Some say that solar power is the way of the future, but the high upfront cost of solar panels has been a stumbling block. So there was a ripple of excitement within the oily rag community recently when a media headline exclaimed, “Free panels place solar power within reach for kiwis”. However, on further reading, it is apparent that while there are lots of free things for the frugally minded, solar power is not yet one of them.
Temperatures are on the way down and our daylight hours are about to get one hour shorter. This has created an unusual problem for Paul from Northland who has this question: “The colder weather is bringing uninvited guests into the house – rats, mice and ants! I do not want to use expensive poisons. Does […]
We have had a big response to a question raised by JimO from Torbay who asked for help cleaning shower glass. CatherineB from Auckland says, “We have found that Chemco with a Silver Lady cloth works wonders on shower glass. It’s not that expensive and Chemco lasts for a long time.” Kirsty from Southland has […]
With the sunny season coming to an end its time to fill your pantry shelves and freezer with food to last you though to the next growing season. It is a matter of dollars and sense for the frugal family because fruit and vegetables are cheapest when they are abundant and serious savers will be […]
This week we have more frugal tips and answers to questions from the oily rag community! Fay from Blenheim recently asked about whether lavender oil could be used as a flea treatment for dogs. Jeanne from Temuka replied, “I don’t know if I would use lavender oil on a pet to help rid of it […]
We have received lots of new tips in recent weeks and answers to questions from readers. Last week Thrifty from Hamilton asked about storing part sachets of yoghurt starter. Em from Christchurch replies, “I just fold the top of the original packet over, and put the whole packet in a zip-lock plastic bag and seal […]
This week the frugal living tips include a tasty sounding recipe for silver beet – which is in abundance at present, ways to make the most of in-season fruit, and there are a couple of questions from oily rag readers. Canny Scot from Christchurch has a cleaning tip. “I use WD40 for heaps of things. […]
Last week we asked a couple of questions that readers had sent in. True to form, the frugal community has lots of penny-pinching answers. Rachel from Tauranga asked, “How do you feel about soda stream machines and yoghurt makers? Do they save money; are they worth it?” Here are some of the suggestions from readers. […]
“More oily rag mail!” said our postie as the latest bag-full of frugal tips was heaved into our letterbox. Here are some of the gems we discovered. Thrifty from Hamilton has a number of tips. “Gain extra storage space under a bed base that is too low by placing 5cm blocks of wood under the […]
The mailbags are full again, with interesting and helpful tips. When romance is in the air, P.B. from Auckland has this tip to keep wedding costs down. “When my husband and I were married 13 years ago, (2nd time round), when we sent out the invitations we put on the bottom BYO gents, ladies a […]