Author Archives: Frank & Muriel Newman

Yum peaches

An oily ragger from Northland has been in touch to say how much they are enjoying their oily rag orchard – their peach tree in particular. “It’s a fairly young tree. Last year we picked a basket full but this year there is an absolute abundance. Each day our family makes a pilgrimage to the […]

From free travel to DIY sparkies

Summer is a busy time for oily raggers: they are busy in the garden and in the kitchen preparing no-cost meals from their bounty. It’s also been busy on the oily rag website with lots of readers sending in tips and titillations. Here are some of those we have received. P.L from Auckland writes, “It’s […]

From wedding dresses to tasty tofu

This week we have interesting tips from far and near, from wedding dresses to tofu, along with a question about socks! Marie from Rotorua has this suggestion for Carolyn in Perth who would love to create a family cookbook. “I have done just this and it is very popular with the family. I have called […]

Ho ho frugal Christmas

It’s Christmas and that’s a time for oily rag households to breakout the home brew and celebrate their frugality with low cost feasts. Here are some ideas for summer treats usingfruit that is in-season and plentiful. To make a cheap and very filling pudding, try this ‘cobbler’ (this has nothing to do with holes in […]

Oily Rag Tips: From cleaners to duck eggs

The mail bags are full again and the frugal community has some suggestions to last week’s questions. Michelle from Invercargill has his great grout and shower cleaning tip. “Like a lot of things, regular cleaning of tiles and glass saves a lot of hard work later on. For glass, always wipe dry after a shower […]

Your mail and questions

The mail bags are full again. Here’s a sample of the latest tips we have received and some questions for the frugal community. Cheryl-Anne from Auckland has this question. “I am wondering if anyone has a tip on how to get blue nail polish off a light coloured carpet? Thank you.” Warren from Tauranga is […]

Fresh & frugal

It’s been too long since we have reminded readers abut the pleasures of local markets. Spring seems like a great time of the year to do so – when fresh produce is abundant and cheap.   Local markets radiate community spirit. Stalls are full of fresh fruit and vegetables. Buskers and friendly banter fill the […]

Santa’s low cost gift giving

We all know what you buy at the supermarket has a major influence   Another month year is about to come to an end, which means oily rag households will be getting busy planning for the special day. Fortunately the oily rag community has sent through lots of ideas about low-cost gift giving to make […]

The best place to shop

We all know what you buy at the supermarket has a major influence on your household budget, but according to the annual price survey released by Consumer, where you buy also makes a big difference.   Each year Consumer’s people storm the supermarket isles armed with a list of 40 top-selling products. They then compare […]

Oily Rag Q & A

The mail bags are bursting with ideas and questions so its time to dig in and see what tips and titbits lie in wait.   First a query. Busy Mum from Whangarei is thinking about Christmas – in particular what to prepare for a Christmas feast, without high cost. If you can help with thrifty […]