The member deleted this message.

toadfish - 2014-01-27 10:12:00

toadfish wrote:

My goal today is to make a decision on some Tupperware and list what I don't want.

Done!

Hogget is slow cooking and I have some neck chops (not something I would normally buy) covered in the oven slow cooking with some water, salt and onions. In a few hours I will removed the chops and onions and place the liquid in a jug, let cool to room temperature and pop in the fridge overnight. Then tomorrow I will put the crockpot on with the chops and onions and add some carrots and barley with the liquid (Fat lifted off and believe me its quite a bit) and some gravy powder.... one of my favourite crockpot meals - then when I come home - just need to boil the peas and broccoli..... long winded but easy peasy and I am using up those neck chops - hate waste!

Edited by toadfish at 2:13 pm, Mon 27 Jan

toadfish - 2014-01-27 14:11:00

my old fave is neck chops, my mum used to make the stew with carrots/onions/curry powder/sultanas...I love it

motorbo - 2014-01-27 15:38:00

Finally did a big stock up shop - 8th Feb, first one since 17th December and only spent $375 - although in saying that only got about 4 meals of meat as the freezer is still quite chocca. Will keep an eye out for some good meat specials and buy in bulk when I see them. All this time thought we have been buying fresh fruit, vegetables, milk and bread. Did a couple of very small shops for essentials.

Bit of a game really. lol

toadfish - 2014-02-11 07:07:00

I really love my "envelope system". Every pay I get out cash and divvy it up into different envelopes: power, car rego, insurance, etc. Then when the bill arrives I have enough money ready and waiting. Takes the pressure off now we're down to one wage.

soph001 - 2014-02-11 18:05:00

soph001 wrote:

I really love my "envelope system". Every pay I get out cash and divvy it up into different envelopes: power, car rego, insurance, etc. Then when the bill arrives I have enough money ready and waiting. Takes the pressure off now we're down to one wage.

maybe seller used to allow pick-ups.

pickles7 - 2014-02-11 18:28:00

pickles7 wrote:

maybe seller used to allow pick-ups.

Huh? I was just trying to share my own budget advice in a thread that I have followed for some time now.

soph001 - 2014-02-12 21:01:00

haven't been in here for a long time. have a smile on my face when i read your envelope system soph001. i have been doing this for many years, many years ago - slightly different than you but what a great idea.

tich50 - 2014-02-12 21:56:00

toadfish, wow, you're such an inspiration but i just havent got your zest and motivation to plan so smart when it comes to budgeting. so i love reading your posts and some of what you do helps me get on to do things smarter around my home. many thanx

tich50 - 2014-02-12 22:02:00

well this year i'm starting early as well. went to pakandsave and got myself a christmas club card. putting $50 on it every fortnight (debit order) from feb until october = $1000. that will go towards my groceries for december.

i will also purchase $20 worth of non perishables (on special items only)every month and store in plastic containers in garage. e.g toothpaste, hair products, serviettes, foil, cleaning products, tinned items sauces, etc. by december i hope to have more cash on hand.

tich50 - 2014-02-12 22:07:00

tich50 wrote:

well this year i'm starting early as well. went to pakandsave and got myself a christmas club card. putting $50 on it every fortnight (debit order) from feb until october = $1000. that will go towards my groceries for december.

i will also purchase $20 worth of non perishables (on special items only)every month and store in plastic containers in garage. e.g toothpaste, hair products, serviettes, foil, cleaning products, tinned items sauces, etc. by december i hope to have more cash on hand.

Good for you - I have to admit "playing the game" is habit now. I like to travel and we moved into our "forever" home 2 years ago which has needed some work. Anything I don't spend on groceries go towards those 2 things. I use my $670 at xmas to buy spares of all the non perishables... so if you are doing this during the year you will probably have a 2 trolley shop and some left on your card to last you for bits and pieces..... mmmm you have me thinking..... mine has been $50 per week for 3 years now - might make it $60 to keep up with price rises.

Edited by toadfish at 6:58 am, Thu 13 Feb

toadfish - 2014-02-13 06:48:00

Having a bit of a stress what shall I do moment - fridge is playing up - its 12 years old - not sure whether to repair or replace. On the advice of google I gave it a good defrost yesterday - came home from work last night - gave it a thorough clean and turned it on and now have my fingers firmly crossed. seemed ok this morning.

The great bit for budgeting though was hubby was late home - found I was still cleaning the fridge and offered to pick up takeaways.
I had 3 rashers of bacon and some RTC Baps in the freezer ($1.64 for 6)- we had BLT's for under $3.00 for both of us.

I am doing the simple savings "no spend February" to catch up on a few things so am trying hard not to spend on "avoidable" extras.
In saying that I am off to dinner with good friends tomorrow night - not going to stop living!

Edited by toadfish at 6:55 am, Thu 13 Feb

toadfish - 2014-02-13 06:54:00

toadfish wrote:

Having a bit of a stress what shall I do moment - fridge is playing up - its 12 years old - not sure whether to repair or replace. On the advice of google I gave it a good defrost yesterday - came home from work last night - gave it a thorough clean and turned it on and now have my fingers firmly crossed. seemed ok this morning.

We had a similar stress last March - fridge was leaking, and did the torch inside the fridge in the dark and shone thru all the gaps in the seal - fridge was bought 2nd hand 2 years prior (i think it was as old as me) and we were so so very very spoilt by our wedding guests with cash - had enough to buy a brand spanking new one, and fill it with food!

kay34 - 2014-02-13 18:28:00

Has anyone got some good tips on saving for school fees. This year is a shocker, One child started college, one started intermediate and one started in seniors and they all have camps this year which adds up to $550.00 then school fees on top. I got a big fright I had no idea how much this year would be in school fees. Then books and uniforms

Edited by fatboy6 at 7:28 pm, Sun 2 Mar

fatboy6 - 2014-03-02 19:27:00

Probably won't help you this year but I use to have AP's going to intermediate and high schools and this made a Hugh difference for me. Hope this helps. Everything comes at once doesn't?

ballito - 2014-03-02 19:37:00

fatboy6 wrote:

Has anyone got some good tips on saving for school fees. This year is a shocker, One child started college, one started intermediate and one started in seniors and they all have camps this year which adds up to $550.00 then school fees on top. I got a big fright I had no idea how much this year would be in school fees. Then books and uniforms

Have a chat to the schools, when I was on the board as long as the parents got in touch with the school they were very comfortable with them paying it off through the year. Remember if you pay by the 31st March you will get 1/3 of it back by claiming it back through the IRD. I used to pay on my credit card 31st March - put the claim in immediately and sometimes I got my refund before the credit card was due.

http://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax-individual/tax-credits/dch
-taxcredits/

toadfish - 2014-03-02 20:46:00

toadfish wrote:

Have a chat to the schools, when I was on the board as long as the parents got in touch with the school they were very comfortable with them paying it off through the year. Remember if you pay by the 31st March you will get 1/3 of it back by claiming it back through the IRD. I used to pay on my credit card 31st March - put the claim in immediately and sometimes I got my refund before the credit card was due.

http://www.ird.govt.nz/income-tax-individual/tax-credits/dch
-taxcredits/

WOW, thanks, I never even clicked you could claim back the donation fees back! thank you!!

sikofstuf - 2014-03-02 22:18:00

When veges are cheap, I have a day set aside where I slice them all up with the mandolin, par boil and throw into ice water.
All the old favourites, like carrots, potato, kumara, celery, onion, chopped silverbeet etc.
I drain them and pack plastic containers full so they can be frozen into blocks of veges ready for soups, stews or casseroles. I've got a large square container in my freezer full of blocks stacked into it.
I just take 1 or 2 out and throw it in when I need them

psychicxpress - 2014-03-02 22:27:00

Thanks the the ird info but I am paying them slowly $30. a week its going to take a while. Dropped my youngest at kindy and the kindy bill $75. It's not so bad I took that money from the car account for kindy. I have set up an account for kindy fees now which I will increase once school fees are paid so I have the money for next years

fatboy6 - 2014-03-03 13:11:00

Can someone please let me know what "page" the recipe for homemade laundry powder is.Kob has posted a liquid one on page 1 using lux flakes but i'd like a powdered one as I can get 1 kilo of borax for $4.60 throu work and i went to find recipe and do you think i can?.........

Edited by whiskey13 at 2:44 pm, Wed 12 Mar

whiskey13 - 2014-03-12 14:40:00

Bump

zupps - 2014-03-18 23:19:00

soph001 wrote:

Every pay I get out cash and divvy it up into different envelopes: power, car rego, insurance, etc. Then when the bill arrives I have enough money ready and waiting..

I pay them the day the pay is in the bank.
I know more or less what they all are, so pay a set amount - means I end up with a bit of credit on them but hey, once it's built up enough, I can pay less then and have some spare money left over.
The rates are paid monthly, I round that up and it's a month ahead....so it's always in credit. No worries about their due dates or penalties, no worries about the quarterly bill arriving.
I do this fortnightly, so all bills are slightly in credit . 1)Rates, insurances, mortgage
2)Power, phone/net, water, mortgage

lythande1 - 2014-03-19 06:30:00

toadfish wrote:

Having a bit of a stress what shall I do moment - fridge is playing up - its 12 years old - not sure whether to repair or replace.

My I don't know how old fridge played up. It was a Frigidaire, so that gives you an idea of age.
I know it was time for parts, and that could have been tricky.
So I bought another from Trademe, $50.
More or less the same fridge, except this one is completely frost free so a tiny bit newer......going well, very happy with it.
And didn't cost much.
If it lasts 10 years like the last one did, I'm still doing well.
Hell, if it lasts 5 years thats OK.

Edited by lythande1 at 6:33 am, Wed 19 Mar

lythande1 - 2014-03-19 06:33:00

whiskey13 wrote:

Can someone please let me know what "page" the recipe for homemade laundry powder is.Kob has posted a liquid one on page 1 using lux flakes but i'd like a powdered one as I can get 1 kilo of borax for $4.60 throu work and i went to find recipe and do you think i can?.........

Hi whiskey I don't remember posting a powdered one but I will have a look and see if I can find one for you in my files

kob - 2014-03-20 06:05:00

Heres a radom tip a friend gave me for long trips when everyone wants an ice cream and you have a bigger family, take ice cream cones and a spoon with you and stop at a dairy/foursquare on the way and grab a 2ltr of ice cream and everyone gets a big ice cream :) I did this and the kids thought it was fab

fatboy6 - 2014-03-22 16:42:00

fatboy6 wrote:

Heres a radom tip a friend gave me for long trips when everyone wants an ice cream and you have a bigger family, take ice cream cones and a spoon with you and stop at a dairy/foursquare on the way and grab a 2ltr of ice cream and everyone gets a big ice cream :) I did this and the kids thought it was fab

Great idea

kob - 2014-03-22 20:56:00

whiskey13 and kob, there is a recipe for homemade laundry powder, using borax, at:-

http://www.therural.co.nz/country-living/home-made-laundry-d
etergent-recipe

I know the link says "detergent" - there's actually a recipe there for both a laundry powder and a laundry detergent - both use borax.

Hope that helps. :-))

Edited by 245sam at 9:10 pm, Sat 22 Mar

245sam - 2014-03-22 21:09:00

owl32 wrote:

Dishwasher powder, 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup citric acid. Mix together. White vinegar for rinse aid.

Laundry powder, 1 cup powdered oxygen bleach, 2 cups grated laundry soap or,lux flakes, 1cup borax, 1cup washing soda, 1 cup baking soda. 2 tablespoons per wash.

Shampoo and conditioner, mix 2 teaspoons baking soda with enough water to,make a runnyish paste, wash through hair. Rinse with apple cider vinegar, smell goes away .

Body odour in clothing armpits, spray with white vinegar and leave for 10 mins minimum.

Also I buy the washing soda from tm members, it's a higher grade, is,a powder and easier to,deal with. I would think more effective.

Just found this soap powder from owl32

Edited by fatboy6 at 8:04 am, Sun 23 Mar

fatboy6 - 2014-03-23 08:04:00

With regards to dishwasher - I have just purchased 440 (over a years supply) Finish Powerball tablets for $99 off groupon. Still more expensive than the powder but I find the result so much better than the powder.
http://www.grouponnz.co.nz/deals/national-deal/gg-groupon-go
ods-int-10/718178640?context=sold-out&treatment=similar-
category&bcsp=AEuvpmC6zrvN4uhhRAbOVA
When I bulk purchase like that it reduces my monthly shop over the year.....
Need to go back to Why Not - my work colleague got some fabulous smoked chicken breast for $2.99. Just need to be focused and have will power though when you enter that place, otherwise you come out with lots of treats you wouldn't have normally brought - then that's not saving money lol

toadfish - 2014-04-05 06:26:00

toadfish wrote:

Having a bit of a stress what shall I do moment - fridge is playing up - its 12 years old - not sure whether to repair or replace. On the advice of google I gave it a good defrost yesterday - came home from work last night - gave it a thorough clean and turned it on and now have my fingers firmly crossed. seemed ok this morning.

Still working fine 2 months later - Googling saved me $100's of dollars - seemed my condenser was frozen over.,,,, Fingers crossed it lasts

Edited by toadfish at 6:29 am, Sat 5 Apr

toadfish - 2014-04-05 06:28:00

fatboy6 wrote:

Heres a radom tip a friend gave me for long trips when everyone wants an ice cream and you have a bigger family, take ice cream cones and a spoon with you and stop at a dairy/foursquare on the way and grab a 2ltr of ice cream and everyone gets a big ice cream :) I did this and the kids thought it was fab

Great idea - even better stop at a supermarket - they seem to be everywhere now a days - I have a hatred of dairy's and their prices. In my last place there was no need to ever go to one as I had a supermarket that was just as close. In my new place the supermarket is another 10 mins drive away - I once brought butter at the gas station (Next to the dairy - still couldn't buy from a dairy) I paid about $6 for it but was incredibly time poor that day so it brought me another half an hour for about $2.50 lol.

toadfish - 2014-04-05 06:33:00

I was lucky the place I stopped each way had a 4square and was only $4 for the ice cream on special :)

fatboy6 - 2014-04-05 20:13:00

We used to make Mcdonalds drive through for an ice cream the !last stop on a famito dayt, the kids would always know this and it me as great cause it saved us money on buying desserts out at cafes or restaurants but it especially stopped their constant nagging .

If we could we added a flake if not it was just a plain old 50c ice cream, even the dog got one occasionally i just asked for it in a sundae container.

Great memories

kob - 2014-04-05 21:56:00

soph001 wrote:

I really love my "envelope system". Every pay I get out cash and divvy it up into different envelopes: power, car rego, insurance, etc. Then when the bill arrives I have enough money ready and waiting. Takes the pressure off now we're down to one wage.

a neighbour has done this all her life (she has jars) and she is about 80 now...has never been in debt in her life and still has her jars in the cupboard and splits her money into them all. only deals in cash.

usualsuspect - 2014-04-05 23:23:00

This message was deleted.

elliehen - 2014-04-06 00:14:00

I have a little turmoil going on. I have almost finished second lot of school fees only the donation to go. I am happy to pay. The office lady said you dont have to pay and that there are lots of very very welthy people that don't pay it and people like you (meaning me) who struggle but always pay it. She is suggesting I don't pay it but I am not sure I could handle the stupid guilt I would get from not paying $50. Its lots less than the college one that is $150

fatboy6 - 2014-04-09 11:34:00

if you don't pay they will probably exclude your daughter from some activities

fatboy6 wrote:

I have a little turmoil going on. I have almost finished second lot of school fees only the donation to go. I am happy to pay. The office lady said you dont have to pay and that there are lots of very very welthy people that don't pay it and people like you (meaning me) who struggle but always pay it. She is suggesting I don't pay it but I am not sure I could handle the stupid guilt I would get from not paying $50. Its lots less than the college one that is $150

motorbo - 2014-04-09 11:44:00

I am happy to pay, office lady was suggesting I don't.. :) I am paying them over the next two weeks then increase what I am paying college still have $300 left to pay there.

fatboy6 - 2014-04-09 12:09:00

Made Annabel Langbeins "Birdseed Bar" last night, with dregs of cereal etc in the pantry - a huge hit with my hubby, has now decided i dont ever need to buy biscuits again, and too easy to make!!!

kay34 - 2014-05-14 21:13:00

kay34 wrote:

Made Annabel Langbeins "Birdseed Bar" last night, with dregs of cereal etc in the pantry - a huge hit with my hubby, has now decided i dont ever need to buy biscuits again, and too easy to make!!!

Fantastic.
We just remembered years ago I used to make "Mouse Traps"
I took frozen bread - spread it with vegemite - cut while still semi frozen so it didn't squish on cutting - put a little and I mean a little (about 6 or 7 strands) grated cheese on it and dry baked it. It was a very popular healthy snack - must make some more tonight,

toadfish - 2014-05-15 05:33:00

I found a good savings for those that travel.
I have hired a car - and the excess is $3300 - I thought my Credit card insurance covered it but when I rang to confirm I found they only covered to $2000 - so less a $200 excess still would leave me $1500 short should something happen. The Car Insurance company wanted $160 to cover the excess - but on the simple savings site I saw a hint.
I purchase a southern cross travel policy which covers rental cars excess to $5000 for $36. I normally only travel using my credit card insurance - but next time I go I will be doubly covered lol.

toadfish - 2014-05-15 05:36:00

This message was deleted.

cookessentials - 2014-05-15 07:24:00

toadfish wrote:

Fantastic.
We just remembered years ago I used to make "Mouse Traps"
I took frozen bread - spread it with vegemite - cut while still semi frozen so it didn't squish on cutting - put a little and I mean a little (about 6 or 7 strands) grated cheese on it and dry baked it. It was a very popular healthy snack - must make some more tonight,

YUM!! this brings back very fond memories of childhood - we put half a teaspoon of tomato sauce on them too (amazing thing, sauce, my nephews wouldn't eat mousetraps, yuck - put sauce on it, coming back for 2nds, lol!!)

kay34 - 2014-05-15 18:28:00

cookessentials wrote:

We always use SC travel insurance as it covers everything and is reasonably priced. I am also using a cash passport card this time it works like an eftpos card so you know exactly what you have as opposed to the credit card that does not give you an accurate balance while you are away.

I have a westpac debit plus card - costs me only $10 a year in fees. You can then withdraw cash at the westpac ATM in Australia for no charge - and you can also use it where they accept visa - the girls have 1 each as well .

Edited by toadfish at 8:45 pm, Thu 15 May

toadfish - 2014-05-15 20:45:00

Finally got round too cleaning out my pantry over the weekend, been on my to do list for months! Amazing what i have found, that was already on my shopping list. A slightly false economy this time - purchased $75 worth of plastic storage containers from the big red shed (on special, of course, lol 50% off, so $35 odd). But means i can now see what i need, and what i don't.

kay34 - 2014-05-19 19:18:00

kay34 wrote:

Finally got round too cleaning out my pantry over the weekend, been on my to do list for months! Amazing what i have found, that was already on my shopping list. A slightly false economy this time - purchased $75 worth of plastic storage containers from the big red shed (on special, of course, lol 50% off, so $35 odd). But means i can now see what i need, and what i don't.

Good for you - organisation is key. I was lucky about 16 years ago a freind of my decided she didn't want her Tupperware modular mates anymore and she sold them to me for a $100 - probably about $800-$1000 retail - add those to the odd one I have found at op shops and garage sales my whole pantry is neatly arranged. And I know just what I have.

Edited by toadfish at 8:05 pm, Mon 19 May

toadfish - 2014-05-19 20:03:00

Anybody else battle the family to budget? I am married to a wonderful man - but sometimes feel like I am the party pooper. Yesterday I was home unwell and DH was working from home. He asked me if I wanted him to go the bakery and pick up lunch for us both. Would have cost about $10-15 plus petrol (we live about 15 mins drive each way from the closest) plus an hours loss of work time. He got grumpy with me because I said I would make some lunch for us both (Because I was unwell and should be resting) It literally took 3 mins to put 3 cheese and onion toasties in the sandwich maker and they were delicious and just what I fancied. And we saved $15 plus petrol plus the loss of an hours chargeable rate. Don't get me wrong we are all doing this but sometimes I feel like a "Party Pooper".
In saying that the whole family loves the lifestyle we live because of it.

Edited by toadfish at 7:15 am, Tue 20 May

toadfish - 2014-05-20 07:13:00

This message was deleted.

shorty246 - 2014-05-26 23:17:00

shorty246 wrote:

I've followed this thread and taken inspiration from you toadfish for what seems like years, thanks for your helpful posts. Bless

+1

earthangel4 - 2014-05-27 08:07:00

that's a biggie for me, why get takeout when you can make it faster, healthier and cheaper at home, but I do give in occasionally and its usually to fish and chips lol

toadfish wrote:

Anybody else battle the family to budget? I am married to a wonderful man - but sometimes feel like I am the party pooper. Yesterday I was home unwell and DH was working from home. He asked me if I wanted him to go the bakery and pick up lunch for us both. Would have cost about $10-15 plus petrol (we live about 15 mins drive each way from the closest) plus an hours loss of work time. He got grumpy with me because I said I would make some lunch for us both (Because I was unwell and should be resting) It literally took 3 mins to put 3 cheese and onion toasties in the sandwich maker and they were delicious and just what I fancied. And we saved $15 plus petrol plus the loss of an hours chargeable rate. Don't get me wrong we are all doing this but sometimes I feel like a "Party Pooper".
In saying that the whole family loves the lifestyle we live because of it.

motorbo - 2014-05-27 09:13:00