It’s spring and soon to be summer so if you haven’t already done the annual spring clean, there is no time to lose. We know from your letters and experience that the best way to tackle the task is as a family social day – but with military-like discipline. Organise and arm the troops […]
It’s money week so this week we are going to talk about rhubarb (just kidding)… we are going to talk about how to put more of your money into your pocket and less into someone else’s. Living off the smell of an oily rag means different things to different people. For some it’s about […]
The mail bags are full again. This week the tips range from a “feel-like-Cleopatra” face cleaner to a way of keeping your pot plants well watered! Marie from Rotorua has this tip about face cleaner. “The best face cleaner you can get is ground almonds – from the bulk foods section at Pak ‘N […]
This week we have some replies to a reader’s question, and lots of yummy kitchen tips. Graeme asked. “I have false teeth and am looking for an alternative to paying $7 at the supermarket for denture cleaning tablets.” Well, there was no shortage of suggestions from frugal followers – Graeme is obviously not alone […]
A couple of weeks ago TV One’s Seven Sharp did a news story about free fruit. With “free” in the subject line, those frugally inclined are likely to remember it. It was about a very nice “mad fruit lady” from Auckland who drives the suburbs in search of fruit going to waste. Lemons were her […]
Last week we sent out an SOS to the frugal community on behalf of Ruth from Taumarunui and Shelley from Kerikeri, who had asked about the best (that is the best value) place to buying essential oils. True to form, readers came to the rescue. Selina from Walton recommends this. “I buy bulk essential oils […]
The mailbags are full again, so here are some of the more interesting or titillating tips. Lin, an oily rag reader from the UK, asked us for ideas for using a surplus of broad beans – especially “once they’ve got big and tough?” Hank from Rotorua has these suggestions. “I try to get […]
The mail bags are full again, and now that its spring attention is turning to the garden. A reader from Whangarei was bragging to us recently about their new garden. They were giving their garden a much needed makeover and decided to approach it by asking what it was they least liked about gardening. […]
Hoardings have appeared in pastures like spring mushrooms, spending promises and dirty politics fill the air, politicians are making their three-yearly visit to our door to say they are listening instead of saying we should listen – it must be election time! Not to be denied a soapbox, the Oily Rag community has been […]
A reader has asked for a quick summary of some quick and easy ways to save money so we have put together our “top five” money saving tips in some money hungry areas. Motoring 1. Reduce your speed and save money. Slowing down from 110 km to 100 km will result in a 15% fuel […]