Category Archives: Reader tips

K.S., Morrinsville.

We used to have a wheelie bin. It cost us about $10 a week where we live to have that service (about $500 a year) . I go to town once a week to do my weekly shopping so now I drive about 5 km further and take my garden bag of rubbish to the […]

E.L., Christchurch.

This is not a new tip as such but a big thank you for the idea of making ones own gift baskets. I followed the idea of creating themes and made one on baking, and another on scone making. It is great to be creative and the cost of these baskets is so cheap compared […]

Peeter, Auckland.

As a man living alone I can do what I like, which can have oily rag advantages. I just got my water bill and it tells me that my usage is way below the average for someone in my circumstances. Reasons? I never use the bath; just have a quick shower every other day. I […]

L McCall, Canterbury.

I bought a Michael Hill watch quite a few years ago. The best thing about buying their brand is that when your battery goes flat, every couple years, take it in and they put a new one in for free! yes! I have have 2 free batteries so far and the watch is going strong. […]

Canny Scot, Christchurch.

If you have a computer you really should download Skype which is free. Skype to Skype user calls are always free but even to a land line the cost is a few cents only and I am talking about overseas calls. I have not paid a toll call on my landline for years and my […]

J Chen, Auckland.

I call my son who is studying in California in the USA using prepaid phone cards. They are a great way to save on calls, plus when I buy them online and save 15%. I pay with PayPal which is safe as I am not to sure about giving my credit card details on the […]

Oily Ragger, Wellington.

I just checked by credit card statement and noticed an $87 charge for a magazine sub. I could not recall making the payment so I called them and they told me the payment was an “auto-renew” of last years sub. They tell me subs paid by credit card are automatically renewed unless advised otherwise – […]

Canny Lass, Upper Hutt.

To make strong “rubber” bands of varying sizes, cut used rubber gloves into strips. The cuffs make big bands and fingers make smaller ones, good for keeping pairs of knitting needles etc together.

Eru, Whangarei.

Put food scraps in bread bags and store them in the freezer until rubbish day. This avoids unpleasant smells and means you don’t have to pay for rubbish bags that are only partially full.

D.M.

I brought some plaster from the supermarket 2 weeks ago, only about 30 plasters in the packet. And today I was in the $2 shop and they have a packet of plasters with 2 long strips, so came home and cut them up into normal size strips, and I got 85 plasters. What a good […]