September2
The spacebar on my Microsoft Natural Keyboard “died” yesterday. After the initial problem of having to swap the kids’ keyboard with mine so I could continue working, I got to looking at replacements.
It was only after discovering that I’d have to shell out at least $100 to get a new one that I started questioning whether I really needed it. Lo and behold I found that one of the seven-year-old boys that hangs out in my office most afternoons had dropped something sticky down between the keys. In a jiffy, I’d cleared it with my trusty nail file and now the keyboard, which has outlived three computers, is back in business. Not a cent spent.
August26
Thanks to my journalist friend Tracey Barnett who did a big investigation into the evils of BPA in plastic, I’ve been out this morning and spent $45 on three BPA drink bottles. One each.
If anyone has been similarly affected by Tracey’s writings Kathmandu has a sale this week (posted Aug 26, 2010) on BPA-free drink bottles. Two of its normally overpriced BPA-free bottles are now $29.98, which is an acceptable price. I convinced the store to let me have the third bottle for half price as well.
The awful thing is that I feel that I should upgrade all of my old plastic and my Bargain Betty alter ego is in shock. Why can’t ASB or BNZ or Vodafone or someone start distributing branded BPA-free bottles to customers? I’d advertise the organisation by carrying around the bottles if they sent some freebies my way. Most of my kids water bottles up until now have been branded corporate freebies. Now thanks to Tracey I’m having to spend real money on plastic bottles.
August24
Finally had the baked bean cassoulet last night, that was recommended by Virgil Evetts over at Foodlovers.co.nz
for my pantry project. You can read more about my experiences of not shopping for four weeks here: http://www.bargainbetty.co.nz/2010/07/16/how-to-cut-your-grocery-bill-1/
It was a budget meal to say the least. Only expensive ingredients were bacon and four small chorizo. I do have to say that chorizos are pretty reasonably priced in the deli at Third World Devonport.
The dish was a real hit. Even with me – the great baked bean hater. Definitely worth doing again. And I might cook some regular cassoulets in the near future. Bean-based meals usually go down reasonably well in this household.
August20
A couple of years back an old flame from my sophisticated London days appeared out of the blue in my inbox. We ended up chatting over the phone (Skype to be precise). Somewhere in the conversation I mentioned to my sophisticate friend with the income to match that I needed a camera case for my new digital camera. “Get a Lowe, they’re the best” was his reply. He’s a man who only ever buys the best quality of anything. Having metamorphised into Bargain Betty since I last saw him I nearly replied: “I don’t buy anything new if I don’t have to”. But I decided not to go there.
Being myself I popped down to the Devonport Op Shop to get something to do the job. Lo and behold there was a Lowe camera case there for $3 which I bought. Although I’m an op shopper I always buy the best brands as well. Just at much cheaper prices than new.
As an aside, I held a committee meeting for Toastmasters at my house one night. One of my fellow members who’d heard many a bargain hunting tale in my speeches was astounded to find that my house was minimalist and what there was, didn’t look like it came from a junk shop.
August14
I’ve just discovered the Feeding our Families website. Lots of great ideas for cheap, healthy meals. I loved the one with grated vegetables added to pot noodles for an afternoon tea snack:
http://www.feedingourfamilies.org.nz/
There is a real Kiwi/Pacific flavour to these recipes.
August14
I was just over at Foodlovers.co.nz and saw a wonderful tip. That was to use empty tuna tins, with both ends cut out, as crumpet rings.
So often there’s a free alternative to buying expensive equipment. This is a great one. I’ve got some silicone rings that I picked up in a garage sale. But the tuna tin idea is even better, being free.
August13
A couple of economists have written a piece in the NZ Herald about rip-offs. It’s an interesting read:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10665062
The Herald is also preparing another big read on the subject – to be published sometime soon.
August11
Here’s a tip. My local Foodtown sells cow’s feta in the deli section for $14.50 a kilogramme. I’m always astounded at the price of feta in New Zealand’s supermarkets. We’ve done a bit of cheese making at home and feta is one of the easiest and quickest cheeses there is to make. Much quicker and cheaper to make than cheddar. Yet our supermarkets charge a premium for it. I’ve often thought about this because I buy feta for $9.99 at times from the Indian shop that lives in what to be Sandringham’s old cinema. That’s more like the price it should be everywhere. It’s not a premium cheese.
I won’t get onto the price of cheddar, but Chris Barton wrote an interesting article on the topic in 2008, which can be found here: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10510662
August8
Standing on the side of the midgets soccer pitch last week I commented to another mother that her boy had new soccer boots. (Something to pass the time). Oh yes, she said. She’d got a real “bargain” apparently. They were reduced to $100 she told me. My eyebrow nearly popped through my hairline, but I said nothing.
I pay $2-$5 for a pair of soccer boots – the same Nike brand as her son’s. They do exactly the same job. I usually buy a couple of pairs in the same size so my son can choose between them. The source? School fairs or garage sales. What’s more, I’m fussy. I only buy boots that are showing no wear.
One day my boy will demand new ones. But until then, I’m not spending any money unless I have to. He’s chuffed with the boots he gets.