invest in a good set of clippers I got mine with my flybuys points and they have lasted me more than 10 years I got a video with it showing me how to do basic haircuts which was handy to watch (after you had stuffed up your sons mo hawk that you said youd let him have)cheap as chips to run and when you get the hang of it , its a breeze.Cut both my sons my nephews and the kids friends video stuffed now but pretty easy it operate, hubby wants me to do his BUT im not touching his hair with a barge pole he would moan and moan and moan and moan if anything went wrong where as NOW i can say to the kids well your working now if you still being tight by getting mum to cut your hair except what you get or go somewhere else

kob - 2008-05-30 06:34:00

bumpnig up we all need to here these

stompy - 2008-06-01 13:24:00

I love this thread Thanks so much for all the tips, am using Kob's laundry liquid, and will try some of the alternative nonchemical tips, am off to clean the oven, and windows... And then to buy stuff to make the anti-frizz hair stuff. Being allergic to Salicylates means most storebought cleansers are out for me, as well as anything with apricot! this thread is fantastic

rakki1 - 2008-06-02 14:51:00

Leftover mashed spuds .. Went to a friends for dinner the other night, and he used left over mashed spud from the night before, an egg and a little grated cheese, rolled then in stuffing mix. and baked them in a little oil. OMG yummmmmmmm

rakki1 - 2008-06-02 14:55:00

Cheese!!! Yes I know it's like gold to buy now... however for the next time you do buy it (on special of course!) Don't be fooled by all the different brands ...... hubbie started work at Fonterra, Eltham cheese plant, and has told me the only differnce in cheese is the wrapper on it!!! He said they do a batch of whatever cheese eg. edam and it comes out in 20kg blocks then is cut into the various supermarket sizes and wrapped. He also said the same batch is split into the various brands eg. budget, anchor, mainland etc. it's all the same cheese!! It begs the question then how come they can put the same cheese in a different wrapper and get away with charging an extra $2 odd a kilo block at the supermarket??!!

cnrstone - 2008-06-02 18:40:00

crnrstone bread is exactly the same I went to the maia bread factory when i was doing my bakery training, and there were 3 breads that were coming out of the same batch Natures fresh, budget & i cant remeber the 3 but all the same bread....YOU know i have a very fussy family and for the life of me if they ever found out some of the things i do they would kill me.....but due to what ive told you above if i buy budget bread and it sits in it budget wrapper the avoid it with the plague but if the eat the natures fresh bread its the best bread ever....SO on a tight week i save two NF bags and trasnfer the budget bread to the NF wrapper no ones knows no one says a thing and its still the best bread ever and my son goes to me i dont know why you buy that budget crap bread cause its doesnt stay fresh this is much better stuff( & it was the budget in the NF wrap)LOL dont tell on me

kob - 2008-06-03 07:08:00

this what tvnz used the other night as saving tips What we put in our mouths can often be the hardest thing to cut back on in tough times.
In the third episode of the "on the cheap" series, ONE News' reporter Hadyn Jones looks at ways to save on grocery bills.
Maureen Little from Family Budgeting Services knows a lot about shopping - she spends $60,000 a year on groceries for West Auckland's food banks.
She says it is still possible to eat well without blowing the budget, but whoever is doing the shopping must get organised before going to the supermarket.
She says writing a list will help select what is needed, and the shopper should plan to buy for the whole week rather than making multiple trips to the supermarket.
Little advises leaving children at home if possible as they may end up filling up the trolley. Also, don't shop on an empty stomach as she says a full stomach is needed to think straight and make the best choices.

kob - 2008-06-03 07:29:00

cont Once the shopper is organised, it is important to pick the right supermarket as it can influence the total food bill. Consumer surveys show that it is around $10 per weekly shop cheaper to shop at Pak n Save which reflects an annual saving of $520.
Once shoppers are at the supermarket, they should be aware of choices they face when they selecting what goes in the trolley. For example, non-branded milk can be $1 cheaper. There is no compromise on nutrients but rather consumers are paying for different labelling.
Little also says canned fruit is cheap and just as good. She uses the example of tomatoes which are $0.65 for a 400g can but a kilo of fresh tomatoes are about $5.
And, once the trolley is full of carefully considered selections, remember to stay away from the tempting displays at the checkout!

kob - 2008-06-03 07:30:00

shower Gel Just looking for a shower Gel recipe , anyone seen one I've got the soap one , but wondered if there are any others . Cheers

stitch50 - 2008-06-05 22:24:00

and back to the top we go! have a great day all!

timetable - 2008-06-06 05:28:00

I saw that lady too kob what she was was wise but then I think most of us have known all those tips for years. I did laugh when she said about saving on average $10 a week at pak n save. For us it would cost that $10 to get there in the car. Hence we shop at home. IMagine spending $60,000 a year what fun she must have lol. ... I got a 3 litre budget milk yeaterday at new world for $4-59. Pams was $3-55 for 2 litres so I there for paid a little over $1-50 a litre so the 3 litre was a good guy. It will last me too weeks too so Im lucky there.

popeye333 - 2008-06-06 11:28:00

I think its great Kob posting these recipes who doesn't want to save$$$ I am using the home made laundry liquid and find it great.

stompy - 2008-06-06 12:54:00

Floor cleaner does anyone know a good recipe or recommend a brand that does a good job on a lino floor please.

rozie4 - 2008-06-06 16:26:00

hi people lol i love trademe! awesum thread hope i can add something 1 day goodnite all

madshazza - 2008-06-06 23:36:00

Budgets bumping to the top, so that we don't lose the thread

rema - 2008-06-10 11:19:00

Budgets Cant wait to try some of these recipes... yum... and budget tips...thankyou

lydians - 2008-06-10 21:01:00

Clothes Washing Mixture Hi there Kon, just wondering if I could use your receipe (ie Lux Flakes & washing soda)for washing clothes in my front loading washing machine??? or ould it bbble up too much??

wally35 - 2008-06-11 14:53:00

wally you cant of look through the thread cause we have dicussed this many times and YES is fine to use in front loaders as it doesn't have much suds at all

kob - 2008-06-12 06:33:00

Sorry Kob I'm really sorry about not noticing in previous threads that I can use your washing machine mixture in my front loader, but I have only just discovered this wonderful, magical space called the Message Board, I think I was just a tad overwelmed by it all, it's absolutely amazing, I am addicted to it now!!!! so very many thanks.

wally35 - 2008-06-14 23:42:00

go kob wow yourve done it again,just as im on my last dollar, your back, ive been using the washig lq since xmas, i love it, thank you so much for this thread, you always make my life cheaper and better, i hope you have a fantastic day, i know i will after reading this

bigdaddyd1 - 2008-06-15 10:17:00

Katiej4 I wrote that I made muesli bars... here is what I do...

1 cup wholemeal or plain self raising flour, 2 cups rolled oats, 150g butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 tbsp golden syrup and then add choc chips or chopped nuts or raisins or anything you fancy. Bake 15-20 mins in a slice tray and cut up while still hot. Easy peasy! My son likes them better than the supermarket ones + he likes helping make them.

monsterboy - 2008-06-15 15:52:00

borrow your kids savings!! just joking.... I realised a while ago that my sons savings was only getting 4% interest or something pathetic, but my ASB fast saver is double that, so I have temporarily added his savings to mine and we both benefit...not much but it will be good in the long run.

monsterboy - 2008-06-15 16:05:00

Clothes Washing Mix Hi there, if I was to just make up two Litres at a time of the Clothes Washing Mix, can someone with a good brain tell me the amounts of Lux Flakes & Washing Soda to use for this amount????
I'm having very bad brain scramble trying to figure this out. Very Many Thanks

wally35 - 2008-06-16 16:54:00

no problems....for 2 Litres 2T lux 3T washing soda 2 drops of essentail oil mix in a little hot water than shake and add warm water to fill container

kob - 2008-06-16 18:46:00

Hi... I save a fair bit by getting my milk, bread and fruit and veg at fruit shop. Milk, 2x 2ltr for $5, Bread, (Rye and Grain, but also have white, sunflower and Barley etc) 4 for $5. Fruit and veg always cheaper than supermarket. It's definitely worth checking it out :)

waniac1 - 2008-06-16 20:01:00

Also only buy meats on special. Whatever is on special that week buy a few packets. I now have an overflowing freezer and never spend over $150 a week for family of 4. We eat very well and most of the time our groceries are under $100 a week.

waniac1 - 2008-06-16 20:04:00

Hi again I'm after a recipe for dishwashing detergent, searched up to page 7 and started to go crosseyed. If anyone has one could I please have it. Thanks heaps.

waniac1 - 2008-06-16 20:19:00

hi waniac1 thers 2 options mentioned 1..... grate 1 bar of sunlight soap add 1 jug of boiling water to a your biggest clean saucepan add the grated soap, when dissolved slowly add more water until the mix looks right, normally 1 bar of sunlight soap will make about 10 litra(one bucket).......tip2 get yourself a little devise that you put tea leaves into to just make a 1 cup tea with leaves sort of like a strainer but with two sides and it fits in a coffee cup, ok with your sunlight soap just cut small pieces off it and secure in your tea strainer and when your doing you dishes just dabble this in and out of the water, youd never know the differense

kob - 2008-06-17 07:05:00

Thanks kob You're amazing. Loveeeeeee this thread!! Use the laundry liquid all the time and have saved so much money. I especially love it for winter as it makes all our clothing, sheets and towels so soft and yummy. Ta :)

waniac1 - 2008-06-17 13:30:00

bumping ...

cnrstone - 2008-06-19 22:07:00

Thanks monsterboy for the muesli bar recipe. We seem to go through a lot every week, I guess because they are so handy and easy to eat. I will try your recipe in the weekend. Many thanks :-)

katiej4 - 2008-06-20 12:19:00

Just thought I'd share my budget advice that I have learnt and practiced this week. As you go throught the doors at pak n save there are bags of onions and carrots. Last week the onions were $3.49 for 2kgs ($1.75 per kilo)...I thought I only want a few so I will buy them loose...guess what 75c a kilo! then to add insult to injury you could buy a 10 kg sack.... looks like you are saving but that was $8.99 (90c kilo). Notice exactly the same with the carrots today... much cheaper to buy them loose.

toadfish - 2008-06-20 16:32:00

I am going to dinner at a friends place tonight She always does everything and people take nibbles or wine and thats always surplus as she is such a good host. The last couple of times I have taken a foodtown gift voucher to help offset the cost. But today I thought I would do something different. She is a career lady so not money short but time short. So I made a pot of my delicious (if I don't say so myself) homemade pumpkin soup. I have labelled up some clean peanut butter jars with "Yummy Homemade Pumpkin Cup a Soup" and she will have enough for a dinner (put in a frozen Yoghurt Tub) and 2 lunches. I also have made and labelled a container for a couple where the wife is recovering from surgery and will drop that off on the way. I am left with 2 small bowls for my daughters. All this from 1/4 of a pumpkin (given to me by a farmer freind) 2 carrots, 2 potatoes, an onion and a cup of milk (plus spices and stock).

toadfish - 2008-06-20 16:40:00

Contd I really feel happy to take this as my "gift" as I know she doesn't have the time (or possibly the inclination as she lives on her own) to make homemade soup. So just thought I'd share.

toadfish - 2008-06-20 16:40:00

hi im back in here again i also made soup for freezer and my nearly 4yr old loves it any of it.even when i cant work out weather its carrot or pumpkin better stock up on more in freezer
running low take care fluff

fluffylinda - 2008-06-22 21:49:00

I have been looking for this thread! I made the washing soap but couldn't remember how much you actually put in the machine (but it is a cup), and now I will make flowing soap with the bar of soap the girls left in the bottom of the bath. I think lots of people have read this thread as the local Bin Inn is completely out of washing soda...

firefly001 - 2008-06-22 21:59:00

also i add veges that look abit past the date and still ok and this is great..i take soup when i go for tea somewhere easy to pull out freezer, and also the winz booklet i use the pikelet recipe and today added yogurt from yogurt maker container and they were great and big for pancakes..

fluffylinda - 2008-06-22 22:01:00

Bumping up for Filmstar2 Hi Toady.. she'll just love your gift.. and your friend's will too.. you'll give them all 'warm fuzzies' with your kindness and thoughtfulness.. you're a sweetie..

juliewn - 2008-06-23 02:43:00

great thread people!!! i have to say i come and check out this thread all the time now- its a great one!! i havnt really got some recipie foodie tips but i had inspiration today.
My children are freezing in their beds at night- nope i didnt own flannels, wasnt that cold in the old house- we had a fire- and so to tell the story i have just bought a heap of winter sheets- $2 each from the church op shop, they are not a pretty pattern now- but tomorrow morning when i spin them out after they have been tie dyed..... my girls will love them, added bonus that finally my clothesline will be coloourful and pretty to look at!!!! :)i made sure i got ones that hadent pilled or gone "fuzzy".

carottop9 - 2008-06-23 17:09:00

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artbiz - 2008-06-24 00:17:00

artbiz i have been told from my mum that we had our milk the way your no1 method was and the more we got used to it the less bought milk she added, and we were virtually all powdered did us no harm.....great to see more interesting ides presnted i have been having probs with my broadband so cant always get on when i want go figure broadband was meant to solve those problems, I think telecom shudder when i call i have never had so many free months given to me as payment for hassles, anyway love to cook and freeze as you know and have just done my restock and i have a icecream container of chowmein, savoury mince, devilled sausages, satay chicken and a bag of cooked rice and also a small marg container of s& s pork so thursdays after work(1st day back after my weekend and alwasy sucks)will be easy for awhile

kob - 2008-06-24 09:34:00

By the way HI JULIA & JULIE GR8 to see ya in here and once again we have combined on another great cost saving thread.......

kob - 2008-06-24 09:36:00

What a great thread.. Thanks so much. Going to try the museli bars tonight.

gpandc - 2008-06-24 12:30:00

*waves back at KOB & Julie* My girlfriend loved the soup idea! Almost brought tears to her eyes when she said trust me to think of something thought ful like that. So will remember that for next time.. will have to put my thinking cap on....

toadfish - 2008-06-24 16:04:00

Todays example of budgeting..... We are saving so hard for our holiday and a couple of weeks ago hubby said, I really feel like a curry from our favourite indian. That normally sets us back over $100 (drinks entrees etc), but I said "Hold that thought" I had been given a promotional coupon from that restaurant, that was buy 2 curries, receive one free. So we ordered 3 butter chickens, put the rice maker on with some extra basmati rice. Hubby had the chicken from 1, and the 3 of us girls shared the chicken from the other 2 and there was so much sauce that we ended up with a whole container left of butter chicken sauce which I froze. Think the dinner cost us $31 with Naans.

toadfish - 2008-06-24 16:12:00

cont'd A big treat at 1/3 of the price of going out. Tonight I have sauted some cubed chicken breast and added the sauce... smells just like our favourite Indian.... "Oh wait a minute.... thats coz it is" lol. So theres absolutely no need to go short or go without just because you are on a budget. (The boneless chicken breast was $8.99 a kg,- stocked up on it when it was on special at warehouse extra)

toadfish - 2008-06-24 16:12:00

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artbiz - 2008-06-24 16:50:00

bumping i spent hours lastnight and read all the pages on this thread! ended up a very late night!
ive joined simplesavingsdotcodotnz, its got great ideas, just the free part, apparently woolys has mark downs about 9pm .. so il go check that out.. we're so tight and frugil that the only thing i can skimp on and alternive is the milk powder.. from that site, from the chart of alternatives.. pretty good feelingn to know were doing most of the other things.. and luckily my hub has a co. car so petrol does not apply to us..as with drinking smoking etc.. many luxuries (i wouldnt call drink and smoke a lux lol ) you know what i mean.. im going to make those cheese ball recipes on god knows what page.. ive cut and pasted from this thread and printed a motivational calendar off savingsdotcodotnz site. anyway have a lovely day, the other day on moneyman.. *HINT* boil the jug and fill your flask, i used to boil it and forget then reboil it.. so this is saving me a lot of power as jugs use alot :0

mark86 - 2008-06-25 07:51:00

oh my gosh!!! I tried the baking soda finally and it works better than that cream clenser stuff!
Also very happy to report that I halved my dish liquid and topped it up with watter, works just as good YAY!....is it sad that these things are exciting for me???

monsterboy - 2008-06-25 12:37:00

micro cleaning cloths found at most supermarkets as excellent for clothing with chemicals. What are the thoughts of others?

peach50 - 2008-06-25 19:56:00