Denise from Auckland explains how she cost down on the cost of meat. “Think differently when it comes to buying meat. When visiting a supermarket don’t look at the price of the item but how much per kg. You can pay $16.00 for sausages and $10.00 a kg for Beef. Buy a piece of meat […]
Karen from Palmerston North has this recipe for a homemade alternative to commercial sugar soap for wall cleaning. You need: 1/4 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of laundry detergent (unscented is better), 1/2 cup sugar, and 1.9 litres hot water. Mix ingredients well then apply to walls with a sponge, terry cloth (which is […]
John from Northland writes, “The Lotto prize pool only returns 53c for every $1 spent. Not a great investment!”
John from Northland has a simple low cost and quick stuffed spuds meal. “Scrub potatoes and dry. Bake in a hot oven (220C) for about 45 minutes until the potatoes are soft – or zap them in the microwave. Once the potatoes are cooked, scoop out the flesh and mash up with any cheap filling […]
When looking for the best buy focus on the unit price, not the total price, like the cost of a product per 100g. It makes it really easy to compare the price of different brands and weights. For example, on the Countdown online shopping site a 1.5kg bag of flour is shown as $1.19 a […]
John has written in with his “recipe” for making a perfect oily rag fire in a freestanding wood burning heater. “It all starts with junk mail. Use the newsprint type as the glossy paper does not burn so well. Next add dead cabbage tree leaves – the one’s that wrap around your mower blades and […]
Here’s a simple recipe for crumbed sausages, which in posh households is known as ‘bangers a’ la crumb’. All you need is 500g sausages, 1 egg, flour, breadcrumbs, oil for frying, and salt and pepper. Boil your favourite sausages for 5 minutes. Allow to cool, then peel off the skin. Roll the now skinless sausages […]
Don’t throw out the leftover tea. Strain the liquid and add it to fruit drinks for punch, or use it for cleaning paintwork. Tired wooden furniture is improved by washing the wood with the cold tea, then dry and polish in the normal way. Pot-plants are also improved by watering with cold tea.
Take advantage of the free coffee and tea cards that some of the fast food outlets offer pensioners. One reader is a regular customer of a fast food chain and she never spends a cent!
I have discovered another virtue in having a son-in-law – especially one that is about my size! I now receive an endless supply of pre-loved clothing. My wardrobe is literally bursting with the almost-latest fashion jeans, jackets, and shirts. I am now, very subtly, suggesting what he may like to buy, knowing that it will […]