Save money

FREE! Who isn’t drawn to the bold and often colourful word? Contrary to the statement, “Nothing in life is free,” some things actually are! Why not take advantage of the opportunity? Well, in some cases the quote is true. How do you know when “FREE” actually means it’s free? Here are some pointers, and a bit of advice on how to distinguish between when free is better and when it’s not.

Good News!

The good news is; some things in life ARE free! You can find these deals everywhere, and in every part of life. Take for example, free samples; YES! I would love to try a new flavor of a popular brand of crackers, bring on the free ice cream samples! You can get free items everywhere (not just in the local market). Let’s talk about where you can get free clothes, books, kitchen appliances, and ADVICE. Your very own family is generally the best way to get stuff for free. (Of course, you shouldn’t go looking through your brother or sisters closet for a new sweater). However, when the opportunity arises to swap the blender you never use for a slightly used set of knives; don’t pass it up! Swap books, hand-me-downs, movies, games, etc. You’ll save yourself and your family heaps when you share. Does every family really need their own copies of every single Disney movie released?

When you’re shopping, you can come across great free items as well. If you went to the store (and you needed two new pairs of shoes), don’t pass up a buy one get one free deal. Or if you and a friend are both looking for shoes, split the cost of the purchased pair and save! The same idea can apply at the market, or in your favorite clothing shop.

My favorite free things are “FREE FUN!” If I ever come across the opportunity to do something fun or exciting for free, I rarely pass it up (I’d have to be crazy!!!). I was lucky enough to help with some photography for a friend, It was great fun and didn’t cost me anything. I also love “punch cards” (after buying 9 coffee’s I think I deserve the 10th for free!). I also love free advice, (in moderation, of course) it really helps to have the support of your friends and family.

Bad News!

The bad news is, there are often “free” deals that are manipulating. You see these everywhere! Here’s what to watch out for; “Buy 5 get 1 free”, “Eat the entire 6.8 kilo burger, get it free”, “FREE for 90 days”, or “FREE MONEY.”

When you see a “Buy 5 get 1 free” sign, consider this: Do you need 6 of these items? Did you need 5?? Getting you to buy more than you intended or needed originally just for one free item is a marketing scheme. The item is usually marked up enough that the manufacturer doesn’t lose a penny by giving you the free item. (Actually, they are making more money by getting you to buy more). Especially consider what you originally intended to buy when it’s food. Buying 5 loafs of bread to get one free, when you only needed one or two originally, is a bad idea. It’s likely that the additional loafs will grow mold before you get to them.

We all love a challenge, but when you see a sign that says “Eat the ENTIRE 6.8 kilo burger, get it FREE” sign, I encourage you to pass on the opportunity. Unless you are confident you can finish the burger, and that you will be satisfied when you do, you will end up paying an unheard of price for the meal (and suffer from a massive belly ache).

“Free for 90 days” usually translates to: It’s free now, but your locked in for 12 months and for the 9 months it’s not free…  Well, it certainly won’t be cheap! You’ll see deals like this on credit cards (“0% interest for 90 days”), loans, subscriptions, etc. Before you buy into one of these schemes, get all the information and READ the small print! “Free Money” would likely fall under this category. If you receive an email from someone wanting to put some money in your account, all they need is your account information, I hope you can immediately realise that this is a scam!

Take advantage of the free things in life, but be aware that many times people use the word “FREE” to manipulate and scam others into spending more when they need not! What are you favorite free things? Do find it difficult to realise when the word “free” is being used to manipulate?

Designer clothes up for grabs, giveaways, and free wine – you’d expect this mix to result in a stampeding, chaotic mess.

But on Sunday, there was none of that at the St James Theatre where the Big Shwop was happening.  Instead, most participants went home with a brand new wardrobe and a guilt-free conscience.

(From left) Inga Boyd, Sarah Hopkins, and Christine McGonigal are the masterminds behind the event, and their vision behind the shwop is simple: fashion without sacrificing the environment.  This brilliant idea has the added benefit of being extremely gentle on the wallet.  Here’s how it works:

Shwoppers bring along unwanted articles of clothing in like-new condition and receive a voucher for each piece accepted.  Volunteers then spend a couple hours sorting the garments onto racks (donated by Icebreaker) while participants enjoy a free glass of organic wine, compliments of Momo.  Representatives from Kowtow and Trilogy are in attendance to give talks about the benefits of fair-trade and organic products.  When the shwopping begins, everyone’s on their own to find pieces of clothing they like and fit, and participants can redeem one article of clothing per voucher.  The idea is that everyone adds something new to their wardrobe without having to spend anything on it, and it’s good for the environment because no resources are being used to create new products!

Fashion on a budget

The entrance fee to the event was $20, so no, it wasn’t entirely free.  However, the giveaways alone were worth more than $20.  Women received a Trilogy Everything Balm (RRP $22), men received a Trilogy Aftershave Balm (RRP $32), and everyone received a free glass of Momo wine or Tuatara beer, a bar of Ecostore soap (RRP $4), and a choice of Trilogy face cleanser (up to a $32 value) if they brought an old used cleanser to swap in.  That’s more than $60 in free goods before we even talk about the clothes!

Since you had to bring clothes in order to get clothes, it was a good opportunity for me to clean out my wardrobe and get rid of those  I-rarely-wear-but-don’t-want-to-part-with-because-they’re-so-new items.  This event seemed like a worthy cause and a worth-it cause because I’d be getting something back in exchange (a bit selfish, but that’s the budget-brain talking).  I brought four items, and they accepted all four (the max was 20, but I couldn’t find nearly that amount in like-new condition).  So armed with my vouchers, I waited anxiously for the volunteers to raise the ribbon barring the staircase to the first floor where the racks of clothes were waiting.

I expected a scene comparable to the piranha feeding frenzies you see on National Geographic, and I had my elbows out ready to box out and stand my ground, but it was quickly evident that there was no need for that.  As soon as the volunteers gave the go, the herd of participants (women of all shapes spanning at least 3 generations) filed civilly up the stairs to browse the racks.  I headed for the row of tops first, since this was what was most lacking in my wardrobe, and my friend beelined for the dresses.  (We strategised ahead of time and agreed that splitting up while keeping an eye out for items for the other person would be the most efficient way to tackle this shwop.)  Soon, we had heaps of new threads to try on!

The fitting area was well-operated, limiting participants to 5 items per try.  Going with a friend made it easy because we took turns holding and trying on.  After making some tough decisions, I narrowed my picks down to 4 items and a pile of maybes.  In the end, my friend didn’t find enough clothes that suited her, so I benefitted from her extra vouchers.  (You’re the best, girlie!)

This was the first time the Big Shwop had a he-shwop section, but sadly, that demographic was poorly represented.  Another friend’s partner was the only possessor of a Y chromosome in sight, and it took him 5 seconds to scan the scant gents’ racks to decide there was nothing there for him.  I know it’s not really a guy-thing to swap clothes, but it’s such a resourceful way of updating your wardrobe!  Come on, guys!

Staying in the green (budget-wise and environmentally)

So was it worth the $20 entrance fee?  Yes, in a heartbeat.  One of the items I scored at the shwop was a $300-something pair of wool trousers by New Zealand designer Zana Feuchs.  The items I brought combined probably didn’t even total that.  Of course, I’m sure there were other participants who were less lucky and might not have found items that were worth their while.  So I’ve thought of a few things that might increase your chances of a successful shwop experience:

1. Make sure that the clothes you bring are ones that you mean to get rid of anyway (and they do have to be well-made).  Even with the strict quality clothing requirements, it can be a bit hit-and-miss, and there isn’t a guarantee that you’ll find truckloads of things that suit you, so you don’t want to leave feeling bitter about the items you donated.
2. Have in mind ideas of what you’d like to get so that you’re not overwhelmed and flustered.  Focus, perhaps, on a particular color, style, or garment type to narrow down your choices.
3. If you didn’t end up using all your vouchers, don’t worry!  You’ll get credit for those at the next shwop you attend.

Overall, the Big Shwop is a well-organised, ethically and environmentally-minded, budget-conscious event.  Fifteen percent of the proceeds go to the Fair Trade Association, and all the clothes that remain are donated to charity.  You can hardly feel bad about the $20 you pay to attend, and if you consider that as part of your budget for clothes shopping, chances are high that you’ll be getting much more than that amount back in quality new clothes.

In the past, the Big Shwop has been held in Wellington and Auckland, so keep an eye out on their blog for the next one!

Hold your own swap party

If you’re not in Wellington or Auckland (and even if you are), it’s really easy to hold your own swap with a group of friends.  I’m part of a regular one, and it’s a great, inexpensive way to update your wardrobe while spending a pleasant afternoon catching up.  Your swap doesn’t have to have an entrance fee or quality criteria like the Big Shwop, and there won’t be a huge crowd to compete with either.  If you hold them regularly, you can have a constantly evolving wardrobe without ever needing to buy new clothes!  Great for the budget and great for the environment!

What are some other ways of staying on budget while still keeping an interesting wardrobe?  For the guys, how could a clothes swap be modified so that you would want to attend?

Don’t let the winter season bog you and your family down! Though it may be cold, and rainy… get your family together and have fun (without spending heaps of money). If you are in need of some inspirational ideas to get you going, read on for fun activities to do when the weather is nice, or not so nice.

Oh What a Lovely Day!

Take advantage of the days when the sun is shining, and the clouds are nowhere to be seen. Put on your coat, and get outside for some fresh air! Take your family hiking, and check out the beautiful landscapes while you explore. Walk around town, stop by the shops and visit your local museums. Take a bike ride, or a car trip all over the place! There are many (low cost) things to do and see all over New Zealand. Not to mention countless free ways to have fun; toss a Frisbee around, play catch, walk the dog, etc.

What a Great Day to Stay Home!

When the weather is not so lovely, and you would much rather stay in; consider these fun idea’s for family activities! Depending on the age of your family, some of these activities will work better than others. I’ll try to provide enough inspiring idea’s that you could work with. Families with young children could enjoy building a fort in the living room, playing twister, creating art, or cooking goodies. If your children are a bit older; you might enjoy card games, sharing stories, watching movies, put together a puzzle, or playing the Wii. We all know that kids eventually grow out of the stage where they think family time is fun, try to get ideas from them on what they would like to do. Or, allow them to help plan the next family vacation.

Ask Your Friends and Family

If you are having troubles pleasing the members of your family, create an “idea bowl.” Have the members of your family write 3 to 5 ideas on a bit of paper, put them all in the bowl and draw one out. Working together is a great way to keep the peace! Ask your friends and relatives what they do to keep themselves entertained during the winter. Sharing your ideas and listening to others is perfect for coming up with new and exciting activities.

Get a babysitter! Take a night out, just you and your mate. Enjoy a quiet dinner and a movie while the kids play with their friends. Or, send the kids to a friends and enjoy a quiet evening at home. Everyone deserves a break!

Take control this winter and have fun! What winter family ideas do you have for families with young children or teens? What has been the most successful way to keep everyone entertained?

No Kids? No Problem!

If your family consists of you and your mate, here are some exciting winter activities for you! If the weather permits, be sure to get outside and take a walk through a nearby park. Take a hiking adventure or consider taking a weekend getaway; take in the views, experience some winter snow sports, or enjoy the nightlife and dining. If you are staying in, try cooking a romantic dinner or having a movie night. Have fun playing games with close friends and family, consider setting up a weekly dinner with friends. (Everyone can save money when everyone pitches in a little to support the fun!)

What ideas do you have for families without children? What is the best way you have found to enjoy your winter without spending heaps of cash?

How often do you buy shampoo? Detergent? Toothpaste? Saving money doesn’t always have to mean you miss out on buying your favourite products, but it does mean you will have to start paying attention to how you are using them. Using less means the product will last longer and you will not have to buy replacements as often. It also means that in many cases the product still creates the same, if not better, results. So why not try it? Here are a few products you can try:

Shampoo/conditioner: Using big gallops of shampoo every day can often create build up  in your hair and strip your hair of it’s natural oils. Too much conditioner also makes your hair greasy. You can use far less than recommended amounts and still get great results. Wash your hair every second day and only lather and rinse once.

Moisturizer: Similarly, you don’t need to soak your skin in moisturizer. Smaller amounts work just fine. Especially with cleansers and face moisturizers the recommended amount is about the size of a coin.

Perfume/cologne/body spray: Despite what ad campaigns would have us believe, a single spritz of perfumes and bodysprays is generally enough to give you scent you want. Spraying too much is not only wasteful but the result will usually turn people off because the fragrance is too small. Our noses adapt to smells so because you are surrounded by the fragrance your nose starts to ‘tune it out’ after awhile. So remember, just because you can no longer smell the fragrance, it is very likely that people around you still can.

Deodorant: Similar to perfumes and body sprays, deodorants don’t need to be swiped over the skin five or six times. One good swipe is usually enough to do the job, unless you are going to be sweating large amounts.

Laundry detergent: Using less detergent is good for both your clothes and the washing machine. Too much soap causes build up on your clothes and also in your machine. Try using half as much as normal in a couple of loads and then adjust accordingly.

Dishwasher detergent: Like laundry detergents, you don’t have to fill the detergent cup to the brim to get clean dishes. Try filling it only half full and gauging the results. Or wash dishes by hand is another alternative. Only use the dishwasher for a full load.

Toothpaste: Squirt out an amount slightly larger than the size of a pea to clean your teeth. More most people, this amount is plenty to freshen breath and remove plaque.

Cleaning Products: You don’t have to soak the mirror or flood the toilet with cleaning products just to get a clean house. In general, a little spray on a rag or sponge will clean a large area. You only need a larger amount if you have a massive stain or built up dirt but you can still apply less and just let it soak.

Juice: Most juice is so full of sugar that you can easily dilute it with water and it will still taste good. Try mixing a glass of half juice and half water to begin with and then adjust the amounts depending if it’s too weak or oo sweet. This will make the bottle of juice last twice as long.

I am keen to hear some of your own ideas. What other products could you use less of and still get the same, if not better, results?

If you find yourself walking into the kitchen and and have over-ripe bananas (I have a couple bananas in the kitchen that are over-ripe_ there is actually a better thing to do with them rather than throwing them out. You can always make healthy and delicious banana nut bread. So here is a little recipe to make one loaf of banana nut bread.

Even I can make this bread and I don’t bake or cook or make any kind of food besides cereal. So I hope that you will enjoy this recipe.

The ingredients you’ll need:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1/8 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of soda
2 cups of flour
3 bananas
1/2 cup of nuts

I left the last ingredient as just nuts rather than a specific one which means you can choose whatever kind you prefer. I personally love almonds (I can munch on a handfuls at a time) however, pecans are traditionally usually used.

Mash the bananas and chop the nuts; leave them aside as you will add them to the rest of your ingredients.

Cream together the butter or margarine and the sugar in a bowl. Add each of the eggs one by one and stir in after each addition.

Add all your dry ingredients into the cream mixture. Then add in the bananas and the nuts and continue stirring.

Pour the mixture into a well-greased bread pan and bake in an oven of 160C (325F) for about an hour and fifteen minutes or until ready. Use the toothpick test to test if it is ready (insert a toothpick into the loaf and it should come out clean).

You can always make more if you have more bananas. And if you find yourself having only one or two over-ripe bananas, then go out there and buy only the amount that you need to complete the recipe.