toadfish wrote:

http://www.people4info.co.nz/
http://www.consumerlink.co.nz/
http://www.reidresearch.co.nz/
The top one PFI is my main one, the kiwifruit was through the 2nd one and I have only recently joined the 3rd one and am yet to have a market research group with them.
Just go on to the website and "Join the panel"

Great, thanks Toadfish, have joined, so will wait and see.....

kay34 - 2014-09-28 14:59:00

And another $20 Farmers voucher from my online surveys tonight, whoop whoop, thats $120 since last November.

kay34 - 2014-10-02 19:37:00

Am feeling great. Who says food is expensive? Just filled containers the equivalent of 14 tins with home made baked beans. And yummy they are. Nothing artificial in them. Less than 40 cents per tin. In the freezer they go once cold. Should last a while. One kilo of haricot beans in crockpot. Day before I cooked a rich tomatoe sauce with lots of leftover vegies from freezer, while the beans were soaking. Bonus: the freezer had a clean out.

lilyfield - 2014-10-08 17:55:00

Thought of you today Toadfish, if my memory serves me right, you stock up on Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner if its on special? My local Pak n Save have them for $2 ea - wonder if your local has the same deal?

kay34 - 2014-10-09 19:36:00

kay34 wrote:

Thought of you today Toadfish, if my memory serves me right, you stock up on Sunsilk shampoo and conditioner if its on special? My local Pak n Save have them for $2 ea - wonder if your local has the same deal?

Thanks Kay that's a great price - will pop in if I get a moment

toadfish - 2014-10-09 20:19:00

lilyfield wrote:

Am feeling great. Who says food is expensive? Just filled containers the equivalent of 14 tins with home made baked beans. And yummy they are. Nothing artificial in them. Less than 40 cents per tin. In the freezer they go once cold. Should last a while. One kilo of haricot beans in crockpot. Day before I cooked a rich tomatoe sauce with lots of leftover vegies from freezer, while the beans were soaking. Bonus: the freezer had a clean out.

That's great lilyfield - did you have lots of tomatoes in your freezer or did you use canned?

toadfish - 2014-10-09 20:21:00

Lots in freezer ,also peppers, celery, onion, leek. And a pottle of tomatoe concentrate. I buy huge tins and freeze small amounts. This was the last one from 3 years ago. Trip to Gilmores planed

lilyfield - 2014-10-09 21:20:00

awesome lilyfield, I just got myself some haricot beans last weekend and told son im going to make baked beans!!! I need to research recipes

motorbo - 2014-10-09 21:41:00

After two weeks holiday and spring cleaning, I must remind myself to clean out cupboards and freezer a bit more, found several things I had forgotten about ( including a fruit mix that is now in the middle of being a christmas cake which will be put away til the day) and have gained several meals. All because cans or whatever get pushed to the back and then ignored.
And I have had time to shop for basics to stock up again.
Such a lovely feeling to have cupboards full, freezer stocked (bought buns at the end of a day at a bakery for 10c each, got 30 and have bagged them up for the freezer) and everything clean and sparkling.
Time for a gin and tonic i think.

fey - 2014-10-10 17:49:00

Hi Ladies, I am absolutely thrilled to see this page has kept going.
I love to look through everyone exciting stories of how they have saved a bob or two along the way.
My excitement ATM is our New World has recentely,changed hands, and the old owners must have had a fag almost that was full of dented cans, why they never gave them to a good charity I would not know, but anyway the new owners, put them out 1 trolley full at a time for between 50c to $1 each and they are my shopping thrill for the week.
He also must have a room filled with sample of products that companies give him to try before you buy sort of thing, and those go out too.
I have a son with a broken foot on ACC ATM so when i visit him, lol you can imagine what his box of goodies contains.
And I mean a dented tin of Watties tomato sauce still tastes the same whether it is from a good can or a dented one.
I am loving it

kob - 2014-10-10 18:15:00

For months (well, ok, since last Xmas) i have wanted a nice, simple elegant dinner set, 6x each bowls, side plates, main plates. We're hosting Xmas this year, and while i have nice plates etc - only 1,2 or 3 of each, really wanted a whole set. Found one, white, with gold trim, this morning in my local op shop, with a $35 tag on it, BUT WAIT...... $5 sale, so a $30 discount (told hubby he owes me $5, cos that was Xmas prezzie) will go nicely with the Xmas basket (i wanted one for in-laws Xmas present), black Rodd & Gunn pants for hubby for work, 6x All Black Beer handle glasses, and a scotch chest, spent a whopping $15, thrilled much??!!! (OK, so they all need a wash/dust - thats what the catch is, lol)

kay34 - 2014-10-11 14:57:00

correction I got navy beans and they are soaking tomorrow I make baked beans in the slow cooker

motorbo - 2014-10-11 15:23:00

kob wrote:

Hi Ladies, I am absolutely thrilled to see this page has kept going.
I love to look through everyone exciting stories of how they have saved a bob or two along the way.
My excitement ATM is our New World has recentely,changed hands, and the old owners must have had a fag almost that was full of dented cans, why they never gave them to a good charity I would not know, but anyway the new owners, put them out 1 trolley full at a time for between 50c to $1 each and they are my shopping thrill for the week.
He also must have a room filled with sample of products that companies give him to try before you buy sort of thing, and those go out too.
I have a son with a broken foot on ACC ATM so when i visit him, lol you can imagine what his box of goodies contains.
And I mean a dented tin of Watties tomato sauce still tastes the same whether it is from a good can or a dented one.
I am loving it

Are MEN allowed?!

trogedon - 2014-10-13 17:15:00

trogedon wrote:

Are MEN allowed?!

Sorry of course, welcome

kob - 2014-10-13 17:50:00

okay I didn't get the prices to work it out, but my homemade baked beans were amazing, I loved them....hoping they freeze ok ..... worth the effort ...which wasn't a lot and much healthier

motorbo - 2014-10-13 18:13:00

kay34 wrote:

For months (well, ok, since last Xmas) i have wanted a nice, simple elegant dinner set, 6x each bowls, side plates, main plates. We're hosting Xmas this year, and while i have nice plates etc - only 1,2 or 3 of each, really wanted a whole set. Found one, white, with gold trim, this morning in my local op shop, with a $35 tag on it, BUT WAIT...... $5 sale, so a $30 discount (told hubby he owes me $5, cos that was Xmas prezzie) will go nicely with the Xmas basket (i wanted one for in-laws Xmas present), black Rodd & Gunn pants for hubby for work, 6x All Black Beer handle glasses, and a scotch chest, spent a whopping $15, thrilled much??!!! (OK, so they all need a wash/dust - thats what the catch is, lol)

Fabulous - nothing quite like the "Bargain Buzz"

toadfish - 2014-10-14 07:35:00

toadfish wrote:

Fabulous - nothing quite like the "Bargain Buzz"

I know, i think i have adopted your "game" like thinking Toadfish! Off too Farmers sale now with my vouchers, might shout myself new towels (if they're priced right, of course!!)

kay34 - 2014-10-16 18:50:00

bargains...im an avid op shopper, its my hobby/interest I love finding a bargain .. im also going to join a timebank and save that way as well as give me time to others

motorbo - 2014-10-16 19:51:00

motorbo wrote:

bargains...im an avid op shopper, its my hobby/interest I love finding a bargain .. im also going to join a timebank and save that way as well as give me time to others

I recently had a week off, and went to Dunedin with my Mum (in her company car, to stay in her company paid hotel room, and eat out on her companys $50/day food allowance) and spent 3 days op shopping, and alot of them had 50% sales - did i need a new pair of leather calf high boots, nah, but for $3 wasn't leaving them behind, can now sell my not leather ones! Every Sat morning i head out, without fail (hubby even knows now im "not available" till 10am!!)

kay34 - 2014-10-16 21:10:00

I stopped off at the "Y Not" shop on the way home this week - that place is fabulous - but only if you are disciplined and stay away from the junk food - I got 500gm Hansells Greek Yoghurt and Coconut packets - 3 for $2, so if you bought 6 for $4 - that would make you 3 litres for $4 - when normally 1 x 1 litre Sachet is worth that - Bargain. I also got savouries - 32 pieces for $12.99 - so will pop at least 12 in the freezer for another day. Not a normal purchase for me - but was the reason I went, as we have 10 for lunch today and DH requested them, bless him lol. I also got 2 x cottage cheese tubs for $1. And a 4 serve Delmaine's fresh pasta Tortellini for $3.99 - that's a fabulous quick meal and even though they are close to their date - they freeze beautifully and last much longer that way. Feeding 4 adults for $4 plus salad and in 10 mins Go to Whoa - a real bonus.

Won $50 this week on the Bonus Bonds I have been accumulating to pay off my Harvey Norman account when the interest Free term ends - A nice windfall - another reason that money is better off in my pocket than theirs.

toadfish - 2014-10-18 07:04:00

kay34 wrote:

I recently had a week off, and went to Dunedin with my Mum (in her company car, to stay in her company paid hotel room, and eat out on her companys $50/day food allowance) and spent 3 days op shopping, and alot of them had 50% sales - did i need a new pair of leather calf high boots, nah, but for $3 wasn't leaving them behind, can now sell my not leather ones! Every Sat morning i head out, without fail (hubby even knows now im "not available" till 10am!!)

Sounds like a lovely break away.
I have been meaning to hit the Garage Sales - but after working a 40 hour week - Saturday mornings are my wind down time - I will there one day though as I love them - in fact I have 2 planned this morning as I need to go to the supermarket early to get fresh rolls for lunch and I see there are 2 that I can just pop in to .

Edited by toadfish at 7:07 am, Sat 18 Oct

toadfish - 2014-10-18 07:06:00

Garage sales are great if you have something particular in mind. When my son went flatting earlier on this year we went every Saturday morning for awhile. Got some him really good quality kitchen stuff for practically nothing. So much cheaper than buying on here and way better than the op shops which i found to be dearer than brand new at times. Plus it was great fun.

pamellie - 2014-10-18 09:08:00

kay and pam.....omng YES, ive become more aware of my diet, environment, the planet I guess and I see the value in buying 2nd hand, not just an amazing cost saver, but you are reusing something, giving it value again, the amount of packaging in the world and the amount of things we don't even fix now - just throw it away..is bloody awful ... my mission is and its what ive done so far is to stick to 80% or above in refurnishing a home for myself with 2nd hand/op shop/free/specials

motorbo - 2014-10-18 12:51:00

I owe you one Kay34 .....
I told my DH Friday night I was going to go to Harvey Normans to get a cordless stick vacuum. Then on Saturday I had to drop my DD2 into town and pick up a few things for visitors coming to lunch and on the way in I told her I was going to get a stick vacuum.
I didn't really have time to go to 2 garage sales - but thought I'll just go to 1 - and gleaming in the corner was a..... you guessed it Electrolux Ergorapido Cordless Vacuum, in a lovely red - with its manual and receipts. RRP $260 - she brought it on special for $180 - and I brought it from her for .... $40.
I would never have popped in if it wasn't for reading this thread - might be addictive. But how is that for luck!!
So thanks!

toadfish - 2014-10-19 07:52:00

Funny that Toadfish.
I found when we were doing a lot for my son each time we went I would say we need a 'such and such' this time and just about everytime we would find what I wanted!

pamellie - 2014-10-19 13:50:00

Lol, well done Toadfish,, a very nice "win"

kay34 - 2014-10-19 18:54:00

And again Toadfish, love your weetbix slice recipe, AND, Wacky Wednesday @ Pak n Save tmorrow, email has advertised 1kg weetbix for $3, good enough to buy one me thinks and make a few!!!

kay34 - 2014-10-28 18:48:00

Weetbix 1kg, $3, Freyas Bread, $2/loaf, Cheese 1kg $6.50, tomatoes 500gm, $1.99. And to top it off, had my name pulled out of a hat to do a focus group, ok, its 1.5hours long, but will score a $120 Pak n Save voucher for my trouble (and local store is 2km from home, and on my usual travel route from work to home)

kay34 - 2014-10-29 18:49:00

kay34 wrote:

Weetbix 1kg, $3, Freyas Bread, $2/loaf, Cheese 1kg $6.50, tomatoes 500gm, $1.99. And to top it off, had my name pulled out of a hat to do a focus group, ok, its 1.5hours long, but will score a $120 Pak n Save voucher for my trouble (and local store is 2km from home, and on my usual travel route from work to home)

Fantastic - where is your local pak'n'save? seems better than mine lol

toadfish - 2014-10-29 20:52:00

toadfish wrote:

Fantastic - where is your local pak'n'save? seems better than mine lol

Hornby, ChCh. Bit of a bonus they are in the mall where the work PO Box is, always go in on a Wacky Day or whatever when i do the mail/banking etc for work to buy the specials, then, cheeky, any really good specials with a limit of, i go back on my way home to get another allocation.

kay34 - 2014-10-29 21:57:00

Bumping all, tis the season when budgets get s t r e t c h e d!!

kay34 - 2014-11-03 19:02:00

And another bump. Pak n Save survey thingy last night, was actually interesting. Took great delight in spending my $120 voucher tonight!

kay34 - 2014-11-11 20:59:00

I've managed to do some trading to help the budget. My lemon tree has well and truly outdone itself, so on a local gardening page, I've traded lemons with people for lettuce, tomato, cauli, and bok choy seedlings for my garden. So it's a win win, save money on plants, and when they're ready to harvest, save money on the groceries. Happy as :)

deludedmunchkin - 2014-11-12 23:12:00

deludedmunchkin wrote:

I'v-
e managed to do some trading to help the budget. My lemon tree has well and truly outdone itself, so on a local gardening page, I've traded lemons with people for lettuce, tomato, cauli, and bok choy seedlings for my garden. So it's a win win, save money on plants, and when they're ready to harvest, save money on the groceries. Happy as :)

Sadly, our lemon tree is having a major sulk at the moment, i think of guilty of not watering it enough. Would love some lemons though, and will have black boy peaches for africa in march - might "steal" your idea and see what i can barter peaches for!

kay34 - 2014-11-13 21:36:00

kay34 wrote:

Sadly, our lemon tree is having a major sulk at the moment, i think of guilty of not watering it enough. Would love some lemons though, and will have black boy peaches for africa in march - might "steal" your idea and see what i can barter peaches for!

Lol I have never watered my lemon tree, I've only ever trimmed it.
Hope you do manage to barter.

deludedmunchkin - 2014-11-14 13:24:00

Luckily, our neighbours have asked to help save their green bin - please, they begged, pick our lemons and limes! Whoop whoop!

kay34 - 2014-11-19 19:00:00

Is there a barter website in NZ available for produce etc? Anyone know? Seems ashame not to share what could be used.

asue - 2014-11-19 19:36:00

We have one here, its a Facebook page and aparantely they have them throughout NZ it let's you know where free produce is or where to inform people of fruit or!beges going to!waste , they then come and see you, then they pick, distribute and preserve then donate to organizations or those in need........
Punch into Facebook
Community Fruit then your town

Edited by kob at 9:50 pm, Wed 19 Nov

kob - 2014-11-19 21:47:00

asue wrote:

Is there a barter website in NZ available for produce etc? Anyone know? Seems ashame not to share what could be used.

Please see my message regarding fruit bartering

Edited by kob at 9:58 pm, Wed 19 Nov

kob - 2014-11-19 21:57:00

Another $40 Farmers vouchers ordered today from my online surveys, hoping they'll be here in time for Boxing Day sales!

kay34 - 2014-11-25 18:38:00

bumping

actiongirl1 - 2014-11-29 16:52:00

Pak n Save Xmas Club "matured" today, $537.00 to spend, whoop whoop!!!

kay34 - 2014-12-01 19:01:00

kay34 wrote:

Pak n Save Xmas Club "matured" today, $537.00 to spend, whoop whoop!!!

Me too - $637 here, we do $50 Month.
Don't think I'll get there for a week or 2, so hopefully will be able to stock up for Christmas and most of January when we do.
Plus I have a $20 Farmers Voucher on the way and $10.50 towards a 2nd one. Got to love that!

Edited by toadfish at 8:21 pm, Mon 1 Dec

toadfish - 2014-12-01 20:20:00

Have had a huge win at work. Im on a salary, so no overtime. Had previously been given time in leiu instead of cash - till i took the time i had saved up, then got docked holiday pay anyway. Supervisor got quite cross, said im an asset to the team, slog my guts out, and will now get paid for my overtime in my pay every week. Whoop whoop, only 2 days into the week, and 3.5hours overtime clocked already!

kay34 - 2014-12-02 19:56:00

Made my lists, checked it twice, then went to spend my Pak n Save Xmas Club. "Meat $100" was on my list, spent $107 and now have 30 meal portions in my freezer, not bad! Had $540, spent $403, so still have money for the perishables (fruit, cream etc) closer to the time. Kitchen, bathroom, laundry Cupboards all full, will see us thru well past Xmas.

kay34 - 2014-12-07 19:44:00

kay34 wrote:

Made my lists, checked it twice, then went to spend my Pak n Save Xmas Club. "Meat $100" was on my list, spent $107 and now have 30 meal portions in my freezer, not bad! Had $540, spent $403, so still have money for the perishables (fruit, cream etc) closer to the time. Kitchen, bathroom, laundry Cupboards all full, will see us thru well past Xmas.

Good for you - my list has been formulating and being added to since Saturday - Ours is likely to go over the $637 but I wont do a big shop again till early February. When I renovated the kitchen - I did the laundry at the same time, its a bit of a butlers pantry and has lots of storage space for all the spares.... then I just shop in my pantry till Feb!

toadfish - 2014-12-08 06:20:00

I only managed to save $180 for pak n save and am trying to make my mind up if I should do a big shop the week before Christmas and not shop till 2nd week of January or just add $40 a week extra to the grocery shop. I normally spend $160 a week and have two birthdays on the 22nd and 23rd

fatboy6 - 2014-12-08 12:46:00

CRIKEY!!! All my Xmas's came at once yesterday, after 12 months of hard work, with what i thought was not being noticed by the big bosses up north - i get 5 weeks wages, handed to me yesterday, inside a thank you card as a bonus. And then shouted myself a Warehouse voucher - $100 for only $80 on a deal - even when i can pay full retail, im tight with my wallet! Thinking i might shout myself a manicure and pedicure for Xmas, and an expensive bottle of wine (if its on special!!!)

kay34 - 2014-12-10 19:59:00

Bumping just cos ;-)

kay34 - 2014-12-30 17:40:00

Happy New Year everyone.So enjoying the fruits of my labour in the vege garden. Courgettes, carrots, basil, lettuce, mint, strawberries,potatoes broccoli, cauli and peas. Bottled beetroot last weekend, and planted more beetroot, cauli, broccoli, carrots too.

kay34 - 2015-01-15 19:34:00