax implications. You should seek independent tax advice.
Winners will be notified by SMS and email and published at campaigns.ing.com.au/cashback-moments-winners. Visit campaigns.ing.com.au/cashback-moments. Permits: NSW Licence No. NTP/14172; ACT Licence No. TP25/01942; and SA Licence No. T25/1456. Promoter: ING Bank (Australia) Limited, ABN 24 000 893 292. Promoter: ING Bank (Australia) Limited, ABN 24 000 893 292.
ING Pocket Perks
ING Pocket Perks offers are subject to specific eligibility requirements set by the merchant providing the offer, and these details will be displayed in the ‘Offers’ section of the ING app. Cashback is usually credited within 7 days of a qualifying purchase being fully processed. ING Pocket Perks offers are also subject to the Orange Everyday Terms & Conditions or Orange One Terms & Conditions. Offers are for a limited time only and subject to change.
Customers who prefer not to receive personalised cashback offers or related communications can opt out at any time via the unsubscribe link in any ING marketing email. Even after opting out, they will continue to have access to non-personalised offers.
Orange Everyday Benefits for Orange Everyday Customers
Orange Everyday Benefits will apply for the next month when you meet the following eligibility criteria during the current month:
- deposit at least $1,000 from an external source to any personal ING account in your name (excluding Living Super and Orange One), and
- also make at least 5 card purchases that are settled (and not at a ‘pending status’) using your ING debit or credit card (excluding ATM withdrawals, balance enquiries, cash advances and EFTPOS cash out only transactions).
Orange Everyday customers who hold an ING Home Loan are automatically eligible for Orange Everyday Benefits, and are not required to meet this monthly criteria.
Each month that you’re eligible for the Orange Everyday Benefits, you’ll receive the following on your Orange Everyday accounts:
- 1% cashback on eligible utility bill payments (up to $100 per financial year);
- Unlimited rebates on the ING International Transaction Fee; and
- Rebates on ATM withdrawal fees for the first 5 fee incurring ATM withdrawals (excludes international ATM operator fees).
An eligible utility bill payment is a payment made by BPAY or direct debit (BSB and account number) or PayTo from your Orange Everyday account for a water, gas or electricity bill from an agreed supplier for the Australian residential address of the account holder.
For full terms and conditions, see the Orange Everyday Terms and Conditions, the Everyday Banking Fees and Limits Schedule, Orange Everyday Benefits Schedule and the agreed utility supplier list.
Subject to the Orange Everyday Terms and Conditions, we may change or cancel Orange Everyday Benefits at any time at our discretion.
Benefits on the Orange Everyday from 15 October 2025
From 15 October 2025, all Orange Everyday customers will automatically get access to:
- 1% cashback on eligible utility bill payments (up to $100 per financial year) (T&Cs apply).
- $0 ING international transaction fees, and
- $0 ING international ATM withdrawal fees.
All without needing to meet any monthly eligibility requirements.
For domestic ATM withdrawals, there will continue to be no fees charged by ING, but third party operator fees will no longer be rebated. Eligibility criteria to unlock the additional variable interest rate on the Savings Maximiser will remain unchanged.
Existing Orange Everyday Benefits will continue to apply up until 14 October 2025 for customers that met the eligibility criteria in the previous month.
An eligible utility bill payment is a payment made by BPAY, direct debit (BSB and account number), or PayTo from your Orange Everyday account for a water, gas or electricity bill from an agreed supplier for the Australian residential address of the account holder. Up to $100 per Orange Everyday, per financial year.
For full terms and conditions, see the Orange Everyday Terms and Conditions and Fees and Limits schedule, Orange Everyday Target Market Determination and the agreed utility supplier list at ing.com.au.
Rebate offers for Orange One customers
The International Transaction Fee Rebate Offer, ING International ATM Fee Rebate Offer and Australian ATM Fee Rebate Offer will apply for the next calendar month when you perform the following during the current calendar month:
- deposit at least $1,000 from an external source to any personal ING account in your name (excluding Living Super and Orange One), and
- also make at least 5 card purchases that are settled (and not at a ‘pending status’) using your ING debit or credit card (excluding ATM withdrawals, balance enquiries, cash advances and EFTPOS cash out only transactions).
Card purchases includes in store credit or EFTPOS purchases, online purchases, regular card payments, payWave, Apple Pay and Google Pay transactions made with an Orange Everyday Visa card, Orange One Low Rate or Orange One Rewards Platinum Visa card or Nil Interest Visa card provided with an eligible ING home loan. When using the phrase ‘settled’ card purchases in a calendar month, we mean that the purchases made on your card must be fully processed by the end of the last day of that month. Card purchases made in store or online this current calendar month which are at a ‘pending status’ and do not settle until the next calendar month do not count towards the 5 card purchases needed this current calendar month.
When determining if you are eligible under the offer, we also take into account the behaviour of any of your joint account holders or additional cardholders.
Orange One customers who hold an ING Home Loan are automatically eligible for the International Transaction Fee Rebate Offer, the International ATM Fee Rebate Offer and Australian ATM Fee Rebate Offer, and are not required to meet this monthly criteria.
If eligible:
- for ATMs in Australia – any ATM fee charged by the ATM operator is rebated immediately following the transaction,
- for ATMs outside Australia – ING will rebate the ING International ATM withdrawal fee immediately after it is charged. ATM fees charged by international ATM operators will not be rebated. ATM transactions outside Australia can take up to 5 business days to finalise, and
- for ING international transaction fees – ING will rebate the International Transaction fee immediately after it is charged. Merchants may charge you a separate fee for their services (which is not rebated under this offer).
If eligible, the offer applies to all accounts held in your name (including in respect of any additional cardholder).
The ING cash advance fee is not rebated under any of these offers.
ING can change or withdraw this offer at any time with notice.
Rebate Offers for Orange One Customers from 15 October 2025
All Orange One customers will automatically get $0 ING international transaction fees and ING international ATM withdrawal fees, without needing to meet the monthly eligibility requirements. For domestic ATM withdrawals, third party operator fees will no longer be rebated.
Information is current as at the date of publication and is subject to change.
All applications are subject to ING’s eligibility criteria and applications for credit are subject to ING’s credit assessment criteria. Fees and charges apply. Any advice in this document does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you. Before making any decision in relation to our products you should read the relevant terms and conditions available at ing.com.au. If you have a complaint, please call us as we have procedures in place to help resolve any issues you have. Products are issued by ING, a business name of ING Bank (Australia) Limited ABN 24 000 893 292 AFSL 229823, Australian Credit Licence 229823.
Previous Media Release
All information in the ING Newsroom is accurate at the time of publication.