it is next to kmart in henderson, the specials were great.
99c macleans orange toothpaste (no expiry date)
$2 for 2 spray cans canola oil (best before 31may)
$4.99 napisan oxyaction max reduced from like $12
heaps of choccies and lollies but they are not neccessities
lots of kids items
99c sprite, little bottles
$2.99 for mccoy grape juice not expired
alot of specials
maggi soup sachets 2 for 69 or 99c i cant remember
too many to list but sure they have them all on their website.

chonnni - 2010-06-05 14:09:00

also think the website has free postage for over $50 orders at the moment check it out, google it

chonnni - 2010-06-05 14:09:00

yay Im so glad I refound this thread. :) Im so broke right now....

brusselsprout - 2010-06-05 19:29:00

hi all i know ive been slak but ive just come home from a lovely holiday in the sunshine coast and it wouldn't of happened if it wern't for my budgetting.
Being able to go away without having to worry about'' can we do this or can we do that'' is a first for us and all done to before hand planning.
Hope everyone is well and keeping warm it was a huge shock to me after having 27 degree days to get off the plane and put my Merino/possum jersey back on boo hoo.
Mind you sitting by the fire nice and cosy theres no better thing, really is there

kob - 2010-06-18 11:42:00

Forgot through selling up stuff on here I finally got my 1000 sales certificate wahoo that happened just before i went away, great for the cv

kob - 2010-06-18 11:42:00

This message was deleted.

tehenga288 - 2010-06-18 16:51:00

you guys are so blessed to be able to access these kinds of stores - mind you tho have been able to pick up some good specials at the supermarkets of late - timed just right lol when shopping...

timetable - 2010-06-18 18:48:00

This message was deleted.

pericles - 2010-06-21 12:41:00

well yesterday I walked into our supermarket and for 38 bucks I got 2 pkts of chicken wings marinated $10 each reduced from $24 they will do two meals each pack, I got a lamb chunk meal reduced from $12 to $7 1 good curry with prob enough left over for a pie or a on toast meal, 1 pack of 2 marinated pork shoulder chops $5 reduced from $12 , and one pack of lamb snitchel reduced to $6 from $12 prob enough for a meal plus a good lunch NOW these dont expire till 24th of June so no idea why they were reduced but im not complain for $38 i got about 8 meals thats $4.75 per meal for two adults ( $2.35 each)and a few mummy packs in there as well id say, im liking it

kob - 2010-06-21 14:59:00

well ive had a great freezer tidy up this morning, the dog benifitted from 1 frankfurter & 1 small amount of roast mutton that was cooked but looked abit dry.So all in all a great effort.
My pudds collection is still going im not wasting anything in the fruit bowl, when it looks a little shabby peel it , dice it and add abit of sugar and microwave it, by now you should all have your glad bags ready in the freezer with your crumble mix if not get to it, into a loaf tin the fruit goes sprinklw with crumble and cook cut & freeze, when those kids come to stay or uninvited guests its great to have things prepared.Ive got 3 glad bags ready 1 with cut up rhurbarb sponge, 1 with apple crumble, & 1 with apricot shortcake, so great guns blazing it only takes a moment to make a custard to pour over the top, im still throwing my crusts into a bag and everynow and then i put them through the blender and whalla you have frozen breadcrumbs ready for you to use when you ned them. I must have about 20 marg containers of soup all lined up for lunches all great flavours so winter is shaping up and with all my great meat specials the freezer is healthy as

kob - 2010-06-23 15:19:00

what an awesome thread this is, i was having a look to see what is what on this great thread and boy this is so amusing, i have written alot of the recipes in my book so i wont lose them,& i will be on this thread more often & thanks to you all that have put something on this thread Thanks Everyone

mber2 - 2010-06-23 19:00:00

Well I was beginning to get "reduced to clear" blues. Several times I had had a wee scan and seen nothing, or the reduced to clear sticker was only minimally different and still expensive. Then yesterday I hit the Jackpot lol. I got the best quality mince, 900gms packs from being on special at $9 marked down to $5.60, 900gms of mince is 2 x dinners for us - making it $2.80 per meal for 4. Rolled Pork shoulder roast $$8.90 (was $14.80) Beef stirfry $7.10 (was $11.83) for an easy meal. Chicken snitzel for 2 $2.97 (was $4.95) Premium diced beef for a casserole large pack $6.80 (was $11.33).

But my best buy for the kids was romano pizzas from the chiller,... $1.80 each (Normally $4.95 - Which I would never pay). So I brought all 7. Now I have a stock in the freezer to pull out when the girls have unexpected mates over.

Also the girls favourite Sunsilk shampoo, weekly special was 4.99 for the large bottle (instead of $7.99 - which I don't think I have ever paid lol)

The mince is great as the double portion packs means I will cook 2 of whatever.... Nacho mince, lasagne, cottage pies....and put the 2nd meal in the freezer. Yesterday I impressed work colleagues as we were driving home late from being out of town, about 4.45 (we were still an hour away) my colleague mentioned dinner and I told her mine had already been cooking for 15 mins.... I had put a lasagne in the oven in the morning and set the automatic timer, the kids just helped themselves before I got home ....and it was delcious when I walked in the door ravenous and just helped myself.

Have a great day all.

toadfish - 2010-06-24 06:26:00

Those markdowns at New World certainly aren't what they used to be

crails - 2010-06-25 08:14:00

Nothing feels better than A CLEANING to dolist, and to ACTUALLY ACHIEVE it, my kitchen has needed a serveer kick in the pants for a long time and I can honestly say now that it is glistening, well the walls and outside of cupboards are (shhh dont peek inside)its amazing the amount of fat and grime that gets into corners, no longer bannish dirt & grime from my kitchen

kob - 2010-06-25 10:19:00

wow, you guys- what an awesome thread- I've just been glued to it for an hour! Kob, and toadfish you two are great!
I worked in a daycare for years, cooking for 30 odd kiddies- and when there I halved the power and food bill- here's a couple of tips I found-
Sausage casserole- fry up some sausages, onions and a little oil in a pan, add some vegies (in season so they are cheaper), make a gravy, add some grated apple. Serve on a bed of rice. Next day, it's great served up as leftovers on mashed spud, in jacket potatoes, in bread cases, into pastry, on toast or with pasta! Saves on cooking again, can be drawn out a few days, and was cheap to start with!
My power bill was huge last month- seriously bad because I was sick, I just chucked clothes in the drier- so after I've had a serious fit from fright, I'm budgeting big time- and back on track! I'm thinking of advertising in the paper to swap cakes etc for firewood, has anyone joined like a barter co-op, and has it worked for you? Any advice or tips you have to make it work?
Oh- I also 'upped' our car payments- so cant afford to- but worked out by putting payments up $25 a week, it's going to knock something like $900 in interest, plus our car will be paid off 7 months sooner :-)

sikofstuf - 2010-06-28 19:58:00

Welcome Sikofstuf. I saw your cakes and they are fabulous... if you were in Auckland I would so be a customer of yours.

Our power bill hit an all time high last month as well.... $260 just about fell over. My family are getting sick of me.... I am the "Turn the light off" police. Last Month I brought a 2nd A Frame airer as 1 just doesn't cut it for a family of 4. I tidied up the hot water cupboard so there is a space for a small basket on the top of the cylinder.... I have this mini washing basket that fits the space great and use that to "Finish" off the undies socks etc. I haven't used the drier since. I checked the "are you with the cheapest provider" website and I was, so just need to be vigilant and see if it makes a difference.

Have brought some fabulous specials recently, when chicken legs were $4.99 kilo at New World it meant 4 big fat ones worked out about $5.50 a pack. The freezer is chocca at the moment so I am avoiding all shops... lol.

My hint of the week... Coleslaw.... Cabbages are really cheap at the moment and last for ages.

Off now to make homemade Pea & Ham (well Bacon) soup for tea... got a big pack of bacon bones ("reduced to clear" of course ) for $4, so that with a Kings Pea & Ham mix and plenty of vegies is dinner tonight.... nom nom nom.

Edited by toadfish at 5:37 am, Tue 29 Jun

toadfish - 2010-06-29 05:36:00

What a productive morning... a huge pot of delicious soup simmering and I even managed to list another 6 items that were sitting next to the computer.... 5 to go. Had another big sort out...
I keep a banana box in my wardrobe and put all the things for trademe in it then I have a huge blitz take all the photos in one go and then load as & when I have time... kind of like a garage sale without the hassle of people coming to your house and trying to beat you down lol.

toadfish - 2010-06-29 06:59:00

Grand idea Toady I have a suitcase, its amazing on listing day whats sitting in there, half of course gets put back because you just nver know when you might need it.
Having a relaxing morning this morning should be doing a whole heap of things but ive got a rotten headcold and its bowled me, lucky the flu injection stopped it from going furthur, or id be a gonna im sure as hens have eggs.
Anyway back to being productive after work this avo, hubby wants a choccy cake, bye all

kob - 2010-06-29 10:29:00

hehe thanks toadfish! lol- this thread is awesome! I just bought some chuck steak- it was a huge pkt, $16 originally marked down to $8=, but put half in, the other half went in the freezer; (they mark down meat every morning at our supermarket between 9-10am), so I put half in the crock pot, a huge bag of frozen veg (also on special for $1.99 for supermarket) a dented tin of cream of mushroom soup, about 1/2 cup of brown rice, some onion and spud, and it's been slowly cooking all day- there's enough for tea on pasta, some for hubby's lunch tomorrow, and some to have on toast another night when I'm pushed for time (after it's been frozen as leftovers) So it has roughly cost about $13 for 2 main meals and a lunch- I dont think that's too bad? I'm trying the $21 challenge thing on the website you guys suggested- seems to be working so far!!!Tomorrow nights the same- bought a half price whole chicken, will do for roast tomorrow night, then the leftover will go as a soup!
We dont have water rates where we are- but I was reading in a book the other day that you can put a brick in the cistern of your toilet, and it can cut your water bill down? And a can or two in you fire helps keep the heat up in it? Pass- hehe, dont know if they work- but worth a try maybe? Just wanted to say again- this thread is great! :o)

sikofstuf - 2010-06-30 16:47:00

tehenga288 wrote:

I am so glad that 'reduced to clear' has opened in West Ak .

Have to say the novelty is wearing off. Same stuff most of the time and a limited range too. Ok if you go through a lot of junk food.......

lythande1 - 2010-06-30 18:43:00

I agree Lythande1, you have to be really careful you don't get sucked into all the junk.... Think I told you my theory... if its not something I normally buy, or replace something I normally buy... or can be made into a main meal... I don't buy it.

Last night made a double mix of delicious Meatballs in Red Sauce off the trade me cooks site. (Thanks to 245Sams reccommendations)

$5.60 Mince (reduced) $2 Sausagemeat (reduced) Sauce $3 (special).

So 2 large meals for 4 adult eaters (and a supper for hubby last night as it made wayyy too much) for $6.00 per meal (allow 70c for extras) not bad eh! and they taste delicious. We are going to have it tonight on Spaghetti..... and one for the freezer.

Edited by toadfish at 6:57 am, Thu 1 Jul

toadfish - 2010-07-01 06:50:00

MEATBALLS IN RED SAUCE.
Sauce: 2 tbsp butter, 1 small onion (finely chopped), 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1 thin slice lemon, 1 cup each of tomato sauce & water. Fry the onion in the butter until tender. Add the remaining ingredients & bring the sauce to the boil.

Meat Balls: 1&1/2 cups soft breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup milk, 450g-500g mince, 225g-250g sausagemeat, 1 small onion (chopped), salt & pepper, 1 egg (lightly beaten). Soak the breadcrumbs in the milk until all the milk is absorbed. Blend the mince & sausagemeat. Add the onion, salt & pepper, then the egg & soaked breadcrumbs. Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions & place them in a roasting dish. Pour the sauce carefully over & around the meatball portions. Bake, uncovered, at 180°C for 1 hour. Turn the balls after 1/2 hour & check the sauce level - sprinkle in a little water if necessary. These freeze well too.

NOTE

What i did because I was making a double mix and made 54 meatballs... (I only know that as it was 9 rows of 6 and barely fitted in my big roasting dish)

I cooked the meatballs on a large roasting dish, made the sauce sperately in a fry pan... simmered the sauce the whole time the meatballs were cooking.... then divided the meatballs into 2 dishes and poured the sauce over the top of each... tonight I will just microwave to heat up while the spaghetti is cooking.

Think I will try it 245Sams way next time... do one batch...bigger meat balls and cook it in the sauce.

But it looks delicous they way I have done it.

toadfish - 2010-07-01 06:56:00

Stopped into the RTC shop as I had to drop someone off at the airport. Got 3 bags of chopped dried Apricots (89c 200gm bag) and 3 x Bags of mini packs of pretzels (for lunch boxs) $3. 5 x Lite Mexican Salsa Tuna (my daughter loves these for lunch) my treat (broke my rule - so shoot me it was only $2) was 4 x delicous Nice and natural nut bars (exp 2011) for $2. These full of nuts ones are usually well over $2 each. 2 x 1 litres of McCoys fruit Juice for $2. Think I may pop back in for more apricots and juice when I pick up the same person from the airport as they were particulary good value.

I have just put an Apricot loaf in the oven, its a mixture of a couple of recipes... so I have called it "Toadies Budget Apricot Loaf"

Edited by toadfish at 1:00 pm, Sun 4 Jul

toadfish - 2010-07-04 13:00:00

Toadies Budget Apricot Loaf - No eggs no fat.

200gms of chopped apricots (or 1 cup) (89c from RTC)
1/2 cup Sultanas
3/4 Cup sugar
1 cup Weetbix crumbs.. tightly packed
(saved from the bottom of the weetbix pack and stored in airtight container till needed)
1 & 1/2 cups of trim milk.

Mix all these ingreidiants together and stand for a minimum of 1 hour, overnight is good as well.

Then mix in 1 & 1/2 cups of self raising flour.
(I used plain flour plus 3 tspd baking powder)

Baking at 180 for 1 hour...

Will let you know how it tastes.

Just wanted to have something nice in the cupboards with it being school holidays.

toadfish - 2010-07-04 13:05:00

was just wondering if someone could give me the Oven cleaning recipie? i read it a while ago but can't seem to find it again. Thanks!

nick_02 - 2010-07-04 13:07:00

This one nick_02?? I copied and pasted it from either this thread or the "we don't buy it cos we make it" thread.

OVEN CLEANER
I was given this a few years ago and it seems to work well. 3 TBSP Baking Soda, 1 TBSP Vinegar, 1 CUp Water. Mix together and wipe over a cold oven. Heat oven to 200c and leave to cool. Wash with soapy water.

twinsforus - 2010-07-04 15:49:00

nom nom nom....

Think you could replace the apricots & sultanas with any dried fruit... delicious.

toadfish - 2010-07-04 16:19:00

yup that one. thanks heaps

nick_02 - 2010-07-04 16:33:00

This message was deleted.

tehenga288 - 2010-07-04 22:01:00

If the Apricots are best before April 2010, I wonder how long they would be OK for... my guess is because they are dried and in an airtight bag, well over a year past would be OK, as they are perfect now..... What do you think. The other option is to throw them in the freezer to "stop" the ageing process, but then you would have to use them all in one go as they would be a little... say wet when defrosted and certainly wouldn't keep, unless you free flow froze them and grabbed a handful when needed. Apricots are a real favourite in this house and sad as it may seem... 89c per pack makes me want to hoard some lol.

Edited by toadfish at 6:52 am, Mon 5 Jul

toadfish - 2010-07-05 06:52:00

Please admit me im a apricot hoarder LOL how would that sound at food anonimous.......stock up Toady im sure they are fine, best before is only there recomendation of when the product is best eaten, use by is the one you have to watch that means item will no longer be perishable by that date, but who listens to these people anyway.........oteherwise those shops your all buying from would be out of business

kob - 2010-07-05 07:53:00

Ok... I am sure you can help me KOB..... Foodtown sells Lamb bone piece packs really really cheaply ($1.99 per kg), I have always avoided them as they are more fat than anything... but in the middle of all the packs was this huge 1.5Kg pack of shoulder chops (about 6 huge meaty ones)... for $2.95... not even reduced. Couldn't resist it. Now they are slighly fattier than I would normally chose... not too bad but I don't like lamb fat at all in my casserole.... don't like the way it feels in my mouth... I normally put lean shoulder chops in the crockpot with carrots, onions, barley & a maggi mix.

I think with these I want to cook them.... skim them and then use them... but I am not sure of the procedure and when to add things.

Do I slow cook them with carrots & onions with plenty of water.... let it go cold take off the fat... then add the barley and packet mix and cook for another few hours??...

I think if I was to add it all at the beginning the barley would absorb the fat, and it wouldn't sit on top as there wouldn't be much liquid... do you know what i mean???

Any help from anyone greatly appreciated.

Edited by toadfish at 6:44 am, Sat 10 Jul

toadfish - 2010-07-10 06:41:00

Tip for the week....

Coleslaw.... cabbages & carrots are really cheap at the moment... our family are having coleslaw most nights.... one cabbage and a kilo of carrots lasts about a week!

One of our favourite meals is crumbed chicken, coleslaw, roast potatoes & beetroot.

toadfish - 2010-07-10 06:42:00

Today is going to be great... tried to think of a cool day to have with my teenage girls without breaking the bank.

I had a voucher for a spa treatment given to me when i left my old job, they have let me split it 3 ways... so we are all going to get our eyelashes tinted & brows shaped (I just need to top it up $25) Then we are going to get 2 new release DvD's - $8 (I have a 2 for 1 voucher) Much cheaper than the movies.
Then instead of going out to lunch we are going to have our favourite treat supermarket lunch.. Hot Chicken, Rolls, Coleslaw, S&V chips (about $18) So the whole day for about $50....

If we had gone to the movies, out to lunch & been pampered all at full price it would have been at least $210.... So champagne life on beer Budget....

The Sun is shining... really looking forward to my day.

Edited by toadfish at 7:20 am, Wed 14 Jul

toadfish - 2010-07-14 07:19:00

This message was deleted.

marina_may - 2010-07-15 10:23:00

This is an awesome thread! I'm not quite dedicated enough to make cleaning stuff from scratch but I do make my own kitchen spray out of a few squirts of dishwashing detergent and water in a spray bottle. It does just as good a job as spray n wipe for practically nothing. If i have only a couple of dishes to wash i just spray them and wash in the sink - saves dishwashing liquid. Also GREAT for a carpet stain/spill remover. Spray quite a lot on and pat firmly with a towel - then repeat until stain is gone. I have got everything out of my carpet with this even when the expensive carpet stain removers havent worked. Keep up the good budgeting tips!

rebekahj - 2010-07-16 01:10:00

This message was deleted.

hard_drive - 2010-07-16 05:52:00

This message was deleted.

hard_drive - 2010-07-16 05:52:00

This message was deleted.

simony1 - 2010-07-16 19:05:00

We went to the Avondale Fleamarket this morning, I couldn't believe how cheap all the produce was. Washed potatoes .50c kg Royal Gala Apples and Granny Smith Apples no more than $1.50kg Bonita Bananas $1.80kg Golden and Green Kiwifruit .99kg Tomatoes $4kg. The stalls went on forever and they had everything. Popped into Foodtown this afternoon and the price difference Apples $3.87kg and they were bruised and had fruitflies buzzing around, Tomatoes $11.95kg and they were overripe Bananas that were only good for baking $2.87kg. I know where i'll be spending my dollars from know on when it comes to fruit and veg

crails - 2010-07-18 20:56:00

I drove past the Panmure market the other day... and thought I must check it out for fruit & Veg... Thanks for the reminder.

Well budgeting has hit me full force again... I am aiming not to spend anything till next Monday... Did a big shop yesterday (No fruit & veg or meat). The only thing I may need is some fruit later on in the week, even then I may ask the elderly neighbour next door about all those oranges on her tree... she normally tells us to help ourselves.

I have decided to start Miss 16's orthondontic work... was going to wait till Miss 17 (nearly 18) had finished but think with some careful planning I can manage a 7 month cross over period... So will need to think smartly about things...

My tip this week is to have a handy husband. Our sandwich press broke with a bang and lots of sparks. Hubby thinks it's because we didn't unwind the cord fully when we used it so it had a kink. Well he opened it up, cut the damaged cord section out.. reattached it and its as good as new. Cost of a new sandwich press ... NIL.

Also keep receipts.. our vacuum was brought Jan 2009 and the flexy handle broke. The first time within a year and they couriered us out a replacement for nothing.. then again a week ago... they directed me to an appliance place to purchase a new part.. I said what about the warrantee.. and she asked the details from my receipt and said Ok we will courier one out to you Free of charge again. (Must say I am unhappy with the Kambrook - would never buy that brand again although their after sales service has been good, just wish I didn't need it so often...)

Edited by toadfish at 9:34 pm, Sun 18 Jul

toadfish - 2010-07-18 21:20:00

wow amazing thread, thanks all.

http://www.blokeswhobake.co.nz/gidday/ try this site for recipes that are cheap and easy, its called blokes who bake so its super easy! They recipes like wheetbix slice are cheap and make a lot, good for cheap snacks

_free_rider_ - 2010-07-19 08:58:00

http://www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalrecipelist.htm budgeting site free

_free_rider_ - 2010-07-19 09:21:00

http://frugalkiwi.co.nz/ last one :) cant help it now, caught the frugal bug

_free_rider_ - 2010-07-19 09:32:00

Well I made the decision not to shop until next week... I knew I had to do a vege shop (c/w milk & potatoes), but luckily this has been off set by a couple of small trades selling. So I am only $13 down this week(Not bad when I spent $35 at the Fruit & Veg shop). So will keep at it... It really is like a game...

Now I am off to look at those links.. thanks for posting them.

toadfish - 2010-07-22 06:47:00

well im back on the cooking wagon , number 1 son came home for the weekend and cleaned me out of all my mummy packs and vertually anything that resembled food of any kind, (flatters) so back on the restock BUT NW did have great meat specials again for $45 i got 3 kg of of pork slices, 20 loin chops, and 35 marinated chicken wings so thats 7 meals so $3.50 per person, and ive got to start the mummy packs again....even made two chocolate cakes and asked which one he wanted he almost got a ruler out to see which one bigger both were 20 cm pans one a round 1 a square, the square won haha, back to the grindstone, I love it though

kob - 2010-07-22 15:08:00

Spent $15.50 at Pak n Save couple of weekends ago got 2.5kg flour, 1.5 kg sugar, 1 kg castor sugar, 3 pkt muesli bars, pkt coffee for filter machine, pkt rice wheels, 10 pkt little chips, box of le snack was so rapt. Packaging was damaged and boxes squashed. Also sometimes the yoghurt pkts get split up got 8 yoghurts for $2.50. We are really on a tight budget till payday next week so every little bargain gets used up.

supercook - 2010-07-22 16:51:00

Hi which pak n save do you go to? Different supermarkets seem to have different policy regarding mark downs - suppose it just depends what gets damaged during the day etc. Does anyone have any fav supermarkets for specials?

angela137 - 2010-07-22 17:22:00

Just been to the Frugal Kiwi site and they say they have a little something waiting for the person that mentioned it on here. Thinl thats you Free Rider, let us know what you get.

toadfish - 2010-07-24 06:38:00

Must share this with you... Being the power police has worked this month. After having a shock at my last power bill ($265) I have turned into the power police... Well this months arrived and it was only $225... still high.... but a whopping saving of $35... thats better in my pocket.

On the bad side... the not spending this week... has not worked... well not completely... At least I can claim to have severely reduced my spending.... So will keep in that vein till monday after next (2/8).
I have about $60... so lets hope a few more wee trades sell to suppliment it.

toadfish - 2010-07-24 06:47:00