LynWebster

P IG T ITS &PARSLEY SAUCE

Slashyourgrocerybillbylivingsustainably

Contents

1:Us

2:You

3:Adjustingtothenewbudget

4:Action–somethingsyoucando

5:Smartershopping

6:Anewwayofthinking

7:Otheradvantages

8:Gardening

9:Makingyourowncleaningproducts

10:Somerealitiesoflivingonastrictbudget

11:Whatthefamilythinks

12:WhattoexpectwithaPigTitsattitude

Recipes

Meals,treatsandsnacks

Cleaningproductsandcosmetics

Author’snote

Furtherreading

FollowPenguin

Chapter1

Us

HOWPIGTITSWASBORN

ThreeyearsagoItookmydaughtersDanniandStevieonafamilyholiday.AsthegirlsenjoyedthesunandsandatOpunakeBeachHolidayCamp,theywereblissfullyunawarethataloomingfinancialcrisiswasabouttoruinmyfarmingbusinessandcrushourfutureplans.Asaself-reliantandindependentsingleparentIknewitwassomehowuptometopreventthisdisaster.Aself-employedsharemilker’slifecanbebusy,jugglingrelentlessfarm

responsibilitiesalongwithraisingateenagefamilyonmyown.Iwasbornand

responsibilitiesalongwithraisingateenagefamilyonmyown.Iwasbornandraisedinthecitybutfellintodairyfarmingalongthewayandsawsharemilkingasapositiveandhealthywaytoraisemygirlsandearnagoodliving.Itwasn’teasyinitiallytogetenoughcashtogethertobuyaherdofcowsandtheequipmentneededtorunanagribusiness,butsomehowImanagedtodoit.Mysharemilkingcareerhasbeenavariedandinterestingjourneywithsome

highlights,includingwinningTaranakiVariableOrderSharemilkeroftheYearin2005andbeingfeaturedonNewZealand’slongest-runningTVprogramme,CountryCalendar.IhavealsostudiedforandearnedaDiplomaofAgriculture.Unfortunately,whileconcentratingmyenergiesintomyfarmingcareerandfamily,Ineglectedthebasicsandfailedtosaveanycashtobolsterusthroughanyunexpectedfinancialcrises.Theoldadagethatifyoulookafterthepennies,thepoundswilllookafterthemselveswassomethingIshouldn’thaveignored,butIalwayshadaccesstocashandhouseholdbudgetingwasthelastthingonmymindwithafarmtorun.However,asIlearnedtomydetriment,smallleakscansinkbigships.

TITBITIFYOULOOKAFTERTHECENTS,THEDOLLARSWILLLOOKAFTERTHEMSELVES.

Isuddenlyfoundmyselfinafinancialpredicamentandneededtourgentlyfreeupsomecash.Alookatmybankstatementsrevealedthattherewasatleast$200aweekcurrentlybeingspentongroceriesthatcouldbeclawedbackintosavings–ifonlyIcouldcuttheweeklygrocerybilldowntojust$100aweek.Ididn’treallywanttodothisatthetime,butIwasdesperate.Wehadtogivethisago.TheplanwasrevealedatafamilymeetingwhereIexplainedthatIneededthe

moneytostayinbusinessandtoprotectourfuture.IsuggestedtoDanniandSteviethatonceIhadsavedanesteggwecouldinvestitinsomethingforusall,maybeaninvestmentproperty,whichwouldensuresomefuturefinancialsecurityforthem.Inthemeantimemykidshadtounderstandthatmanyofthetreatsand

indulgencestheyhadbecomeaccustomedtofindinginthecupboardsathome

wouldnolongerbethere.Surprisingly,DanniandStevieagreedwillinglytothis,evenmentioningthatitsoundedlikeagoodidea.Maybetheydidn’trealiseitmeantnomorechippies,cakesorbiscuitsinthepantry,nosoftdrinkinthefridgeoricecreaminthefreezer.Westartedstraightawaybysearchingthehouseforasmuchcashaswecould

findandtakingstockofthefoodwealreadyhadonhand,incupboardsandinthefridgeandfreezer.Wehadplentyoffood,enoughtolastusforatleastthreeweeks,andwealsofoundplentyofsparechangeforthegroceryfund.Therewasnearly$20inthecaralone.Thiswasafunandpositivewayforourfamilytostartthe$100-a-weekgrocerybudget.

IntownthenextdayIwaspassingthelocalnewspaperofficesandhadabrainwave.ImagineifIwroteacolumnaboutthechallengesoflivingon$100aweekforgroceries?Maybethepaperwouldpaymefordoingthat–thenthemoneycouldgotowardsthegroceries.WithinsecondsIfoundmyselfintheTaranakiDailyNewsofficesfacingthe

editor,deputyeditorandfeatureseditor,allofwhomthoughtthatinthoserecession-conscioustimesacolumnabouthomebudgetingwouldbeverywelcome.‘Sowhatareyougoingtocallthiscolumn?’askedthefeatureseditor.‘Ummmm–PigTitsandParsleySauce…’Iwavered,havinggivenit

absolutelynothoughtatall.WhileIstoodred-facedandbitingmytongueoffwishingIhadthoughtupa

propername,theeditorialtriobegancongratulatingmeonacatchycolumntitle–andPigTitsandParsleySaucewasborn.WhenIwasachildnaggingmymother,‘What’sfortea?’,shewould

sometimesanswerhumorouslybysaying,‘Pigtitsandparsleysauce.’IfiguredifwewerelivingonastrictbudgetandI’dblownallthegrocerymoneybeforetheweekwasup,myhungryfamilymighthavebeenpleasedtoseeanythingatallfortea,evenpigtitsandparsleysauce.Thankfully,todate,wehavenothadtostooptosuchlevels.AndsoIreturnedhomewiththerealisationthatnotonlyhadIvowedtolimit

AndsoIreturnedhomewiththerealisationthatnotonlyhadIvowedtolimitthegrocerybudgetto$100aweek,butI’dalsocommittedmyselftotellingthewholeprovinceaboutit.Atleastthatwouldkeepmehonest.Stickingtothe$100limitwasinitiallymildlychallenging,mainlybecause,in

thebeginning,ItriedtogetthesameitemsasIhadpreviouslyalwayspurchased,justlessofthem.Obviouslythisisnotthebestapproach.Wequicklycottonedonthatthereweresimilarbutmuchcheaperitemsonthesupermarketshelvesifyoucaredtolookforthem.ThekidschangedshoppingfromagamewhereyoutriedtokidMumintobuyingasmanytreatsaspossibleintoachallengetofindthecheapestversionofwhateverwehadonthelistthatweek.Stevie,whowas11atthetime,provedparticularlyskilledatfindingbargains.Beingshorterinstatureshewasclosertothelessexpensiveitemshiddenonthelowershelves.

TITBITLOOKONLOWER(ORHIGHER)SHELVESFORCHEAPERITEMS.OVERPRICEDLUXURY

ITEMSAREOFTENATEYELEVEL.

Ifweoverspent,thedeficitwastakenoffthenextweek’sbudget.SoifIaccidentallyspent$120insevendays,thenIhadtomake$80stretchoverthenextweek.Iquicklylearnttosticktothelimit.Thelimitedresourcesavailableforgroceryshoppingencouragedustogofurtherafieldthanjusttheone-stopsupermarketforshopping.Idiscoveredasmalllocalshopwherefreshvegetablesandmeatcouldbepurchasedatafractionofthepriceofthesupermarket.Thingswerelookingup,andsuddenlymysavingsweregrowingforthefirsttimeever.Idutifullyrecordedourexperiencesinmycolumn,whichappearedin

Saturday’spaperandattractedasurprisingamountofinterestandreaderfeedback.Initiallythepowersthatbeatthenewspapersaidtheywouldrunthecolumnsixtimesandseewhatsortoffeedbackitreceived.Readerfeedbackwasredirectedtomeviathefeatureseditor,toprotectme,thecolumnist,frompossiblenegativity.Iwaspleasantlysurprisedtoreceiveanythingfrom10to50positivecommentsfromreaderseachweek–PigTitswasprovingpopular.Mybudgetingcolumnwaspublishedweeklyforoverayear,andbythetimeitfinishedIhadsomanyfansthepaperkeptmeonasanopinioncolumnist.

Whenyouareseverelylimitingyourgroceryspendingitisimperativethatmostofthebudgetisusedtopurchasefooditems.Thecupboardscouldbelookingprettybarebytheweek’send.Onedayitdawnedonme:ifweranoutoflaundrypowder,shampooandtoothpasteinthesameweek,wecouldbefacingaprettyhungrytime.Ofcourse,whenwestartedthisexercisetherewerestockpilesofcleaningandbathroomproductstouseup,butwhatwouldwedowhentheseweregone?Iposedthequestioninmycolumn,andthisresultedinanunprecedentedresponse,mainlyfromolderfemalereaders,allofwhomsuggestedIuseonlybakingsodaandwhitevinegarforcleaningandleavealltheoverpricedmoderncleaningproductsintheirplasticbottlesonthesupermarketshelf.

TITBITUSEONLYBAKINGSODAANDWHITEVINEGARFORCLEANING.

Havingtakennointerestinanythinglikethisbefore,ImadesureIborrowedabakingsodabookfromthelibraryatournextvisit.Thebook,byVickiLansky,iscalledBakingSoda:Over500Fabulous,Fun&FrugalUsesYou’veProbablyNeverThoughtof.Wow,whataninterestingreferencebook.Ikeptthatbakingsodabookfor

aboutthreemonths–thelibrarywasringingmeupaskingforitback.Thekidsgotsickofmeansweringalltheirproblemswith‘bakingsoda’–ittrulyseemedtobeacompletesolutionforalmostanycleaningorhomeremedyrequiredaroundthehouse.Vickisuggestedthatsilverjewellerycouldbecleanedwithasolutionof

bakingsodaandwater.IhadsometarnishedearringsthatnormallyIwouldhavespentaround$12ormoretocleanwithaspecialisedsilverpolish.Itseemedhighlydubioustomethatasimplepasteofbakingsodaandwaterwoulddothetrick.However,Itrieditandofcourseitworkedsuperbly.

Thatsmallsuccessgotmethinking.IfIlearnedmoreaboutsimplecost-effectiveingredients,maybeIcouldmakemyownhouseholdcleaningproductsandcosmetics.Thenthemoneynotspentoncommercialproductscouldberedirectedtowardsmorefoodinthe$100-a-weekbudget.Brilliant.Ofcoursethehomemadeproductshadtobequickandeasytomake,because

Ihadafarmtorunsinglehandedlyaswellasafamilytoorganiseandaregularwritingdeadlinetomeet,whichisallextremelytime-consuming.Icouldn’tbebotheredmuckingaroundwithanythingcomplicated.Igaveitsomethoughtanddecidedthatcheap,effective,homemadelaundry

powderwouldbethefirstproductIshouldlearntomake.Theinternetisawealthofinformationforpeoplewantingtomaketheirown…whatever.IGoogledhomemadelaundrypowderandwasoverwhelmedwiththenumberofsuggestionsandrecipesavailable.However,itwasallabittoogoodtobetrue,assomeoftheingredientswerequestionableandsomeoftheprocessesweretime-consuming.IknewthatifIhadtogratesoapandboilahugepotfullofingredients,itwasunlikelyIwouldmaketheproductmorethanonceasIhadnosparetimeforthis.Perseverancepaidoff:asIreadmoreandmoreinformationanddiscarded

moreandmorerecipeideas,Inoticedacommonthreadrunningthroughallthesuggestions,andInarrowedtherecipesdowntojusttwocoreingredients.IfIcombinedthosetwoingredientsinafoodprocessorandusedthemtowashclothes,whatwouldhappen?Isourcedsomewashingsodacrystalsandyellowwashingsoapand

powderisedthemtogetherinmyoldsecondhandfoodprocessortoseewhatwouldhappen.Thewholemakingprocesstookonlyafewminutesatmost(seerecipeoncleaningproductsandcosmetics).Itseemedludicrouslysimpleand,tobehonest,myexpectationswerelow.Alargeloadofparticularlysoiledfarmclothescameoutsoft,cleanandfresh-smelling,asgoodas(ifnotbetterthan)whenusingcommercialsoappowder.Iwasontosomething.Icouldn’twaittotellthegirlshowsuccessfulmyexperimenthadbeen.Ifeltverypositiveandempoweredatmakingsomethingsowonderfulatafractionofthecostofthe‘boughtstuff’.Spurredonbysuccess,IthoughtaboutwhatotherproductsIwasalways

spendingmyhard-earnedcashonatthesupermarket.WithindaysIhadfigured

outhowtomakecheap,effectivesubstitutesfortoothpaste,shampooandconditioner(seerecipesonshampooandconditioner),aswellasall-purposecleaner,deodorant,airfreshener,flowingsoapanddishwashingliquid,tonamejustafew.Astimewenton,IthoughtaboutalmosteverythingIwenttobuy:couldImakethismyself?Andtheanswerwasusuallyyes.Ilearnttomakebathsalts,bubblebath,lipbalmandmoisturiser(seerecipesonmoisturiser–lipbalm)…andtheendresultswereamazing.Theingredientsforthecleaningproductswerejustbasicthingslikesalt,citric

acid,bakingsodaandwhitevinegar,mostofwhichIalreadyhadinmycupboards.ItmeantIcouldcrosssomanyexpensiveitemsoffmyshoppinglistandconcentrateonbuyingfood.Suddenlythe$100-a-weekbudgetwaseasytoachieve,andmysavingscontinuedtogrow.AtthisstageIhadstartedutilisingtheresourcesthefarmhadtooffer,andeasedthepressureonthebudgetfurtherbykillingabeastforthefreezerandcollectingfreshmilkfromthevat.BecauseIwaswritingaboutthisinthenewspaperandfeltwehadanadvantageoverpeoplewhodidnothaveaccesstosuchfarmingresources,Islashedthebudgetevenfurther,to$75aweek.Despiteincreasingourfamilysizesincethen(Ihaveacquiredason-in-lawandagrandson),wehavestucktothe$75limiteversinceandwillcontinuetodoso–ifnotreducingitevenmore.Thehomemadeproductsweredoingthejobjustaswellforafractionofthe

price,andwewerenowsourcingthebestvalue-for-moneyfood.Itwaseasyenoughtogetbyon$75aweekandstillhaveallthehouseholdcleaningandpersonalhygieneneedscovered,withoutbreakingthebank.TherecipesIdevelopedweresobasic,quickandeasytomakethatIdecidedtowriteabouttheminmycolumn–IknewotherswouldbeinterestedandIwantedtoshare.Tellingpeoplethataproductisquickandeasytomakeisonething;

actuallymakingitinfrontofthemprovesit.SoIofferedaweeklyclasswhere,forasmallfee,peoplecouldcometomyhomeandseetheproductsmadeinfrontoftheireyes,thentaketherecipesandsomesampleshometotry.Iwasoverwhelmedwithpeople,mostlywomen,whowerekeentocomeandseethecleaningproductsdemonstration.Theywereallveryimpressedandtoldtheirfriends,sothewordwasspreading.OnedayIansweredaphonecallfromaniceyoungmancalledClaytonwho

wasenquiringaboutattendingthenextcleaningproductsclass.Ibookedhimin.

ClaytonturnedupwithRobert,acameraman–theywerefromTV3’sCampbellLive.Theladiesattendingclassthatnightgotmorethantheyexpected.Afive-minutesegmentappearedonCampbellLive,showingmemakingtheproductsandoutandaboutona$75shoppingspree.TheygotmetotalkaboutwhyIhadslashedthebudgetsodrastically,andhowpositivethesavingshadbeen.Ididn’tmindbeingonTV–ifotherpeopleemulatedoursuccess,thenthatwouldbeapositivething.Thenextdaysevencalveswereborn–Iwasrightinthethickofcalving,the

busiestandmoststressfultimeofthedairy-farmingyear.Isatdownatthecomputermid-morningforaquickcoffeeandtocatchuponmyemails.Inearlyfelloffmychairbackwardswhen400emailsstartedpouringintomyinbox.PeoplehadseenthesegmentonCampbellLiveandwereaftertherecipes.ThefeatureseditorfromtheTaranakiDailyNewsrangme;shetoowasgettinginundatedwithcallsandemailsfrompeopletryingtotrackmedown.Fieldingmymessageswasstoppingherfromdoingherjob!Itwasmind-boggling.ThatnightaftermilkingIsatdownwiththegoalofansweringatleast50of

thosemessages.IappreciatedthatpeoplehadtakenapositiveinterestinwhatIwastryingtoachieve,andwantedtoacknowledgethem.IntheearlyhoursIhadtogotobed,knowingtherewouldbemorecalvestodealwithandmorecowstomilkcomemorning.Ipressed‘sendandreceive’onelasttimebeforeloggingoff,andtheinboxcounterimmediatelyshotbackupto398.WhathadIstarted?SoIsleptonitandinthemorningtheanswerwasclear.Icutandpasteda

standardreplybacktoalltheenquiries–sendmeastamped,self-addressedenvelopeand$10andIwillpostyoutherecipes.Threedayslatertherewere27stamped,self-addressedenvelopesinthe

mailbox,andtheyjustkeptoncoming.Classeswerebookingupandvariouslocalclubsandassociationswereinvitingmetobeaguestspeakerattheirgatherings.ThatwaswhenIrealisedtherewasabusinessopportunityopeningup,ifonlyIhadthetimetodoitjustice.Awebsiteseemedalogicalsolutiontoansweringpeople’squerieswithout

themhavingtoemailmedirectly.Iwashappytodealdirectlywithrecipesalesandpresentations;andgeneralinformationcouldbesourcedeasilyandconvenientlyontheinternet.UnfortunatelythewebdesignerIrangsaidthecost

wouldbearound$2600.Iwasn’tpreparedtothrowabigchunkofmynewsavingsawayonanovernightsensation,soIshelvedthewebsiteidea.ThatwasuntiloneofDanni’sfriendsfromschool,WilliamLower(william@williamlower.co.nz)suggestedhecouldmakemeawebsiteforamuchsmallercost.Wecalledthesitewww.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz.Today,thesitehashad

over600,000hitswithnopaidadvertising.Fantastic.Thesitehasregularblogstellingthecontinuingstoryofhowwearefaringon

thebudget.Therearefreerecipesandstep-by-stepinstructionsonhowwedidit.AllthecolumnsIhavewrittenfortheDailyNewsaboutthebudgetareontheretoo.Recipepamphletscanbeorderedonlineorbysendingastamped,self-addressedenvelope.PayPalcustomerscanorderelectroniccopiesofthepamphlets,whicharepopularwithinternationalanddomesticcustomers.Commentscanbeposted.For$20,IalsosellcopiesofVickiLansky’sBakingSodabook,whichgotmestartedonallthis,alongwithherequallyinspiringVinegarbook,also$20.AsIcannotphysicallybeineverysmallcommunityacrossNewZealand

promotingthesemoney-savingrecipes,Iofferedfranchisestopeoplewhowantedtohelpspreadtheword.TheseprovedpopularandnowclassesareavailableallaroundNewZealandforpeoplewholiketoseethingsbeforetrying.Allthecontactdetailsoftheclassesareonthewebsite,too.ThefranchisesareevencreepingacrosstheTasmantoAustralia,whereIhaveaMasterFranchiseeinplace,AmandaCritchley(makeaustralia@hotmail.com),whoishelpingspreadthewordinAustralia.PigTitsandParsleySaucealsofeaturesonthesocialmedianetworksFacebookandTwitter,whichcontinuetoattractmanyfansandfollowers.SincemyfirstbrushwithTV,Ihavereceivedmanyinvitationstofeatureon

otherprogrammessuchasTVOne’sGoodMorning,andalsotoappearinmagazinessuchasThat’sLife,LuckyBreakandNewIdea.Thepublicityhasresultedininvitationstospeaktogroupsnationwide,fromInvercargilltoUpperHutttoHastings,Balclutha,HamiltonandKerikeri–allofwhichItrytoaccommodatewheneverpossible.Peoplebookmeasaguestspeakerandtheeveningissometimesusedasafundraiser,orsometimessponsoredbyacounciltopromotesustainablelifestylechoices.CampbellLivefeaturedmeinafollow-

upstoryafterthestrongresponsetothefirstsegmenttheyfilmed.Iwasamazed,asmywebsitegot14,000hitsinthe30secondsfollowingtheclipbeingonair.Sometimesadversitycreatesopportunity,andthankstotheeasycleaning

productsandcosmeticsrecipesIhavedeveloped,Ihavebeenabletoretainmysharemilkingbusinessandremaininthevolatilefinancialfieldofdairyfarming,whichIlove.Westartedthe$100budgetwithagoalinmindofbuyingarentalinvestment

property.However,in2011Ireinvestedallmysavingsbackintomyfarmingbusiness,whichIincreasedby25percent,andmovedontoabiggerpropertyontheEastCoastwhereIcouldown200-pluscows.SincethenIhaveleaseda100-hectarepropertyinNorthlandwhereIhaveincreasedmyherdagainto230cows.NoneofthiswouldhavebeenpossiblewithoutPigTitsandParsleySauce.Agoodthingaboutthislifestyle–apartfromtheobviousfinancialbenefits–

isthatyoualso,almostbydefault,becomeabetterenvironmentalcitizen.Thelowbudgetforcesyouawayfromexpensivepre-packagedfooditems;thehomemadeproductseliminatetheneedtobuyproductsinplasticbottlesandencourageyoutorecycleexistingcontainers;theingredientsposelittlerisktotheenvironment;andyouwillbeamazedathowyourrubbishheapshrinks,significantlyeasingthepressureonthelandfill.Suddenlyyouaresavingmoneyyouneverthoughtyouhad,andlighteningyourenvironmentalimpact.Everybodywins.Thisbookisnotjustfor‘poor’people.PigTitsandParsleySauceisfor

anyonewhoeverwantedtogetaheadinlife,bothfinanciallyandsustainably.Evenbetter,thereisnorealskillinvolved,justthedesiretomakeacommitmentforpositivechangeandthemotivationtosetagoalandsticktoit.

Chapter2

You

GETTINGSTARTED

Gettingstartedonthenew,lowergrocerybudgetiseasy–it’ssimplyamatterofsettingasensible,achievablelimitandstickingtoit.Westucktoourlimitbywritingtheweeklystartingamountonapieceofpaperanddeductingeverygrocerypurchase,whetheritbemoneyspentatthesupermarket,dairy,servicestation,takeawayshoporschoolcanteen.Weevenincludedgifts,stationeryandremediesfromthepharmacyinourbudget.Theaimistomakethebudgetlastforsevendays.Ifthetallyhitszeroand

Theaimistomakethebudgetlastforsevendays.Ifthetallyhitszeroandtherearestilldaysleftintheweekthenthat’sit–youhavetosurviveonwhateveryoucanfindinthepantryorthefridge.Itishardtodoatthebeginningbut,ifyousticktoit,thisprocessgetseasierandeasieruntilitbecomessecondnature.Thegreatthingishowmuchmoneyyoucansuddenlyseebuildingupinyoursavingsaccount.

TITBITSETASENSIBLE,ACHIEVABLELIMITANDSTICKTOYOURBUDGET.

PLANNING

Ofcourse,likeeverything,yourchancesofbudgetingsuccesswillbemuchhigherwithabitofplanning.Askyourselfwhatyouhopetoachievebytakingcontroloftheresourcesyouspendongroceryshopping.

SOMEGENERALREASONSMIGHTINCLUDE:

savemoneyloseweighteatmorehealthilyavoidpackagingreducewastebecomemoreenvironmentallyawarereduceyourenvironmentalimpact.

Myinitialmotivationforslashingourgrocerybudgetwaspurefinancialdesperation,butthelongerwestucktothebudgetthemoreobvioustheotherbenefitsbecame,andeventuallytheseevenoutweighedthepersonalfinancialgains.Thisencouragedustosticktoourbudgetandeventomakefurthercuts.Ifyouareapersonwhofeelsmoreconfidentusinglistsandtimetables,then

byallmeanswriteashoppinglisttosticktoandsetasideaspecialtimetomake

yourhomemadeproductsfortheweek.Youmayliketomakeaposterofyourmotivationfordoingthisandstickitupinaprominentplacetoremindyouandeveryoneelsewhatyouaredoingandwhy.Remember,thisstrictbudgetislikelytobeabigchangeforyouanditisneverharderthanatthebeginning.Dowhateverittakesforyoutosticktothemaingoalthatisyournewlowgrocerybudget.

WHEREAREYOUANDWHEREWOULDYOULIKETOBE?

Itispainful,butimportant,tocheckouthowmuchyouarecurrentlyspendingongrocerieseveryweek.Mostpeopleareawaretheyspendalot,butareunsureoftheexactamount.Prepareyourselfforashock.Mostfamilieshavenoideahowmuchhard-earnedcashisbeingfritteredawaybycarelessgroceryshoppingandimpulsebuying.IhavereadthatNewZealandersasawholespendover$16millionadayonimpulsebuyingalone.Wecan’taffordthis.Internetbankingisaneasywaytomonitoryourcurrentspending,especiallyif

youuseanEftposcard.Otherwise,alookatyourpaperbankstatementsshouldgiveyouaclearpictureofwhatyouandyourfamilyareactuallyspendingatthesupermarket,dairy,servicestationandtakeawayshop.Manypeoplewouldlovetobeabletosaveanextra$50or$100aweek,but

struggletodothis.Whereistheextramoneygoingtocomefrom?Willyouhavetogetasecondjob?Youmayfeelyoudon’tspendenoughtimewithyourfamilyasitis.Youwillbepleasantlysurprisedtofindtheresourcestomakearegular

savingsdepositarealreadyinyourbudget–youonlyneedtodivertthemfromthegrocerybudgetintoyourownsavingsaccount.Ican’ttellyouhowmuchyoucansave.Everyfamilyisdifferent–different

size,differentwantsandneeds,differentresources.Itisuptoyoutodecide:whereamInowandwherewouldIliketobe?

HEREISANEXAMPLE:

Familyoffourpeopleandadog.Currentlyspending$300aweekongroceriesandimpulsebuying.Cutthebudgetdownto$150aweekandsticktoit.Nowsavinganextra$7800ayear.In10yearsthatis$78,000plusinterest–youcoulddosomethingsignificantwiththatsum.

TITBITDIVERTYOURLIMITEDRESOURCESFROMYOURGROCERYBUDGETINTOYOUR

SAVINGSACCOUNT.

SELLTHEIDEATOYOURFAMILY

Everyfamilyisdifferent,butonethingiscertain:everyoneinthefamilymustunderstandwhyyouareslashingthegrocerybudgetbecausetheyaretheoneswhoaregoingtobeaffectedbyit.Ifonlyonememberofthefamilyiskeentoslashthebudgetandstartsaving,andtheotherfamilymembersareresistant,thenyouaregoingtohaveafightonyourhands.Familyharmonyisimportant,somakesureeveryoneisonboard,orisatleastclearaboutwhatyouaretryingtoachieve.Settingafamilygoalwithatimeframeishelpful.Explainyourreasonsforthebudgettotherestofthefamily–forexample:‘MummyandDaddywanttotakeyouallonafamilyholidaythissummer.So

wecanaffordthis,wearegoingtosavemoneybyonlyspending$100aweekongroceries.Thismeansyoumightgettoeatacarrotinsteadofachocolatebiscuitasanafter-schoolsnack,butwewillallgettogocampingtogetherinFebruary.’Youwillbesurprisedhowmostkidswillbuyintotheidea.Kidsarelikelyto

besuper-positiveaboutmakingthings,too,insteadofbuyingthem.Itisusuallyadultswhoresistchange,notchildren.MychildrenDanniandSteviewere16and11whenIslashedourbudgetto

$100aweek.Surprisinglytheynevermissedabeat,althoughourcupboardswerecomparativelyverybareandtheywerebeingaskedtocleantheirteethandwashtheirhairwithbakingsoda.StevieactuallyconfidedinmethatsheusedtobeembarrassedbyhowmuchrubbishIwouldpileintooursupermarkettrolley.Oneofthemaingrocerycutswastreatsforthechildren,soicecreamandcakesandbiscuitsallbutdisappeared,replacedbycheaperfruitandvegetablesandstapleingredientslikeflourandsugar.Steviehasdevelopedintoabuddinghomecookthroughnecessity,andthinksnothingofwhippingupatreatifshewantsone–puddings,cakesandherspeciality,chocolatebrownies.Ittastesbetterhomemade,andifyourdesireforatreatmotivatesyouenoughtowhip

oneupyourself,itissomuchmoresatisfyingthanjustunwrappingsomepackagedconveniencefood.Itisalsoagoodideatoletfriendsandfamilyknowwhatyouaredoingand

why.Thatwaytheyarenotdisappointedwhenthey’renotinvitedaroundforlavishmeals(althoughentertainingisstillpossibleonthebudget).YoucaneasilychangeyourinvitationtoagourmetmealintoaBYObarbecueorpotluckdinner,withoutoffendinganyone.

SETAGOALWITHATIMEFRAME

Adjustingtoaseverelyslashedgrocerybudgetcanbedifficultatfirst,butifyouhavedefinedagoalitmakestheprocessmucheasier.

YOURGOALMIGHTBE:

buildupanestegginasavingsaccountandenjoytheempowermentandsecuritythatcomeswithitstartatermdepositbuyanewhouseorcarinvestinpropertyorabusinessgetoutoftherentaltrapgotouniversitysaveforthetripofalifetimetakeafriendonacruise.

Yourgoaldoesn’thavetobeboring–itisyourmoney,andwhatyouspenditonisuptoyou.Butyoumaybesurprisedtofindyoualreadyearntheresourcestodoit,ifyousimplydivertthemoneyfromyourgroceryspend.

QUICKSUMMARY

Askyourself:whydoIwanttoslashthegrocerybudget?Findouthowmuchyoucurrentlyspend.

Setasensiblebudgetlimit.Getyourfamilytobuyin,andalsotellextendedfamilyandfriendswhatyouaredoingandwhy.Setagoalwithatimeframe.Sticktothebudget.

Chapter3

AdjustingtotheNewBudget

Changingyourhabitsischallenging.Temptationtoslipbackintoyouroldwaysisstrong.Friendsandfamilymaynotagreewiththechangesyouaremakingandmaytrytotalkyououtofit.Ifyouhavebeenbuyinggrocerieswithoutplanningforyears,and

unthinkinglythrowingawayyourlimitedresourcesatthesupermarket,stickingtoastrictgrocerybudgetisboundtobeashocktoyoursystem.Expecttofeelabitofpainwhileadjustingtoyournewfrugalapproachtogroceryshopping.Don’tpanic–thisisnormal,andthegoodnewsisitgetseasierreallyquickly.

Oldhabitsdiehard,andapparentlyittakes21daystoadjusttoanewhabit.Yournewhabitistolimityourgroceryspendingusingwhatevermeansyouhaveavailable.Ifyou(andyourfamily)arereallystrugglingwiththeideaofalimited

groceryspend,setafinitetimelimitonthechange.

TELLYOURSELF,FOREXAMPLE:

Iamgoingtolimitmygroceryspendto$100aweekfor2monthsandsavearound$1600.

Afterthetimeperiodhaselapsed,reassess.Areyoupleasedwiththeresult?Hasyourfamilysufferedinanyway?Chancesareyouhavesavedagoodlumpsumandchangedyourapproachtoshopping.Doyoureallywanttogobacktoyouroldspendinghabits?Theanswerwilllikelybeno–andoncethefamilycanseethehugesavingsyouhaveachieved,theywillbepleasedtocontinuedownthesavingspath.WhenIfirstlimitedthefundsallocatedtogroceryshoppingto$100aweek,I

experiencedfeelingsofpanicandanxiety.Allkindsofworriesoccurredtome.Wouldwebehungry?Wouldthechildrengetsick?Wouldourpeersthinkwewerestrange?Wouldourappearanceandhygienesufferbecausewenolongerpurchasedexpensivebeautyproducts?

Somecommentsfromothersalsobotheredme.Iknowsomepeoplehintedthatitwascrueltothechildren.However,whatistrulycruelisallowingchildrentobelievethatmoneygrowsontreesandthatsupermarketsarethesourceofunlimitedtreats.Undisciplinedgroceryshoppingisaone-waytickettobeingfatandpoor!Luckilyallmyfearswereinvain.Weatejustaswellasbefore,ifnotbetter.

Ourdietimprovedasexpensiveprocessedfoodwasreplacedbyfreshfruitandvegetables,andinsmallerportions.Mostpeoplewereextremelypositive,congratulatedusonoursavingsandwantedtoemulateoursuccess.Wecametorealisetheexpensivebeautyproductswerereallymakingusvictimsofmassmarketing,andourappearanceandhygienecertainlyneversufferedatall.

Eventuallyourfearofchangewasreplacedbyfeelingsofmasteryandaccomplishment–andbestofallwehadasizeablenesteggeverincreasinginthebanktoshowforourefforts.Wearenowappalledandembarrassedattheundisciplinedwayweusedto

shop–whataterriblewasteofmoney,overmany,manyyears.

MAKINGYOUROWNCLEANINGPRODUCTSANDCOSMETICS

Onekeywayyoucangetawaywithspendingonlyasmallamountongroceriesisbymakingyourowncleaningproductsandcosmetics.Youcanusesimple,cheapingredientstomakeyourownproductssuchasshampoo,laundrypowder,toothpasteandsoap.Thisfreesupmostofyourallocatedgrocerybudgettobuyfood.OneofthefirstproductsIlearnedtomakecheaplywaslaundrypowder(see

recipeonlaundrypowder).Iwasimpressedwithhowsimpleandfastitwastomake:onlytwoingredients,andIcouldwhipupenoughfor50loadsinabout2minutes.Atacostofabout5centsaload,ithadeverythinggoingforit.Thefeelingofempowermentandaccomplishmentwasverysweet,andthekidswereimpressed.However,eveninthemidstofallthispositivity,whenIranoutofthefirstbatchofhomemadelaundrypowderIhadthemostridiculousurgetojustgobacktothesupermarketandbuythesameoldbranded,pre-packaged,chemical-ladenlaundrypowderIhadbecomeaccustomedtoovertheyears.Thiswasdespitethefactthatthehomemadepowderwascheaper,easytomakeandworkedaswellastheboughtstuff.LuckilyIhadbeenteachingclassesonmakingyourownproducts,aswellas

writingaboutthebenefitsofitinmycolumn,sothe‘shame’factorofreturningtothesupermarketshelveswashighforme.Iresistedtheurgetoreturntomyoldhabits,andmademyownlaundrypowderforthesecondtime.Thatwasabreakthrough,becausesincethenIhaveneverlookedbackandwillnotbuycommerciallaundrypowdereveragain.So,bewarned:adaptingtoyournewlowgrocerybudgetwillnothappen

overnight,butitwillhappen–andquickerthanyouthink.

EXCUSESIHAVEHEARD

Ilovegettingpositivefeedbackaboutourchangedshoppinghabits,butonecommentIhearalltoooftenissomethinglike:‘Ireallylovewhatyouaredoing

commentIhearalltoooftenissomethinglike:‘IreallylovewhatyouaredoingbutIcouldneverdoitbecause…

Idon’thavetimeIhaveahusbandIhaveateenagesonIhaveababymyfamilywouldhaveafitIhaveyoungchildrenIhaveplentyofmoneywedon’tneedtosaveIworkweliveintownweliveinthecountryweonlyhavetheonesupermarketIusealltheexpensivefacecreams…youknow,thereallygoodstuffetc,etc…’

Theseareprimeexamplesofexcuses.Whatthesepeoplearereallysayingis,‘Ican’tbebotheredtryingtomakeachange.’Irealisethatchangeisdifficult,butifyouhaveafinancialgoalinmind,cuttingbackonyourgroceriesreallyisarealisticanddoablesteptowardsachievingit.Ifyouhearyourmindformulatingexcuses,makeaconsciousefforttoswitchthemoff.Yournaturalreactionmaybetoresistchange.Butifthechangeisforthe

better,leadingtowards:

financialempowermentimprovedlifestylebetterhealthandamoreenvironmentallysustainablelifestyle

…thenitistimetogetyournosetothegrindstoneandforceyourselftosticktoyournewlowgrocerybudget.Itisdefinitelywellworththeeffort.

Chapter4

Action–SomeThingsYouCanDo

GOONAMONEYHUNT

Wehadafamilymeetingbeforewestartedour$100-a-weekgrocerybudget.Themeetingwastomakesureeveryonewasuptospeedwithwhatweweredoing,andourexpectationswereontrack.Someonesuggestedwehuntaroundthehouseandfindanymoneylyingaroundandusethatforourinauguralgroceryshop.Thekidslovedthis,andsearchedforsmallchangeundercushionsandrugs,incoatpocketsandthecar,andcameupwiththewhoppingamountof

$58.Whatagreatstarttoournewfrugallifestyle.

TITBITCOLLECTUPLOOSECHANGELYINGAROUNDATHOME.

EATWHATISONHAND

Wealsodecidedtoeatthefoodwehadonhandinthefridge,freezerandcupboardsbeforestockinguponanymore.Thisisaneye-opener.Wehadsomuchfoodonhand,wereallydidn’tneedtogogroceryshoppingforatleastthreeweeks.Therewerecansofspaghettiandotherfoodstuffsinthecupboardsthathadbeenlongforgotten,cannedasparaguslurkingatthebackofthepantry,andMarmiteopened,overlookedandreplaced.Youhavetoquestionwhyyoukeeponbuyingmorewhenthereisalreadyplentythere.

Don’tgoshoppinguntilyou’vecleanedthecupboardsout,andmakesureyouknowwhatfoodisonhandbeforeyougobuyingmore.Thatwayyoucanpurchaseafewitemstocomplementwhatyouhave,ratherthanoverlookingwhatisalreadythere.Thiscanleadtosomeinventiverecipesbeingtriedandcanbealotoffun.Afterawhileyouwillfindyourselfknowingexactlywhatisinyourpantryandexactlywhatingredientsyouneedtobuytouseupwhatyoualreadyhavebeforestartingafresh.Fortheinternet-savvy,aGooglesearchisafunwaytouseupunusual

combinationsofingredients.Justsearchforarecipeusingtheingredientsyouhaveonhand.Forexample,ifyousearchfortuna,bakedbeans,beetrootandonions,Googlecomesupwithatuna,beanandonionsalad.Ifyouhavealemoninthegarden,youonlyneedtobuyalettuceandthemealiscomplete,withabeetrootsaladontheside.Thinkingoutsidethesquareinthekitchencanbealotoffun,especiallyifyou

involvethefamily.

TITBITGoogleforrecipestouseupingredientsyoualreadyhave.

GOINGGROCERYSHOPPING

Youhavesetasensibleweeklylimitandintendtostickwithit.Nowyouhavetonegotiateyourwayaroundthesupermarket.Onewaytoensureyoudon’toverspendistotakeonlyalimitedamountofcashwithyou.Thatway,ifyoubreakthebudget,thesurplusgoodswillhavetobereturnedtotheshelves.Whilethisismildlyembarrassing,yougetoveritandyourbudgetremainsintact.Supermarketsarehighlyconvenientone-stopshops.However,theyaresetup

totemptyouintobuyingmore.Itisuptoyoutomakesensiblechoicesinthesupermarket–afterall,itisyouwhohandsthehard-earnedcashoverattheendofyourshop.WhenIfirststartedlimitingmygroceryspendto$100aweek,mymain

mistakewastoshopasIhadalwaysshoppedbutjustgetless.IwasnotinthehabitoflookingatthepricesandjustgrabbedwhateverIwantedwhenIsawitrightinfrontofmynose.Istucktothebudgetbutfoundwewereindangerofrunningoutoffoodbeforetheweekwasup.Itdidn’ttakelongtoseetheerrorofmyways.IfoundthatbypayingabitmoreattentiontowhatproductsIchose,mygrocerydollarwentalotfurther.Idonotclipcouponsorevenmakelists,andIcertainlydonottakea

calculatorshoppingwithme.Itdoesn’ttakearocketscientisttorealisethattheadvertisedsupermarketspecialsaremostlyawasteoftimeandasmokescreen,astherearealwayscheapergenericproductsontheshelfifyoulookforthem.Mypersonalruleofthumbistobuythecheapestmostacceptableitem,whichisalmostalwaysahomebrandorbudgetbrand.Forexample,althoughtheremightbeaspecialonforbrand-namespaghetti–3cansfor$5–placedattheendofanaislewhereyouseeitandaretempted,thereisprobablyhome-brandspaghettifor75centsacanonthelowershelvesofthemaindisplay,ifyoucaretolook.Youmightonlyneedtwocans,andcouldwellgetawaywithspending$1.50insteadof$5–that’s$3.50savedalready.Therearenotmanygenericproductsthatmyfamilyhaveturnedtheirnosesupat,andwehavefoundplentythatareasniceasornicerthanthemoreexpensivebrandedproducts.

TITBITBUYTHECHEAPESTMOSTACCEPTABLEITEM.

Thepricesoffruitandvegetablesaredifficulttokeeptrackof,anditcanbehardtoknowifyouaregettingagooddealornot.ItendnottobespecificaboutexactlywhatfruitandvegetablesIneedtobuy.InsteadIkeepanopenmindandjustgetwhateveristhecheapestontheday.Supermarketsusuallyhavesomethingonspecial.Ifyoukeepaneyeoutforvegesandfruitmarkeddownbecauseit’sgettingolderyoucansnapupabargain,aslongasyouarepreparedtouseitupinasouporstirfryimmediately.Theremaywellbemanyotherplacesyoucanshoptoavoidthetemptationsof

thesupermarket–solongasyoudonothavetoexpendtoomuchtimeandpetrolmoneytogetthere.Oftenyourlocalfruitandvegesupplierorroadsidestallwilloffergoodbargains.Iamafanofsupportingyourlocalfruitandvegesupplier–andbutchertoo,ifyouhaveone–asthesetypesoflocallyownedshopsareaninvaluableassettoyourcommunityandneedyourcustom.Sometownsevenhaveapetfoodmanufacturerandsupplier,whichwillbefarhealthierandgivebettervalueforyourpetthanthehugelyexpensive,heavilyadvertisedbrandedpetfood.Somepeoplemakeabigfussabouttheaddedcostofwastingpetroldrivingto

manydifferentshopsinsteadofjustshoppingatonesupermarket.Fairenough.Nooneissuggestingyouwastepetrolinordertosaveafewdollars.However,ifapproachedsensibly,youwillbeabletoalteryourroutinetoincludethecheapershops.OurlocalBinInnisinKerikeri,awinding45-minutedrivethroughthemountains,soobviouslywedon’tjustshootoverthereeverytimeweneedsomething.However,IknowIcangetsomegoodbargainsthere,aswellasfillmyowncontainers–whichisimportanttome.SoifIamgoingtoKerikeriforotherthings,IensureIstockupfrommyfavouritebulkstore.InthemeantimeIgowithoutthethingsIwantandusealternativeingredientsordifferentrecipestogetthrough.Alittlebitofthoughtfulplanningisinvolved,butthatisagoodthing.

Soifyouarethetypeofpersonwhocan’tgoanywherenearthesupermarketwithoutspending$100,justavoidtheplace.Thereareplentyofotherplacesthatsellgood,healthy,inexpensivefood.Youjustneedtoknowwheretolook,andmakethetimetofindoutwhatandwhereisbestforyou.

TITBITIFYOUCAN’TGONEARTHESUPERMARKETWITHOUTSPENDING$100,JUSTAVOID

THEPLACE.

THEREISLIFEBEYONDTHESUPERMARKET

IwishI’dthoughtofthislifestylechangebeforetheageof42.IregretthemanyyearsIhavebeenthrowingmymoneyawayonawholelotoflow-qualitystuffIdidn’treallyneed…Iwantmymoneyback!However,IamgratefulIthoughtofitintheendbecausenowIseemychildrenbenefitingandforminghabitsthatwillstandthemingoodsteadforfinancialsecurity,aswellasleadingamoresustainablelifestyle.ThewayIshoppedpriorto2009wasinadvertentlytrainingmychildreninto

believingthesolutionstoallproblemslayonthesupermarketshelf.Iwasteachingthembyexampletothoughtlesslyfritterhard-earnedmoneyawayonheavilyadvertised,branded,unnecessary,replaceableprocesseditemsthatwerenotvaluedinthehome.Inretrospectitwasabadscene.

Manymainstreamfamiliesarecaughtinthissametrap.IfGrannyisnolongeraroundtotellyoutoleavetheexpensivechemical-ladenplasticbottleofcleaningproductontheshelf,thenwhowillstopthegenerationstocomefrombeingslavestothesupermarket?Thesimpleandeffectiveyetcheapmethodofdoingthingsisindangerofbeinglostforever.Thisappliestohome-cookedmeals(pizzabases,scones,puddingsandbread,casserolesandpies…)aswellashouseholdcleaningaidsandgardentips.Insomehouseholdsthisknowledgeisallbutlostinthemidstofabuyingfrenzyofprocessedfoodandunnecessaryproductsthatarenearlyalwaysnotthemosteconomicorhealthychoice.IfeellikeIhavebrokenacyclethatcouldwellhaveledmychildreninto

poverty.Thepressureisnowoffthem:theydon’thavetoearnfantasticamountsofmoneyinsomeflashcareer,becausetheyknowtheycansurvivequitenicelyonasmallamountofmoney.Naturallytheflashcareerremainsanoptioniftheychoose,butthepressuretoperformiseased.Iftheyarehappylivingmoremodestly,thentheywillhavetheresourcestheyneedtodoit.Ifearforchildrenwithhighexpectationsonlowincomes,orwithlimitedopportunities.Moreemphasisonself-sufficiency,startingathome,willgiveyourkidstheskillstofacetheworldwithfinancialnousandtheconfidencethatcomesfromknowingtheycanlivewellforless,withsparecashtoinvestintangibleassetsratherthanwasteonjunk.Thereislifebeyondthesupermarket,andyourkidsespeciallyneedtolearn

that.

Chapter5

SmarterShopping

Bepreparedwhenyougoshopping.Herearesomehintsforhow:

Don’tgoshoppinghungry.Iftherearecertainfamilymemberswhoalwayspressureyouintooverspending,leavethembehind.Beclearinyourmindwhatyouneed,howmuchyouneedandwhereyouwillgetitfrom.Lookatthepricesofeverythingbeforeyoubuy.Couldyougetasimilar

itemforalowerprice?Atthesupermarketthismayonlybeamatteroflookingdownorupacoupleofshelves,wherethecheapergenericproductsaredisplayed.Onlytakeasmuchmoneyshoppingasyourgrocerybudgetallows.LimitedcashismoreeasilycontrolledthananEftposorcreditcard.

TITBITDON’TGOSHOPPINGHUNGRY.

IhavedevelopedapricelimitthatIwillnotgooverforcertainitems–forexample,$10for10kgofpotatoes.IfIcan’tbuyonthedayforthepriceIlike,Iwillwalkaway;andinvariablyI’lldrivepastaroadsidestandstockingthesamethingatacheaperprice,orpickitupthenextweekonspecial.InthemeantimeIwilldowithoutandsubstitutewithsomethingelse–cannedfruitandveges,pulses,rice,pastaandhomemadebreadaregoodexamples.Youwillfindyouquicklydevelopagoodideaofwhatthingsareworthand

whatyouarepreparedtopay,andwhatisagoodalternativeifitemsarethreateningtoblowyourbudget.Takingthetimetolookatwhereintheworldthevegetablescomefromisalso

interesting.Somefruitandvegeshavebeenimportedfromoverseas,sonowondertheyareexpensive.Seasonallocallysourcedproduceisworthseekingout.

TITBITIFYOUCAN’TBUYONTHEDAYATTHERIGHTPRICE,WALKAWAY.

Ofcoursegroceryshoppingisnotjustaboutfood.Toiletpaperisagoodexampleofanessentialnon-fooditemthatisconstantlybeingreplaced.Checkouttheoptions.Youmaybesurprisedtofindthatthe12budgetrollsyoubuyfromthesupermarketarenotthatgoodadeal:Icanget40rollsofsustainablyproducedloopaperforlessthan$10fromTheWarehouse.Ialwaysstockupon

thiswhenIaminthearea,andIlaughwhenIwalkpasttheexpensivestuffinthesupermarket,especiallywhenitisbeingadvertisedas‘onspecial’.

GROWYOUROWN

Ifyouareconstantlyshockedattheexpenseoffruitandveges,don’tforgetthatwithalittleeffortandorganisationyoucanprobablygrowyourownathome.Againitdoesn’thappenovernight,butitdoeshappen.Getthekidsinvolvedifyouareshortoftime.Gardeningisapositiveandhealthypastime.Thecostofseedsandequipmentcanbeincludedinyourbudget,ifyou

choosetodoso–itisyourbudget,sothatchoiceisovertoyou.Wetrytoincludeallpurchasesforthegardeninthebudget.Thisencouragesustobemoreinventiveatrecyclingfreestuffforgardenuse,ratherthanbuyingtrellisandcompostandthelike.Ifyouareluckyenoughtohavefruittreesonyoursection,makesureyouusethesetobestadvantage,too.Ifyouhaven’tgotthem,planaheadandplantsomeforfutureenjoyment.

MEATANDPROTEIN

Thewaywethinkaboutmeathasreallychanged.Pre-budgetIwouldjustgotothesupermarketandbuywhatevermeattookmyfancy.Meatisnowmuchlessaffordableandisnolongeramust-haveforeverymeal.Vegetarianmealscanbedelicious,fillingandreallyaffordable.Iwasbroughtuponanold-fashionedregimeofmeatandthreeveg–ifyoudon’teatyourmeatyoucan’thaveanypudding.I’mnowpleasantlysurprisedathowhealthy,nourishedyetnotoverburdenedIfeelaftereatingameat-freemeal.Thesedays,Ithinkofmealsintermsofaproteinplusveges.Themorefilling

proteinmaynotnecessarilycomesolelyfrommeat.Itmaybesourcedfromfish,eggs,dairyproducts(cheese)orpulses(beansandpeas).Smallerportionsofless-expensivemeatcutscanbebulkedupwithadditionalspuds,bread,dumplings,rice,pastaorpulses,andflavouredwithadelicioussauce.Crumbingmeatisagreatwayofmakingsomethinggofurtherandaddingsomethinginterestingtoameal(seerecipeoncrumbforchops/wienerschnitzel/chicken/veges).Wecertainlyhaven’tcutmeatoutofourdiet,butIthinkwearemuchmore

sensibleinourapproachtowhatexpensiveprotein,andhowmuchofit,weincludeinameal.

includeinameal.

BULKBUYING

Sometimesbulkbuyingcanbeagoodwaytosavemoney.Oftenthesmallerthepacket,thedeareranitemisperunit.However,alimitedgrocerybudgetmayleavelittleroomtomanoeuvreonthis.Ifyoufindabulkbuythatisgoingtosaveyoumoneyandyouaresureyou

willusetheitemandnotwasteit,thenIsaygoforit.Ibought500teabagstheotherdayfor$12,whichI’msurewasagoodbargainalthoughittookabigchunkoutofthatweek’sbudget.Ingredientslikeflourandsugararealsocheaperin5kgbagsifyoushoparound;andI’msuretheyarecheaperagainin20kgbags.Makesureyouaregettingagooddeal,though,bycomparingthecostagainstthesmallerquantities.Onceyouhavepurchaseda25kgbagofbakingsodafor$24,youwillbeaghastathowmuchischargedforasmall500gboxofthesameproduct.

Usetheinternetandaskaroundforwaysofsourcingwhatyouneedatacheaperprice.Youmaybeabletogainaccesstofoodandproductwarehouses,orfindothersourcesofthegoodsyouneedonline.Attheveryleast,thisexercisewillgiveyouapricecomparisonsoyouarebetterabletorecognisea‘gooddeal’.Doyouevenknowwhatthethingsyoubuyareworth?Here’saninteresting

exercisetotry.

WRITEDOWNFIVEITEMSYOUAREALWAYSBUYING,LIKE:

toothpastelaundrypowderloafofbread500gbutter5kgflour

Whataretheseworth?Haveyougotanyidea?Ifyoudon’tknow,findoutandtrytokeepthepricesinmind.Then,ifyouseetheitemanditismarkedupbeyondbelief,youwon’tbetemptedtobuythereandthenatastupidprice.Andrememberthat,forlittleeffort,youcanmakeatleasttwooftheseitemsvery,

verycheaplyathomeusingbasicingredients(seerecipesoncleaningproductsandcosmetics).Anotherapproachistodecidewhatyouwouldbepreparedtospendonthese

items.Setalimit–forexample:Irefusetobuybutterifitisover$3.99.Iwouldrathergowithout(abitironicforadairyfarmer!).Thegoodthingisthatyouoftenfindbutterfor$3.99orless.WhenIdofindit,Ibuythreeorfourblocksandfreezethem.AsadairyfarmerwithaccesstofreshmilkIcanmakemyownbutter,butit

mainlyreinforceshowhighthequalityofourlocallyproduceddairyproductsreallyisandhow,evenatpricesperceivedtobeexpensive,NewZealandbutterisgoodvalueformoney.Ittakesalotofmilktogetthecreamneededtomake500gofbutter.

TITBITBUYCHEESEANDBUTTERONSPECIALANDFREEZETHEM.

WASTEREDUCTION

Wehavediscoveredthatsincewelimitedthegrocerybudget,ourrubbishpilehasallbutdisappeared.IbuyalotofitemsfromBinInnstoreswhereyoucanrefillyourowncontainers,whichcutsdownonexpensivepackagingandisagreatwayofeasingyourenvironmentalimpact–asfarasthelandfillisconcerned,anyway.Wenowsteerawayfromover-packageditems.Onethingthatirksmeisfruitandvegesthatarepackagedinplastic.

Sometimesthelettucesarewrappedinplastic,orevencomeintheirownlittleplasticbag,butwerefusetobuytheminthisstate.Thefunniestoneisthebananaswrappedinplastic–whyonearthwouldpeopledothatwhenbananascomeintheirownnaturalprotectivewrapping:thebananaskin?Theplasticwrapalladdstotheexpense,andthenmustbedisposedof.Ifconsumersfocusedonbuyingeverydayproductswiththeleastpackaging,manufacturerswouldbeforcedtorevisittheirpackagingmethods.Thepositiveenvironmentaleffectwouldbehuge–butwearejustsimplythoughtless,andmostofustakewhatwearegiven.

Ourlowbudgethasforcedustobuyingredientstomakeorbakeourownmealsandtreats.Mostoftheingredientscanbepurchasedwithlittleornopackaging.Intimeyouwillbegintoseethroughthefancypackagedtreats–potatochips,canneddrinksandbottleddrinks,biscuits,cakesandcereals–andrecognisethemaspoorvalueformoney.Themoneyinvestedinbranding,advertisingandfancypackagingishuge;thebenefittotheconsumerisminimal.Themostrubbishmyfamilycreatesnowiscans/tinsandthesecanberecycledatthecurbside.Greenwasteorfoodscrapsistheotherformofrubbishthathasdiminished

rightdowntoalmostnothingathome.Whenfoodislimitedyoureallybegintovalueit,andutiliseasmuchasyoucan.Thisisreflectedinthewaythevegetablesandfruitareprepared–peeledandcoredcarefullywithminimalwastage,tocarefullymanagedportionsizes.Leftovers(araresightthesedays)arereusedthenextdayratherthanbeinglefttofesterinthefridgeandeventuallyturfedout.Ourglobalconsciousnessisalsoprickedaswespareathoughtforpeoplein

countrieswherefoodisscarce,whonevergettheopportunitytospendanymoneyongroceriesandwhosubsistonnexttonothing.Ifyouarefindingitdifficulttovisualisecuttingyourfamilygrocerybilldownto$100aweek,takeamomenttowonderwhatthefamilieswhosubsiston$1adaywouldthinkofyou.It’scertainlyfoodforthought.

TOPTITBITFORGROCERYSHOPPING

HereisasummaryofTitBitforgroceryshoppingaspublishedonmywebsitewww.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz.TheseTitBitwerepublishedin2009andIfeeltheyaretriedandtrue,soIhaven’tchangedthem.

WORKOUTHOWMUCHYOUARECURRENTLYSPENDING.BEHONEST!

SETASENSIBLELIMIT(E.G.$100AWEEK).

STAYOUTOFTHESUPERMARKET.INVESTIGATETHECHEAPERALTERNATIVES–BININNOROTHERBULK-BUYOUTLETS,BUTCHERSFORMEAT,ANDFRUITSHOPSANDSTANDSFORSEASONALFRUIT.

VEGESCANBEGROWN.

IFYOUHAVETOGOTOTHESUPERMARKET,WRITEALISTOFEXACTLYWHATYOUNEEDANDSTICKTO

IT.

IFTHEKIDS/PARTNERPRESSUREYOUINTOOVERSPENDING–ANDKIDSAREEXPERTSATGETTINGAROUNDTHEIRPARENTS–LEAVETHEMATHOME.

TAKECASH.IFYOUONLYHAVE$100INYOURPOCKET,YOUCAN’TOVERSPEND.

KNOWWHATTHINGSAREWORTHANDLOOKFORTHECHEAPESTACCEPTABLEALTERNATIVE.

LOOKONTHELOWERSHELVES:THETEMPTING,EXPENSIVE,LUXURYITEMSAREATEYE-LEVEL.

FORGET’SPECIALS’:THEREAREUSUALLYGENERICITEMSAVAILABLEATLOWERPRICESTHANTHOSE

ADVERTISED.

TAKETIMETOTHINKBEFOREYOUSHOP–YOU’LLBEAMAZEDATHOWMUCHMONEYYOUCANSAVE.

LISTS

Everyhouseholdhasdifferentneeds,sothereislittlepurposeinprovidingscreedsandscreedsofliststofollow.Mymottois:getwhateveryouwantinthegroceries,aslongasyoudon’tgoovertheweeklylimit.Whenyoudoblowthebudgettheblowoutamountisdeductedoffnextweek’sspend,soifyouaccidentallyspend,say,$120thisweek,thennextweekyouwillonlyhave$80available.Thatcertainlyteachesyoutosticktoyourlimit.Hereisabasicrun-downofthekindofitemsourgrocerymoneyisspenton

weekly.Inourcupboardweaimtohavethefollowing,andwetopthisupwiththe

$75-a-weekbudgetwhennecessary:cansofcreamedcorn,cansoftomatoes,pasta,rice,flour,rawsugar,bakingsoda,whitevinegar,butter,cheese,milk(free–abonusofbeingadairyfarmer,asisfreshmeat),chicken,freshseasonalfruitandveges(alsowetrytogrowvegesourselvesandpickfruitofftreeswheneverwegetachance),spuds,eggs(wehavechickensbuttheyareprettyuseless),cookingoil,seasonings,pulses(lentilsandbarley,etc),chickpeas,cannedfruit(e.g.peachesorpineapple),budgetbread.Wegettoiletpaperina40-rollpackfromTheWarehouse.Wedon’tbuypadsandtampons,aswehavepurchasedthereusableandenvironmentallyfriendlyDivaCup.Dittonappies–weusereusable,environmentallyfriendlyclothnappies.Areporteroncesentmealistofwhatshethoughtastandardfamilywould

probablyspendongrocerieseachweekandinvitedmetoslashit!Ididthis(andleniently),savingaconsiderableamount.Itremindsmeofwhenweusedtogogroceryshoppingpre-budget,orin‘thebadolddays’,aswesayforafamilyjoke.Theinteractionwiththekidswouldconsistofthemgreasinguptomefor

treats–‘CanIhave…CanIhave…’–andmeusuallygivinginandsayingyestomostrequests.Nowadaysthekidsconcentrateonfindingthecheaperitems.Theyreadlabels

andconsiderpacketsizescomparedwithpriceandaremorelikelytobearguingforputtingsomethingbackontheshelfratherthanaddingittothetrolley.It’samazinghowwehavechanged.Whenyourkidsaresayingtoyou,‘Whyareyoubuyingthat?’or‘Doyoureallyneedtwoofthat?Here’sacheaperone,Mum,andit’sbigger,’thenyouknowyouhavesetthemagoodexample.

HEREISTHEORIGINALLISTIWASSENT(PRICESASAT2012):

2lettuces$2.98each1headcauliflower$2.982headsbroccoli$2.99each3kgpotatoes$5.981.5kgcarrots$3.982kgapples$3.982bunchesbananas$3.49each2.4kgoranges$6.583x2lofPamsmilk$4.08each6loavesSunnyCrustbread$1.98each2blocksAnchorbutter$4.18each500gMainlandcheese$6.982x6-packFresh’nFruityyoghurt$3.48each12-packTastinutbars$7.172xSileniwine$11.98each6-packMac’sbeer$13.982x8-packSizzlerssausages$3.34each1wholefreshchicken,size16$12.52428gPAK’nSAVEbrandpremiummince$7.26200gPamsbacon$3.58750gWeet-Bix$3.4812-packCottonsofttoiletpaper$5.982x20-packbudgetnappies$5.42each120gColgatetoothpaste$2.812xbudgetcannedtomatoes$0.93each

2xbudgetcannedtomatoes$0.93each100gNescafécoffee$4.98350gFarmbakecookies$3.2170gTasticashewnuts$1.642x150gBluebirdchips$1.64each500gPamsjam$2.84550gDolmiopastasauce$2.981kgbudgetlong-grainrice$1.08500gbudgetpastaspirals$0.51

TOTAL$209.48

Imanagedtoalmosthalvethatbill,bringingitdownbyapproximately$92,andthatwaswithoutreallytrying.Itwasatruereflectionofhowwehavechangedourattitudetowardswhatisnecessary.

HERE’SACOMMENTARYONTHECUTSISUGGESTED:

Getonelettuceonly.Geteithercauliflowerorbroccoli–notboth.(Varietyiswhathasreallysufferedundertherestrictedgrocerybudget.Toomuchvarietyismoneywasted.Ifyouonlyhavethecauliflower,thenpeoplearen’ttemptedtochoosebetweenbroccoliandcauliflower.Ifyougetsickofone,buytheotheronenextweek.Youarerunningtheriskofthrowingoutawilted,brown,overlookedbroccolihead,butifthereisonlycaulifloweravailable,thenyouwillbegladtoserveit.)Thepotatoeswouldbehalfthepriceifpurchasedinabiggeramount(10kgbag)andmadetolastfortwiceaslong.Carrotsarefine,butyoumightgetthemcheaperatalocalfruiterer–orgrowyourown.Gettheapplesortheorangesorthebananas–againtoomuchvariety.Trycannedfruitinschoollunches–buythecheapest.Milkisfine–Iwouldnotscrimponmilk.Therearemanythingsonthislistthatcouldbescrappedtopreservethemilkpurchase.Powderedmilkisacheaperwayofbuyingmilk–wearefortunateinNewZealandtohaveaccesstofreshliquidmilkandsomaynotthinktoconsiderthatasa

cheaperoption.Thebreadisfine.Itcanbepurchasedfor$1.69aloaf,ormadeathomeifdesired.Butter–Iwouldonlygetthisifitwas$3.99orless.Cheese–youcanusuallyget1kgblocksfor$9.99,whichwouldbecheaperperkg.Yoghurt,wine,beerandnutbarsarenotessential.I’dscrapthemall.Buyingredientsandmakeyourownnutbarsandscroggin(seerecipeonscroggin)forschoollunches–waycheaperandnopackaging.Idon’tbelievealcoholshouldappearonafamilygrocerylistorbeavailableinsupermarkets.Sizzlerssausages–Iwouldconsidervalueformoneyhereanddirectthemeatbudgettowardsahigher-qualityproduct.Chicken–youmaybeabletogetmorechickenforlessmoneyifyoupurchasedabonedvariety.Minceisfine,butgetthecheapestoption.Checkitoutatthebutcher’s.Baconisunnecessary.RolledoatscouldbesubstitutedforWeetbix.Porridgeisacomplete,healthyandcheapbreakfastfoodandcanbemadereallytastywiththeadditionofdriedfruitandnuts–boughtcheaplyatthebulkfoodstore,ofcourse.Thetoiletpaperisverynecessarybutcanbepurchasedmuchcheaperelsewhere–shoparound.Useclothnappies.Theyarecheaperandanenvironmentallysoundchoice.Youcanmakeyourowntoothpasteequivalentforabout10cents(seerecipeontoothpaste).Budgetcannedtomatoesarefine.Coffee–isitreallynecessary?Trybakingyourowncookies.Youcangetbettervaluecashewnutsatabulkfoodmarket.Potatochipsareunhealthyandunnecessary.Youcouldtrymakingyourownifyouaredesperateforthem.Jamisfinebutonlyifyouhaverunoutofspreads.Makeyourownif

youhavetheresources.Usethecannedtomatoesandabitofonionorgarlictomakeyourownpastasauce.Budgetriceandpastaarefine.

Nowthelistisslashed,itmaygiveyouaninsightintohowyourthinkingmaychangewhenyoulimittheresourcesspentongroceries.Thenextchallengewouldbehowtomakethoselimitedresourcesgoasfaraspossible.

CUPBOARDLOVE

AsasingleworkingmumIamconstantlyguilt-ridden.Aremychildrenlefttotheirowndevicestoomuch?AmIexpectingthemtobeunreasonablyindependentasIstruggletomakealivingandraiseafamilyatthesametime?IsuspectIassuagedmyguiltbyspoilingmychildrenatthesupermarket.

BeforethebudgetIwouldsayyestoanyrequestsforanything–usuallygut-rotintheformofchocolatebiscuits,flavoureddrinks,thelatestnoveltyfruitbar,icecreamorchips.Mykidslearntabouttheseproductsthroughadvertisingandcharmedmeintobuyingthem.Iwasasofttouch,makingupformyabsenceinthehomebyfillingupthecupboardswithjunkfood.Thisapproachtoshoppinghadgoneonformanyayearandnodoubtwasamajorcontributortomyfinancialmeltdown.NowIamshowingmykidshowmuchIcarebylimitingtheamountspentandbymakinghealthychoices.Theyappreciateit,too.

Thishasalsospilledoverbeyondthegrocerybudget.DanniandSteviearenowawareofenergyconsumption,willarrangetripstotowntominimisefueluseandwilltakeaseriouslookatsecondhandclothesatopportunityshopsandon

andwilltakeaseriouslookatsecondhandclothesatopportunityshopsandonTradeMeiftheyareinneedofanything.

PRESSURE

Thereispressureonwomentobegreatmothersandgreatwivesandgreatcooksandgreatentertainers–justreadanywomen’smagazine!Ontopofallthatwehavetolookimmaculateaswellasconjureupgourmetmealsandbeautifulbakingatthedropofahat.Youmightnotthinkthatyourespondtothatpressure,butIbetyoudo.Ithinkmanyofourbuyingdecisions,fromcolouringourhairtoshavingourlegstotakingvitaminpillstotheingredientswebuytomakethemealsthatwedo,areasaresultofpressurefromadvertising.Whoareyoutryingtoplease?Yourhusband,yourchildren,yourrelations,yourfriends,RonaldMcDonald?Whenyoumakethedecisiontoslashyourgrocerybudgetyouhaveone

goalinmind–tosavesomemoney.Therewillbenosparemoneylefttopleaseanyoneelseortorespondtopressurefromadvertisers.Recognisethisforwhatitisandfocusonwhatisimportant.Suddenlymanyproductsyoumighthavepurchasedunderthepressureofadvertisinginordertopleaseotherswillnolongerseemdesirable,andthatisagoodthing.Sticktoyourbudget.

Chapter6

ANewWayofThinking

RECIPES

Althoughyouwillfindafewrecipeideasattheendofthebook,thisisnotabookaboutrecipes.Therearehundredsofrecipeseverywhereforeverything–theinternet,libraries,andthebestonesofallarethefamilyrecipestriedandtrue,lovedbygenerations–soyoudonotneedmetoprovideanymoreofthese.

PigTits&ParsleySauceisaboutchangingyourapproachtogroceryshopping.Itismoreaboutattitudeandpositivesolutionsthanjustrecipes.Ihavecometoviewmanyrecipesasamarketingtooldesignedtopushyouintobuyingexpensiveandunusualingredients,mostofwhichareunnecessary.Tipsandrecipeshavetheirplace,butawholelotofideaslistedinabookcan

becometediousandconfusing,weighingyoudownandstoppingyoufromdoingit.PigTits&ParsleySauceisaboutmakingpositivechangeswithfavourablefinancial,healthandenvironmentaloutcomes.Keepingitsimpleisthebestapproach.Ifthechangesyoumakeareclearandsimple,thechancesofthembecomingyournewhabitsarehigh.ThatiswhyIdonotclipcoupons,readthesupermarketspecialsadvertisingortakeacalculatorshopping.Isimplylimittheresourcesavailabletobuygroceriesandstickwithintheselimits.Peopleoftensaytome,‘Butwhatdoyoubuy?’Myanswer,‘Anythingwewantaslongasitiswithinthebudget.’

TITBITLIMITTHERESOURCESAVAILABLETOBUYGROCERIESANDSTICKTOIT.

Thishascausedmetolookforothersolutionstoourconsumption(food)wantsandneedssoIcansatisfymyfamilyandstillremainwithinthespendingparametersIhaveset.Generallythishasmademeexamineoureatinghabitsmorecloselyandquestionwhywebuyandconsumeorwastethefoodwedo.Mydrivingforceistofeedandmaintainthefamilyforlessthan$75aweek;however,caremustbetakenthatnutritionandhealtharenotcompromised.Luckilywehavediscoveredthatlimitingthemoneyspentongrocerieshasactuallyforcedusintobettereatinghabits,ratherthanworse.Vegetablesandfruitarecheaperthanmeat,sothebalanceofwhatwespendhasshiftedtowardscheapersourcesofproteinsuchasnuts,eggs,beansandpulses,andweputmorethoughtintoourmeatpurchases,choosinghigher-qualitymeatandmakingitgofurther.Portioncontrol,orbeinglessgreedy,alsocomesintoplaywhenthereisa

limitontheamountspentonfoodandthereforeontheamountoffoodavailable.AsachildImetaMalaysiantouristwhomadeacommentthathasstuckwithme.Shequietlysaid,‘Kiwigirlgreedy,greedy–shetaketwowhenone

me.Shequietlysaid,‘Kiwigirlgreedy,greedy–shetaketwowhenoneenough.’Ibelievethatmaybetrue.Itrytocookjustenoughperpersonpermealandavoidhavingleftovers,

whichinvariablygotowaste.Ifsomeonetakesmorethantheirshare,someoneelsemissesout–sopeoplesoonbecomeconsciousofonlytakingtheirfairshareofwhathasbeenprepared.Ifsomethingisleftoverthenyoucanalwaysgobackforsecondsaftereveryonehashadtheirmeal.PersonallyIknowIeatalittlelessthanbeforewestartedthebudget–butIstilleatplenty!

TITBITAIMTOCOOKONLYENOUGHFOREACHPERSONPERMEAL.

IfIhaveonepieceofsteakinsteadoftwo,Ifeelcomfortablyfull.IfIrushonwitheatingtheextrapieceofsteak,20minuteslaterIknowIhaveovereaten–butitistoolatethen,thedamageisdone.Ihavebeentoldthatyourbrainregistersthefoodinyourstomach20minutesafteryouhaveeaten,sothereisadelaybetweenfoodgoinginyourmouthandthebrainacknowledgingthefoodisinyourstomach.Ifyouareawareofthat,youarelesslikelytoovereatbecauseyouknowwhentostop–beforeyoufeelfull.Iusedtobeatwo-steakgirlbutnowweareonthe$75-a-weekgrocerybudgetandareforcedtomaketheexpensiveproteingofurther,I’mdefinitelyaone-steaker.IfIhavebulkedthesteakupwithveges,rice,grainsorpastaIamsometimesevenahalf-a-steakerandthereisnoharmdonetomebythat.Ihavelostalittleweightoverthepasttwoyears,butnotmuch.Thethingis,atmyagemostofmypeersaregainingweight…I’mhopingthebudgetmightkeepthatmiddle-agespreadatbay!

SCHOOLLUNCHESANDFAMILYFOOD

SchoolluncheswereproblematicwhenIfirstsetoutwithmylimitedgrocerybudget.ThiswasmainlybecauseIhadfallenintothetrapofbuyingsmallpacketitemsatthesupermarketwhichweremarketedtomyfamilyaseasyschoollunchboxsolutions.SoinsteadofmakingsandwichesIwasfillingthepantrywithpackagedsnacksandthechildrenwouldgrabthesefortheirlunchboxes.Nutritionallythesewerenotthebestchoices,andenvironmentally

theycreatedalotofwastewithunnecessarypackagingtobedisposedof.Financiallytheywereexpensive.Sowhenwecrackeddownonthebudget,thelazyschoollunchboxsnackshadtogo.WhenIwasachildinthe’70sMumneverfilledmylunchboxupwithsmall

packageditems.ApacketofraisinsisaboutallIcanrememberhavinginmyprimaryschooldays,andthatwasatreat.Mumgaveussandwiches,apieceoffruitandsomehomebaking–cake,biscuit,muffinorloaf.Sowereturnedtotheoldways.I’mnotanenthusiasticbaker,soifthekids

wantedasweettreattheyhadtomakeitthemselves.Theysoonlearnedtodothis.Icanassureyouthattheingredientsforbasicbakingaremuchlessexpensivethancommercialcakesandbiscuits.AttheendofthisbookIhaveincludedsomeofMum’seasyandcost-effectiverecipestogetyoustartedifyouarenotabaker.YouwillalsofindsomeoftherecipesmydaughterStevieuses(seerecipesonmeals,treatsandsnacks).IoccasionallybuyslicedhamforStevietomakehamsandwichesorpizzafor

asnackorschoollunch.Ihavefoundthatthecheapestwaytobuynicehamisfreshatthesupermarketdeli.Thepackagingisminimalandyoucanspecifyhowmuchyouwant.Itisoftenonspecialandalwaysway,waycheaperthanthepacksofhamfromthechiller.Thatisanexampleofhow,evenatthesupermarket,withalittlethoughtyoucanfindthesameorasimilaritemunderthesameroofforalotlesscost.AnotherfunnythingIdidwasmakethekidstakeacanoffruittoschoolfor

lunch,andacanopener.Thisideawasgreetedwithderision–howembarrassingforthem,theywouldstickoutasdifferent.Butcansoffruitareareallyhealthyandnutritiousadditiontoaschoollunchandalsoveryinexpensive,soIgavethemabudgetcanofpineapple,fruitsaladorpeachestotake.Iwasinterestedinthereactionfromtheirpeers.Wouldtheybebulliedforhavingsomethingunusualforlunch?Myfears(andtheirs)wereunfounded:theotherkidsthoughtitwasgreatandbeforelongtheytooweretakingcansoffruitforlunch.Ilaughedwhentheladywhoranthecanteenmentionedtomeyearslaterthatkidswerestillcomingintothecanteenaskingtoborrowthecanopenerbecausetheyhadforgottentobringonetoschool.

Homemadescroggin(seerecipeonscroggin)isrelativelyinexpensivetomake,particularlyifyoubuytheingredientsfromabulkfoodsellerandfillyourowncontainer.Variousnutsanddriedfruitssuchascashews,cranberriesandpapayaaregoodvalueatBinInnandeveninthebulksectionofsomesupermarkets.Evenhigh-pricedluxuryitemslikecashewnutsandpeanutscanbesourcedverycheaplyifyouknowwheretogo.Cashewpieces,whichareagreataccompanimenttosaladsandstirfriesaswellasinscroggin,canbesourcedatBinInnforafractionoftheusualpriceatsupermarkets.Ifyouwanttobeextravagantandaddchocolatechipstoyourscroggin,don’tjustjumpinandbuythefirstpacketofchocolatechipsyoucanfind:lookforthecheapestoptionandcomparethepergramprices.Theremightbeacheaperwaytobuythechocolate,eveninthesamesupermarket,intheformofbuttonsorevenablockofcookingchocolatefromthebakinggoodsdepartment.Somethingmightbeonspecialonthatdaythatwillsuityourneeds.Don’tpanicifyouthinkthissoundstime-consuming.Thefirsttimeyoudotheexercise,sure,ittakesalittletime.Butonceyoudiscoverwhereyoucansourceingredientssomuchcheaper,andonceyousetalimitinyourheadthatyouwillnotspendover,thenexttimeyouwillknowexactlywheretostartlookingforthebestvalue.Thismaybeassimpleaslookingonlowerorhighershelvesforasimilaritematacheaperprice,oritmightmeanreviewingwhereyoushopforcertainitems.Steviemakesafantasticoatyslice(seerecipeonoatyslice)forschool

lunches,andIlovetakingapieceortwoovertotheshedinthemorningasatreatduringmilking.Therecipecallsfordriedapricots.Thefirstdriedapricotsyouseeontheshelfatoursupermarketareorganicandcostabomb.Wecan’taffordthem.Asearchoftheshelvesrevealsanotherbrandataround$5.00apacket,andabudgetvarietyat$3.00–onlytherewerenoneinstock.

ResourcefulStevielookedabitharderandfounddriedpeachesfor$2.50,sowehappilygotthoseinstead.Freshfruitplaysabigpartinahealthyschoollunch–includeacrispyapple

oracrunchycarrot.Addsomehomemadepopcorn,justforfun.Onceyouhaveseenhowcheaplyyoucanbuypoppingcorninbulkandhoweasyitistomakeityourself,youwillkickyourselfforeverbuyingpre-poppedpopcorn.Homemadeissomuchyummier,too,andafunlearningexperienceforthekids.IhavediscoveredthatsomeingredientswhichIthoughtweretooexpensive

canbesourcedverycheaply.Forexample,freshgarlicandgingerarereasonablypricedatoneofourlocalfruitandvegeshops.TheyalsohaveafantasticrangeofsaucesthatIcouldnoteasilyorcheaplymakemyself,whichaddflavourtootherwiselow-costingredientssuchasavegestirfry.Ricesticksandricepaperarealsoexceptionalvalue,andmeanIcanaddexotictouchestomyfoodwithoutbreakingthebank.

DRINKS

Oncetheamountallocatedtogroceryspendingislimited,youwillfindyourselfhavingtochoosebetweenwhatyouwant,whatyoureally,reallywantandwhatyouneed–insteadofjustbuyingeverythingyoutakeafancytobecauseitisrightthereontheshelf.EarlyoninourbudgetIdecidedtostopbuyingjuiceandsoftdrinks,astheseitemsarereallynomorethanfancycolouredwater,arehugelyexpensiveandmostlycomeinplasticbottles.Ofcoursewinewasalsoontheboycottlist–Icouldhardlyjustifyspendingmoneyonalcoholwhenthekidsweresacrificingtheirowntreats.Andsothedrinksinourfamilywerelimitedtowaterandmilk.Thishassavedusalotofmoney.Initiallywegotabitthirstyaswewerenotinthehabitofdrinkingwater,butwequicklyadjusted.WearesofortunateinNewZealandtohaveclean,freshdrinkingwateravailableontapinourhomes–somethingwetakeforgranted.IreadrecentlyinaNationalGeographicthatinmanypartsoftheworldwomenwalkupto10miles(about16km)everydayforwater,andthewaterisoftendirty,pollutedandunsafe.Theirwholeliferevolvesaroundfetchingwatertokeeptheirfamilyalive.Ithinkwebecomealittlebitaddictedtothesugaryrushwegetfrommost

softdrinks.Butifyoudecidetogowithout,afterafewdaysofwithdrawalsymptomsyourthirstbecomeswellquenchedwiththebestandhealthiestdrink

intheworld–water.Asmytasteshavechanged,sweetfizzydrinkshavebecomeabitrepugnanttome.ItendtoorderanapplejuiceorapineapplejuiceforatreatoccasionallywhenI’mout,orIjuststicktowater,savingmeheapsofmoney.

TITBITSTICKTOWATERANDYOUCAN’TGOWRONG.

Hotdrinkscanalsoeatintothebudget.Wehaveusuallygotcocoaonhandforbaking,andthatisanicehotdrinkforthekidsiftheyfeellikeit.However,teaandcoffeearepurelytreatsforMum,andIdomybesttolimitmyselftoeitheroneortheother.Teabagscanbepurchasedreasonablycheaply,butinstantcoffeerangesinpricehugely.Ihavestruggledtoeliminatecoffeefromthebudgetcompletely–itisquiteanaddiction.PeerpressurealsomeansIliketohavecoffeeonhandtooffertovisitors.Needlesstosaycafécoffeehasbecomearareandexpensivetreat,butthatonlyincreasesthepleasurewhenIoccasionallygettheopportunitytoindulge.Seriously,though,payingupto$4or$5foracoffeeatacaféisridiculous.IamnowcultivatingthehabitoftakingaflaskofinstantcoffeeifIthinkI’llbewantingonewhileI’moutandabout.

SPUDS

Traditionallyweusepotatoes–mashed,roast,chippedandboiled–tobulkupmealsandfillourselveswithsomethingrelativelycheapandeasytoprepare.Thatiswhyabigbagofspudsisalwaysonmyshoppinglist.Ofcoursemarketerstrytomakeusspendmoreonspudsthanweneedto.Youcanbuygourmetspuds,prewashedspuds,precutandfrozenchips,evenpremashedspuds.OnthePigTitsbudgetyoudonotfallintothistrap.Buy10kgofspudsfor

$10orlessandwashandpeelthemyourself.Makethekidsdoitifyouarebusy–it’sgoodtrainingforwhentheyleavehome.Homemadechips(seerecipeonhomemadechips)areafirmfamilyfavouritearoundourhouse,andthekidsoftencookupafewasasnackiftheyarefeelingpeckish.Steviehasagreat

potatobakerecipe(seerecipeonpotatobake)withcheeseandonion,whichweoftenenjoyasanentiremeal.Ofcoursepotatoesarealsoeasytogrow,sogetmotivatedandplantsome

seedpotatoesinthegarden.Wehavehadgreatsuccessgrowingthemintyres.Newpotatoesservedwithaknobofbutterandasprigofmintarearealtreat,especiallyiftheyarehomegrown.(Moreaboutgardeningcominguponpage98.)

THOSELESSFORTUNATE…

Ihavefoundmyselflookingatthesolutionsthatpeopleincountrieslessfortunatethanoursusefortheirfoodchallenges.NotthatIwanttosendanyoneonaguilttrip,butotherfamiliessurviveonsomuchlessthanwedo.Theymaketheirownstuffbecausetheyhaveto.Otherculturesallhavetheirownslantonmakingfoodgofurther–oftenusingstaplessuchasriceandbeans,grains,floursandbreadstostretchoutameal.Interestinglyenough,byusingsomeoftheseideasyouwilloftenendupwithamoreinteresting,exotic,fillingmealthatisalsocheaper–awin-winscenario.

TITBITLOOKTOOTHERCULTURESFORINTERESTINGFOODSOLUTIONS.

Lookforsimplesolutions,likeusinghalfasmuchmeattomakeacasseroleandaddinganingredientlikechickpeastosoakupthesauceandaddtexture.Youcanthengettwoormoremealsoutofyourmeatpack.Weusechickpeasasasubstituteortobulkupmoreexpensiveprotein,e.g.inatunasaladorcasserole.DriedchickpeascanbepurchasedinbulkatashopsuchasBinInn.Theyare

easytostoreuntilyouneedthemandyouarenotbuyingandhavingtodisposeofunnecessaryandexpensivepackaging.Cannedchickpeasarealsoreasonablypriced,evenatthesupermarket.Ofcoursethecasserolecanthenbeservedonabedofrice,whichwillsoak

Ofcoursethecasserolecanthenbeservedonabedofrice,whichwillsoakupthesauceandfillbelliesinaninexpensive,tastyway.Itisalsothetypeofdishthatcanbereheatedforlunchthenextdayortakentoworkinacontainertosaveyoubuyingexpensivelunchesduringtheweek.Manypeoplesaytomethattheycannotcutdownontheirgrocerybudgetas

theyhaveahungryhusbandandteenagesons.WhileIappreciatethismaybeamoreexpensivefamilytosatisfy,adifferentapproachtotheuseofproteinintheirmealscouldmeantheycanhavetheirbig,fillingmealandeatittoo.Youcanmakeithealthierandlessexpensivebybulkingitupwithotherformsofprotein,spudsandbreads,couscous,quinoaorbeans.Pastasauceisanothertrap.Pre-budgetIalwaysusedtobuyjarsofpastasauce

toaddtominceforaquickmealsolution.NowIbuyacanofbudgettomatoesandaddmyownonions,mushroomsandherbstomakeareallydeliciouspastasauce…andthenrecyclethetin:perfecto.

BREADS

Whenyou’relookingforsimple,inexpensivewaysofmakingamealgofurther,breadspringstomind.Breadsarereallynothingmorethanaglorifiedmixofflourandwater.Youcanspendafortuneonbreads,especiallywithtemptingfreshbakerydepartmentslurkinginmanysupermarkets.Surprisingly,breadsaretheeasiestthingtomake.Iusedtospendafortuneonflatbreadorwraps(seerecipeonflatbread)atthesupermarket(kidsnaggingmefortheirlunches);however,alittleresearchontheinternetandsomeinspirationfromwatchingfoodshowsonTVhasledmetodiscoverthatthereislittlemoreintheseproductsthanflour,saltandwaterwithmaybealittleoil,milkorbutter.Theycanbejazzedupwithgarlicorherbsandspices.Itissomuchcheapertobuyflourandmakeyourown–andyouavoidallthepackagingandthebigpricethatcomewithbreadspurchasedoffthesupermarketshelf.Thesamegoesforpizzabases(seerecipesonpizzabase).WhydidIeverbuy

these?Flour,saltandwaterandmaybealittleyeastcanbemadeintoaperfectlyrespectablethinpizzabase–somethingmydaughterfoundoutbyaccidentonetimewhenourcupboardwasabitbare.Themaineventonapizzaisthetopping,notthebase.Abasicsconerecipecanalsobeusedforamoreupmarketpizzabase(seerecipeonpizzabase).

Ofcourseyoucansavemoneyjustbymakingcheaperchoices.Inowbuythelowest-pricedbudgetbread.Pre-budgetIusedtobuyfancierbreadswithseedsandperceivedhealthbenefitsmarketedatmeonthepacketandonTV,sometimesspendingover$5aloaf.Therearehugesavingstobemadehere,merelybychoosingasimpler,cheaperproduct.Youcanjazzupthebreadwithatoppingorfilling.Andifyouaredesperateforfancierbread,haveagoatmakingyourownandaddingtheseeds,nutsandfruityoudesire.Frenchtoast(seerecipeonfrenchtoast)isacheap,healthyandfilling

breakfastidea–asyouwillprobablynolongerbeabletofitexpensivepre-packagedbreakfastcerealintoyournewlimitedbudget.Breadcrumbscanaddtastybulktocheapercutsofmeatsuchasshoulder

chops,chickenorbeefschnitzel,andeventosomevegeslikeonions.Crumbedonionringsarecheapandeasytomake(seerecipeoncrumbedonionrings).Crumbsalsomakefishgofurther;andhomemadefishandchipsaremuchcheaperandyummierthantakeaways.Isavetheheelsfromthebread,freezethemandusethemforcrumbingasneeded.Eggsincrumbcoatingcanbereplacedwithmilkoroilifdesired,withnoproblems.Crumbingmeatcanmakeitgotwiceasfarandyouendupwithacheaperandmoreinterestingmeal.Herbs,nutsandfinelychoppedvegetables(spinachoronions)canbeaddedtothecrumbforvariation.

TITBITFREEZEANYLEFTOVERBREADENDSANDUSETHEMTOMAKECRUMBEDMEAT,

FISHANDVEGES.

APPLIANCES

Morefrugalthinkingwithyourgrocerychoiceseventuallyleadstoyouquestioningmanybuyingdecisions.Muchofwhatwebuyisaresultofadvertising,whichsubtlyandnotsosubtlyseparatesusfromourhard-earnedcash.Here’sanexample.InmylifeIhavepurchasedthreetoastedsandwich

makers.ThefirstwaswhenIfirstsetuphome–MumandDadhadatoastiepiemakerandIthoughtitwasanessentialitemforthekitchen.Overtimethisgotwreckedandreplaced.ThenGeorgeForemanadvertisedhisgrill,whichwasno

wreckedandreplaced.ThenGeorgeForemanadvertisedhisgrill,whichwasnomorethanaglorifiedsandwichmaker,soIrushedoutandboughtthattoo.Iwasreallypleasedwithmyself,Irecall.WherethoseappliancesarenowIdon’tknow–wehaveshiftedafewtimes

sincethen.Anyway,thepointisyoucanmakeaperfectlyfinetoastedsandwichinafryingpan–eitherelectricorstovetop–withoutthehassleoftryingtocleananintricateapplianceafterwards.Thosetoastedsandwichmakersprobablyowemearound$350andattheendofthedaywillfinishupclutteringupalandfill.Itisjustonemorethingwethinkweneedinlivesalreadyfullofunnecessaryappliances.Whowouldhavethoughtalimitedgrocerybudgetwouldmakemerealisethat?Ofcoursethatthinkingdoesnotendwithtoastedsandwichmakers:younameitandsomeonehasmadeyourlife‘easier’bydesigninganunnecessaryappliance–popcornmaker,cupcakemachineandicecreammakeraresomeexamplesthatspringtomind.Didyouknowyoucanbuyameatmarinator?Oryoucouldjustuseabowl!

VARIETY

Onethingthereisdefinitelylessofatourhousewithalimitedgrocerybudgetisvariety.Takesugarasanexample.Whenwefirstwentonthe$100-a-weekgrocerybudget,therewasnoneedtobuysugarformonthsbecauseIhadstockpiledsomanyvarietiesofsweeteners–tablesugar,brownsugar,coffeecrystals,castersugar,honey,maplesyrupandicingsugarwereallinourcupboard.WithlimitedfundsIquestionedtheneedtohavesucharangeavailable.Imainlyusesugartosweetenhotdrinks,whicharealuxuryinthemselves,andsooncethecoffeecrystalsandwhitesugarweregone,Istartedsweeteningmycoffeewithbrownsugar,thenworkedmywaydowntothehoney,andthenreplaceditallwithwhitesugaronly.IhadnevergivenanythoughttowhyIhadsomanyvarietiesofsweetenerinthehouse;andonceIdidthinkaboutit,Irealiseditwasextravagant.Occasionallythekidswanttomakeacakeorusearecipethathasaspeciality

sugarinitandofcourse,ifitisnecessary,Iwillfititintothebudgetonthenextgroceryshop;however,wemakesureitisallusedbeforeanothersweetenerisbought.Beforerunningoutandbuyingaproductweaskourselves,‘Dowereallyneedit?Canitbesubstitutedwithanotherproduct?Canwechangeitorchoosearecipethatusesingredientswealreadyhave?’WeusuallybuyoursugarinbulkbyfillingacontaineratBinInn,which

WeusuallybuyoursugarinbulkbyfillingacontaineratBinInn,whichsavesusalittleoncostandsavestheenvironmentalotinpackaging.It’salsoagoodwaytobuyflourandotherbasicingredientssuchasstock,herbsandspices.

Chapter7

OtherAdvantages

PACKAGING

Whenwefirstlimitedourselvesto$100aweekforgroceries,ourmainmotivatorwastheneedtosavesomemoneyfast.However,astimepassedInoticedsomethingelsewasoccurring.Ourrubbishpilehadshrunk.WhenIhadnocontroloverthegrocerybudgetwewerepickingtheeyesoutofwhatwe

boughtandliterallythrowingtherestaway.Wewouldbeeatingcakewhilethebreadwentmouldyinthecupboard.Ihadthebest-fedchooksintown.Nowwemaketherightamountforteaandifitisnotconsumedatthatsitting

itwillbeeatenforlunchorresurrectedwiththenextmainmeal.Thechickensarenowsurvivingontruescraps–vegetablepeelingsandverythinapplecores.Ifreezethebreadendstouseforcrumbingandstuffing.Sothereareessentiallynolongeranyfoodscrapsintherubbish.Thismeansthemuchsmallerrubbishbagnolongersmellsbad.

Withtheworldpopulationrecentlyreachingsevenbillion,food–orratherlackofit–isbecomingmoreandmoreatopicalissue.Itissadtothinkthatthereisplentyoffoodforallbutmuchofwhatisproducediswasted.Collectivelywedolittletodirectlyhelpthoseinneed;however,atanindividuallevelwecanallstopwastingfood–andsaveourhouseholdsmoneyatthesametime.Havinganawarenessofwastageandtrainingourchildrennottobewastefulisasmallstepintherightdirection.Ifeachandeveryhouseholdinthedevelopedworldbecameconsciousoflimitingthemselvestoenoughfood,ratherthangoingoverboardandwastingtheexcess,theglobalconsequenceswouldbepositive.Wemightnotfixtheplanetovernight,butwecanlookafterourownfamiliesinourownbackyard.

TITBITTHEBESTPLACETOSTARTLIVINGMORESUSTAINABLYISATHOME.

Ourrubbishhasbeenfurtherdiminishedbyourincreasedawarenessofpackagingandadesiretoavoidexcesspackagingasmuchaspossible.Thisworksoutwellonthe$75-a-weekgrocerybudget,asyourabilitytoafford

preparedandpre-packagedfooditemsisseverelylimited.Onceyourealisethepositivebenefitsthisholdsforyourfamily,thechangeisablessing.Howmuchareyouspendingonpackagingeverytimeyoushop?Spendingmoneyonpackagingislikethrowingmoneyaway.Youbuygoodswithexpensivepackaging,thenyouthrowtheexpensivepackagingawayandpayfortherubbishtobedisposedof.

Rubbishdisposalwillcostyou,eitherdirectlythroughratesandlandfillfeesorindirectlyasthefutureenvironmentalimpactcatchesupwithyourchildrenoryourgrandchildren.Ifyoumustbuyfoodproductswithpackaging–andyouwillbeamazedathowmuchyoucanavoidifyoutry–gofortheoneswithrecyclablepackaging,suchasacanorrecyclableplastic,cardboardorpaper.Betterstill,choosethenakedproductsandsendamessagetothemanufacturersthattheyneedtolookoutsidethesquareandfindwaysofdeliveringtheproductwithoutcreatingunnecessaryimpactontheenvironment.Thepersonwhomakesthegrocery-buyingdecisionsandfindstheeveryday-livingsolutionshasahugeinfluenceonthehouseholdbudget–andonthehousehold’senvironmentalimpact.Ifyoumakethelittleeverydaydecisionswisely,thensomeofthebigimpactswilltakecareofthemselves.SincelimitingthegrocerybudgetIalwaysaskmyself,Dowereallyneed

that?ThenIask,CouldImakethatmyself?Theanswerisusuallyyes.ThenIsourcereasonablypricedingredients,usingmyowncontainerswhenpossible,andmakemyownversion–andit’susuallybetterthanaboughtoneanyway.Thetroublewithboughtthingsisthatthemanufacturerisalwaystryingto

keepthecostoftheingredientsdown,whilestilltryingtoconvinceyouitisahigh-qualityproduct.Theyconvinceyouthroughadvertising–whichultimatelytheconsumerpaysfor–andbymakingitlookattractivewithpackaging.Takeapacketofbiscuits,forexample:youarepayingforsexypeopleinaTV

adtopretendtheirlivesaremadecompletebyeatingthebiscuit;youarepayingforattractiveplasticpackagingwhichyouthenthrowaway;andyou’repayingahighpriceforsomethingyoucouldhaveeasilymadeyourselfbymixinga

concoctionofflourandsugar,butter,etc.Thatis,ifyoureallyneedabiscuitthatbadly–maybeyoucouldhavehadanappleoracarrotinstead.IwoulddearlylovetomakeaTVadthatshowsabeautifulmodelwashing

herhairwithbakingsoda,orusingwhitevinegarasasprayconditioner,justtoshowpeopletherearealternativewaysofdoingthings.Thisadwouldshowyouhowtosaveliterallythousandsofdollarsoveralifetime,andatthesametimeavoidpollutingtheplanetwithscoresofplasticbottles.

Chapter8

Gardening

MybestadvicetothebuddinghomegardenerisJUSTDOIT.Inmyfamilywearenotgreatgardeners,wearenotexpertsandwedonot

spendmuchtimeinthegarden,yetweareabletogrowbasicvegetablesandheapsofthem,whicheasesalotofpressureoffthegrocerybudget.Ifyouareluckyenoughtohaveplentyofspaceavailableforagarden,then

awayyougo.Ifyouarestrappedforspaceyouwillhavetobemoreinventiveandmakethemostofwhatisavailable.Youmayhavetohaveacontainergardenorwindowboxesoraroofgardenorawallgarden–butifyouthinkoutsidethesquareyoushouldbeabletoutilisesomespacesomewheretogrowsomething.Someareasprovideasharedspacecalledacommunitygarden–find

something.Someareasprovideasharedspacecalledacommunitygarden–findoutifthereisonenearyou.Theinternetisaninvaluableresourceforideasandifyouarenotinternet-savvy,thengotothelibraryandlookupsomebooksongardening.

Keepitsimpleandplantthingsthatareeasilygrowninyourarea.Yourlocalcommunitygardengroupwillknowwhatwillgrowinyourareaifyouarenotsure,andifyouhavethetimetojoinsuchagroupyouwillfindtheylovetosharetheirknowledgeandexperience.

TITBITMAKEFRIENDSWITHYOURLOCALGARDENGROUP.

Potatoesareeasytogrow.Othervegeswehavehadsuccesswithincludecorn,onions,capsicum,lettuces,cabbage,carrots,spinach,pumpkinandzucchinis.Wehavegrownthesefromseed,whichisthecheapestway;butseedlingsarealsoinexpensivewhencomparedwiththecostofbuyingvegetables.Ihavegrownpumpkinsandcapsicumsfromseedssourcedfromtheprevious

season’scrop.Potatoesthathaveaccidentallysproutedinthebagcanalsobeplanted.It’sfuntoplayaroundandexperimentwithseedsandplanting:youwillbedelightedwhenoneofyourexperimentssucceeds.Aslongasyouhavesoilandwateryoushouldbeabletogrowsomething,evenifyouareabeginner.Themoresuccessyouhave,themoreyouwilllovegardening.

TITBITPLANTTHINGSTHATAREEASILYGROWNINYOURAREA.

Isuggestpeoplelookatwhatvegetablestheirfamilymemberspreferandhaveagoatgrowingthese.Tomatoes,lettuces,onionsandcapsicumwerealwaysontheshoppinglistatourhouse,andwehavefoundthatwecangrowthesereallyeasilyfromeitherseedorseedlings,andmakesomehugesavings.Theenjoymentofgrabbingfreshsaladingredientsstraightfromthegardenisunbeatable,andyourhomegrownproducealwaystastessomuchbetter.Weedingandwateringaretasksthatneeddoingbutareeasilyincorporated

intoyourdailyroutinesotheydonotbecometooonerous.Itpaystosetthegardenupsothesetaskscanbeperformedeasily,withahosenearbyandafewbasictoolsthatmaybepurchasedsecondhand.Youdonothavetogotomuchexpensetosetupagoodpracticalvegegarden.Foodscrapscanberecycledascompostforyourgarden.Ihavediscovered

thatwasteproductssuchasbananaskins,eggshellsandteabagscanallbedugintothesoiltodecomposeandimprovethesoil,whichalsoeasespressureonthelandfill.Anamusingthingaboutgardeningisthatunlessyouareparticularlyskilledat

‘staggering’yourcrops,invariablyyouwillhaveaglutofproduceallreadyatthesametime.Toomanycabbagesandlettucesreadyatoncecansometimesoccuratourplace.Ifyoureallycannotinventrecipestouseallofyourproduceinsoups,sauces,relishes,stirfries,cakesandmuffins,orsimplyfreezethem(andofcoursesomethingsdon’tlendthemselvestothis),thensimplygivethemaway.IhaveapolicyofneverturningdownanythingIamgiven,evenifitissomethingIdonotthinkIcanuseeasily.Wastenothing.Ifyougiveawayyourextravegetablestoneighbours,friendsandfamily,oneoftherecipientsmightonedayreturnthefavour.

TITBITFREEZESURPLUSVEGETABLESWHENPOSSIBLE.

OnceyouhavethePigTitsattitudeinplace,youwillbesurprisedhowlittlegoestowaste.Cabbage,spinach,eggplantandzucchinimakeexcellenthealthybasesforstirfryvegetablesthatwillcomplementanymeal.Aglutoftomatoescanbecookedandfrozentobeusedinsteadofcannedtomatoesintheoffseason.Beans,peasandcarrotscanalsobefrozenandusedlater.Weevenfreezeeggs,becauseourchickensareeitherlayinglikemadornotatall.Isimplybreakthesurpluseggsandfreezetheminarecycledplasticbreadbagorinasmallplasticcontainerwithalid;theyareeasilyreconstitutedandusedinapie,quiche,mayonnaiseorforbaking,atalaterdate.

TITBITFREEZEEXCESSEGGS.

Ifyouareluckyenoughtohavefruittreesinyourgarden,makesureyouusethemtoyouradvantage.Activelyseekoutrecipesandideasforpreservingthefreefruit.Makeyourownjamsandjellies–wastenothing.Ifyouhaven’tgottimetospendonpreservingthebountyofyourgarden,thenmakesometime–getupearlier,orstopwatchingTV.Ifyoufeelenviousofotherswithfruittrees,planaheadandplantsome–thatwayyouwillhavetherewardsinthefuture.Andifyoumoveonandareunabletotakethetreeswithyou,thenthinkpositivelyaboutthebountythatsomeoneelsewillappreciate.Mydreamhouseisonewithestablishedfruittrees–thatwouldbelovely.Inthemeantimewehaveplantedcitrus–lemons,limesandmandarins–agrapevine,guavas,tamarillosandsomeraspberryandblueberrybushes.Theseedlingswerefairlyinexpensivetobuylocallyandwearelookingforwardtosomelovelyfreshfruitandfruitcrumbles,cakes,saucesandmuffinsinthefuture.Encourageyourchildrentogetintogardeningaswell.Ifyoucancapturetheir

imaginationbyshowingthemhowtogrowsomethingfromseed,nurtureit.Ifyoucanteachthemaboutthejourneyoffoodfromgardentoplate,youwillhaveinstilledinthemaninvaluablelifelesson.Delicious,nutritious,healthyfooddoesnotnecessarilyhavetocomefromashop.WerecentlymovedfromTaranaki,wherewehadestablishedafruitful

garden,totheCoromandel,wheretherewasnothing.Thegardenwassorelymissedandnoticeablepressurewentonthegrocerybudgetaswewerebuying

missedandnoticeablepressurewentonthegrocerybudgetaswewerebuyingvegetablesthatwehadbecomeusedtoreapingfromourownpatch.However,weboughtcheapseasonalvegestotideusthroughandmanagedtosticktothebudget.Despitebeingverybusywehave,inafewshortmonths,plantedpotatoes,springonions,corn,spinach,cabbages,parsnip,carrots,beansandpeas.Happily,injustthesefewshortmonthsourgardenisbackonline,already

supplyinguswithcabbage,springonion,eggplantandspinach–thebasisforadeliciousstirfry.Themoneywesaveonbuyingvegeshasbeenspentonbeautifulflavouringstoaddthatspecialsomethingtoourgardenproduce.FishsauceandchillisauceareavailableverycheaplyatourlocalAsianmarketandIcombinetheseflavourswithfreshgarlic,ginger,honeyandcitrus,alongwiththevegetablesandacanoftomatoes.ThisThai-stylestirfrymaybeservedwithriceorpasta,couscousorquinoa,orbread,tomakeahealthy,yummymealforverylittlecost.Allthankstothevegegarden.

OUTINTHEWILD

Dependingonwhereyoulive,youmaybesurprisedatthefreefoodyoucansourceinthegreatoutdoors.Wearefortunatetobedairyfarming,whichgivesusaccesstostreamsandnaturalareaswhichcanyieldarealbounty.Inthepasttwoyearswehavebeenluckyenoughtohaveaccesstowildmintandwatercressfromastream.Thesamestreamalsoyieldedwhitebaitinseason,whichwecouldcatchandcookintodeliciouspatties.Wehavecollectedwalnuts,mushroomsandblackberriesgrowingwild.Wealsohaveafennelbushgrowingnearourhouse.Fennelisgenerallyregardedasaweed,butIhavepurposelynotsprayeditandnowhavefreshfenneltoadddistinctiveflavourtocasseroles,stuffingandstirfries.Thepropertywearefarmingonnowhasoldestablishedorangeandgrapefruit

trees,sowithalittleeffortonourpart–involvingaladder–wehaveaccesstofreshfruitmostoftheyearround.Thesearenotasbeautifultolookatasstore-boughtfruit,buttheycanbesqueezedtomakelovelyfreshjuicethatcanalsobeusedinplaceofanycitrusjuiceinrecipes–andthefruitisgreatformarmalade.It’snotallaboutfood,either.Obviouslymyherdofcowshasanendless

supplyofnutrientsforthegarden;andwehaveplentyoffreewoodwecancollectforheatingthehouse.Youmightnotbeasfortunateaswearetoliveclosetonature,butI’msureif

Youmightnotbeasfortunateaswearetoliveclosetonature,butI’msureifyouputyourmindtoityouwillbeabletothinkofasourceoffreefoodnearyou.Itmightbeaseasyaspickingwildfruitorcatchingafish.Sogiveitsomethought;youcouldbesurprisedattheresourcesyouareoverlooking.

TREATS

Aslongasitiswithinbudget,wecanstillhavealmostanythingwewant–sowhenthekidsaskforicecreamstheanswerisnotalwaysno.Whenyouhavedeprivedyourselfofatreatforawhile,theenjoymentyougetoutoffinallyhavingitispriceless–it’salmostworthgoingonabudgetjusttoappreciatethetreatsinlife.

Chapter9

MakingYourOwnCleaningProducts

BAKINGSODAANDWHITEVINEGAR

Iwentoutflattingatage18andstartedbuyingmyowngroceries.Iwas42bythetimeIfinallyrealisedthatIcouldhaveusedbakingsodaforalmostallmyhomecleaningandpersonalgroomingneeds.Thatwas24yearsofspendingliterallythousandsofdollarsontoothpaste,shampoo,soapandplasticbottlescontainingvariouscleaningproductsforbathroom,kitchen,windows,floors,tiles–younameit,Iprobablyboughtthecleaningproductforit.IfonlyIhad

knownIcouldtakecareofthoseneedswith25kgofbicarbonateofsoda(bakingsoda)at$1akiloandsomewhitevinegarat$1alitre,whilekeepingmycashinmyownpocket.Advertisinghashadahugeinfluenceonmybuyingdecisions.TV

commercialsencourageyoutopurchaseeverydaythingstofixproblemsaroundthehome,suchaskeepingtheplacelookingandsmellingclean;ortosolvepersonalhygieneissuessuchasbodyodour,badbreathandunattractivehair.Theadvertiserssaytheyhavetheperfectsolutionforallofourproblems,andtheygotohugeexpensetodelivertheirmessagetous.Likelemmingsweflocktothesupermarketandbuy,buy,buyalltheproductsthatwehavebeenpromisedwillmakeourliveseasier.Manyofthesolutionsarepackagedinattractivelycolouredplasticbottlesand

soldunderabrandname.Theyareformulatedwithpleasingfragrancesthatalluretheshopperandwootheolfactorysensestoencouragethemtobuyagain.Weusetheseinourhomesandonourbodiesandwespendthousandsofdollarsinoureffortstomakeourselvesandourhomeslookandsmellnice.Wearebeingledbythenosetobuychemicalcocktailsthatweknowlittleabout.Butthegoodnewsiswedon’thavetobuytheseexpensiveproducts.I’mkickingmyselfthatittooksolongformetodiscoverthejoysofbaking

sodaandwhitevinegar.Actually,IamannoyedthatIfellforallthemarketingandbrandinghypeandgaveallmymoneyawayforallthattime.TheonlysavinggraceisthatIcancarryonfortherestofmylifekeepingmyhard-earnedmoneyinmyownpocketinsteadofgivingitawaytothefacelessmanufacturerswhohavebeenrippingmeoffforyears.AndIcantrytoteachmykidstheerrorofmywayssotheydon’tfallintothebrandsandmarketingtrap.Homemadecleaningproductsarenotsexy.Tobehonest,I’mboredstiffwith

tipsandhintsandintense,hairy-armpittedwomentellingmetoaddadropofeucalyptusoiltomylaundryandsometeatreeoiltomyall-purposecleaner.I’mbusy.Houseworkisannoyingenoughwithoutaddingtotheworkloadbyhavingtomakeawholelotofstuffyourself.Iwanttogetonwithlife…Butitdoesn’thavetobelikethat.WhenIfirststartedtakinganinterestinkeepingmygroceryspenddownto

$100aweek,therewasobviouslynoroominthebudgetforoverpricedandoverratedbrandedcleaningproducts.Ifweranoutoftoothpaste,shampooandlaundrypowderinthesameweek,thentherewasaround$25lesswehadto

laundrypowderinthesameweek,thentherewasaround$25lesswehadtospendonfood–andlet’sfaceit,whenyouareonlylivingon$100–oreven$75–aweek,youwanttogetasmuchfoodinaspossible.Wisepeoplesuggestedtomethatbakingsodawasacheapersolutiontomost

homecleaningproblems.Mostpeopleknowyoucancleansomesurfaceswithbakingsoda,andsomepeopleknowitgetsridofmanyodours–butbakingsodahassomanymoreusesthanthat.Here’salistofsomeproductswedonotbuyanymorebecauseweusebakingsodainstead.A25kgbaglastsusforoverayear,andwhenyouseeallthejobsitdoes,youwillrealisewhatextraordinarilygoodvalueformoneybakingsodais.

BECAUSEIUSEBAKINGSODATOGETTHEJOBDONE,INOLONGERBUY:

shampoosoaptoothpastefacialcleanserexfoliantbathroomcleanerkitchencleanersilvercleanerkittylitterfabricsoftenerdeodorantscourerstainremoverfootpowdercarpetcleanertoiletcleaner…

Thereisnoneedtolearnfancyrecipesoradddropsofessentialoilsorfragrances–justsprinkleonthebakingsodastraightfromthepacketandgetthejobdone.Whatcouldbesimpler?GetacopyofVickiLansky’sbookBakingSoda:Over500Fabulous,Fun&FrugalUsesYou’veProbablyNeverThoughtofandkeepithandytoreferto.Andcheckoutthesimplerecipesattheendofthisbook.

TITBITGETYOURHANDSONVICKILANSKY’SBOOKS:BAKINGSODA:OVER500FABULOUS,FUN&FRUGALUSESYOU’VEPROBABLYNEVERTHOUGHTOF,ANDVINEGAR:OVER

400VARIOUS,VERSATILE&VERYGOODUSESYOU’VEPROBABLYNEVERTHOUGHTOF–BOTHAVAILABLEFROMwww.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz.

Forsomereasonpeopletrytomakethingsmorecomplicatedthannecessary.Isay,keepitsimple.Thereisnopointinthrowingawholelotofmoneyatasimplehomecleaningproblem.Trytosolvetheproblemwithasimple,cheapsolutionusingbakingsodaorasimilaringredient.Ifitdoesnotwork,youhavelostnothing.Ifitdoeswork–andinvariablyitwill–youhavesavedapacket.

BAKINGSODAFORWASHINGHAIR

Ihaveusedbakingsodainsteadofshampoosince2009.Onceyoustopusingcommercialshampooyou’llneverwanttobuyitagain.Weareinundatedwithadvertisingsellingusthevirtuesofvariousbrandsofshampoo.Themodelsintheshampooadshaveimpossiblybeautifulhair,soshinyandlustrousandfake…Noone’shairreallylookslikethat.Wearetrainedtothinkourhairhasindividualneedsthatcanbecategorised

intodry,oilyandin-between.Flyaway,splitends,eventhedreadeddandruff,allcanbesolvedbythrowinggoodmoneyataplasticbottlefilledwithchemicals.Thechemicalsaredisguisedwithprettycoloursandfragranceswhichweputonourownhairandourchildren’s.Sometimesahairdresserwouldtalkmeintoamoreexpensivebrandof

shampoo;othertimesIwouldgetitfromthesupermarketshelves.Allcameinaplasticbottle,whichIwouldthrowawaywhenitwasempty.Ihavetalkedtosomemotherswhobuyarangeofshampoos:theyhavetheir‘special’expensiveversionthatthehairdresserrecommended;thekidsandhusbandhavesomecheapsupermarketbrand;andtheteenagedaughterhastohavesomethingelseagain.Thatisalotofexpenseforcleanhair.ThefirsttimeIwashedmyhairwithbakingsodaIthoughtIhadlostmy

mind.Iwasrubbingthiswhitepowderintomywethair,andofcourseitwasn’tfrothingupbecauseitisonlybakingsoda.Itfeltabitweird,verydifferentfromusingshampoo.Itwaseasyenoughtorubthebakingsodainandmassageitthroughmyhairandscalp.OnceIrinseditoutIcouldalreadyfeelthatmyhairfeltcleanandsoft.Ifollowedupthebakingsodawashwitharinseofwhitevinegar,sprayedonusingaspraybottle.Thevinegaractsasaconditioner.OnceIhadmassagedthevinegarin,Icouldfeelitwashavingthatconditioningeffect

Ihadmassagedthevinegarin,Icouldfeelitwashavingthatconditioningeffectandmyhairwouldbeeasytostyleafterwashing.IimmediatelyknewIwasontoagoodthing.Whenyouusebakingsodaandvinegaryourhairretainssomeofitsnatural

oils,whichisreallypositive.Beingclosertoitsnaturalstatealsoseemstominimisetheoccurrenceofdryscalpanddandruff.InolongeruseanystylingaidsasIamgoingforamorenaturaleasy-to-maintainstyle,soIhavethrownallthegelsandmousse,dyesandsprayawayalongwiththeshampooandconditioner.Myhairhasneverlookedorfeltbetter;itiscleanandshiny.Peoplecomplimentmeonitallthetimeandtheycan’tbelieveitwhenIsayIhavechangedmyregimentojustbakingsodaandwhitevinegar.Forsomereasonpeoplefearthesmellofwhitevinegarwillbelingeringintheirhair,butthisisabsolutelynotthecase.Anyvinegarysmelldissipatesimmediately,leavingmyhairfreshandclean-smelling.Igotmyhaircutatthehairdressertodayandaskedthegirlwashingmyhairifshenoticedanythingdifferentaboutit.Aftershesaidno,IrevealedIhadonlyhadshampooonmyhairtwiceinthelasttwoyears.ShewasamazedwhenItoldherIhadjustbeenusingbakingsodaandwhitevinegarinsteadofshampooandconditioner.Ihaveonlyalimitedknowledgeoftrichology(thestudyofthehealthofhair

andthescalp),butIbelieveshampooisslightlyalkaline,whichiswhyitcleansdirtoffahuman’sslightlyacidichair.Shampoodoesthisbyopeninguptheporesandlettingthedirtout.Bakingsoda,whichisalsoslightlyalkaline,worksinthesamemanner.Thatiswhyifyoudon’tconditionyourhairyouareleavingthehairporesopen,andtheopenhairshaftstangleeasily.Butifyouapplyaslightlyacidicconditioner–inmycasewhitevinegar–theporeswillbeclosedandthehairistangle-freeandeasytostyle.Andsointhismannerbakingsodaandwhitevinegarworkinasimilarwaytocommercialshampooandconditioner–butwithamuchsmallerpricetag.

TITBITBAKINGSODAWORKSINTHESAMEMANNERASSHAMPOO,ANDWHITEVINEGAR

ACTSASACOST-EFFECTIVE,FRAGRANCE-FREEHAIRCONDITIONER.

IamsoimpressedbythisnewapproachtohairwashingthatIcanconfidentlysayIwillneverbuycommercialhairproductsagain.Infact,afterashorttime

sayIwillneverbuycommercialhairproductsagain.Infact,afterashorttimeusingbakingsodaandwhitevinegar,therealityofcommercialhairproductsappalsme.Whatarethesechemicalsweareputtingonourhair?

HEREARESOMEINGREDIENTSTAKENFROMLABELLINGONCOMMERCIALSHAMPOO:

sodiumlaurylsulfate,ammoniumlaurylsulfate,ammoniumlaurethsulfate,ammoniumxylenesulfonate,sulfur(indandruffshampoos),seleniumsulfide(indandruffshampoos),magnesiumsulfate,sodiumthiosulfate,sodiumC14-16olefinsulfonate,alkylsodiumsulfate,alkylbenzenesulfonate,TEA-dodecylbenzene,sodiumC12-15alkylsulfate,sodiumdodecylsulfate.

Aretheseby-productsofthepetrochemicalindustry,fobbedoffontotheunsuspectingpublicasusefulproducts?I’dlovetobeabletoaffordanadvertisingcampaignthattellspeoplethereisanotherway.Ihearalotoffeedbackfrompeopleattendingmyclassesandpresentations

whohavetroublefindingacommercialproductthattheydonotreactto.Sodiumlaurylsulfate(SLS)isanot-so-nicechemicalfoundinmanybeautyproducts,includingshampoo,asitaddsaluxuriantfrothinesstotheexpensivebrandedproducts.ManypeopleareallergictoSLSandtheydon’tevenknowit.Childrenwithskincomplaintsmaywellbereactingtothechemicalsintheirshampoosandbodywashes.Bakingsodaisasimpleadditive-freealternativeforwashingyourhair

andbodythateveryoneshouldtry,butitmaybeaparticularlyvaluablesuggestionforpeoplewhoarehavingtroublewiththecommercialproducts.Asidefromyellowwashingsoap,thereareonlyseveningredientsusedinthe

cleaningproductrecipesIpromote–oneofwhichiswater.Theotheringredientsarebakingsoda,whitevinegar,salt,citricacid,coco-betaine(anaturalcoconut-basedfrother)andwashingsodacrystals.WhileIcouldnotabsolutelyguaranteethatsomeoneouttheresomewheremightnothaveanadversereactionwhenusingtheseproducts,Iwouldfeelconfidentrecommendingthemtopeoplewithsensitiveskin:afterall,youcaneatnearlyallofthoseingredients;andifyoufoundyouwereoverlysensitivetoanyoneingredient,thereisonlyashortlistofpossibleingredientstoruleout.Comparedwithallthechemicalsinthecommercialproducts,thenaturalhomemadeoneslooklikeaprettygoodoption,don’tthey?

KEEPINGITSIMPLE

Whenwefirststartedtryingtomakeourownsolutionstomeettheneedsofourstringentgrocerybudget,Iexperimentedwithmakingasoap/shampoo/bodybarusingcoconutoilandotheroils.ItwasmucheasierthanIhadimaginedandImanagedtomakeabeautifulbarwhichwouldstandbesideanythingyoucouldbuyintheshops.IknewthequalityofmynaturalingredientswashighandthegoodresultIgotmademefurtherquestionwhatiseveninthethingswebuyofftheshelf.However,althoughitworksoutcheaperthanbuyingofftheshelf,thisisstillareasonablyexpensiveexerciseintime,equipmentandingredients.Ihavepublishedthesoap/shampoo/bodybarrecipeinacosmeticspamphletthatcanbepurchasedfrommywebsitewww.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz,andIstillmakeupabatchoccasionallytogiveawaytofriendsandfamily.ButIhavefoundthat,practicallyandfinancially,justusingstraightbakingsodatowashhairandbodyworksbeautifullyformeandmyfamily–thereisnorealneedtogotofurtherexpensebytryingtoduplicatetheproductsofftheshelf.

BAKINGSODAASASOAPSUBSTITUTE

Soapisnotthatexpensive;however,youcancutitoutofthegrocerybudgetaltogetherifyouwanttoandjustusebakingsoda,whichisgentleonmostskin.Ifyouhaveevermadesoap,youwillknowthatitcontainscausticsoda(draincleaner),whichmightputyouoffabit.Soapisactuallyquitetoughonskin,butluckilymostpeople’sskincanhandleit.Ofcourse,becauseeveryone’sskinisdifferent,Iwouldspot-testbakingsodaonasmallareabeforeusingitonyourentirebody,especiallyonsensitiveareassuchasyourface.Insayingthat,youshouldalsospot-testcommercialproductsbeforeyouusethemorcombinationsofthem–butwhodoesthat?IfeelconfidentlimitingtheingredientsIuseonface,skin,teethandhairto

onesubstance–bakingsoda.IrealisedthatIhadblindlyputmytrustincommercialmanufacturersforyears(somewhatfoolishly,asIhavedevelopedsomeminorskindisorders),yetoneinexpensiveingredient–bakingsoda–takescareofallmyneeds.Myskin,hairandteetharenowinbettershapethanever.Ontopofthat,IfeelgoodbecauseI’malsolimitingthemixtureofchemicalsinmyhomeandthosegoingdownthedrainsbackintotheenvironment.

Bicarbonateofsoda(bakingsoda)isamicroscopiccrystalthatslowlydissolvesinwater.Thecrystalsstayjaggedenoughtoremoveanydirt,yeteventuallydissolveinwater,sothereisnolastingscratchingdamagetoyourskinoranysurfaceyouarewashing.Thisiswhyitissuchagentleandeffectivecleanserthatyoucansafelyuseonalmostanysurface.Onskinithasabitofanexfoliatingeffect,whichisgood.Itisalsoeffectiveonskinspotsandblemishes,althoughjusttobesureIwouldrecommendspot-testingitonfacialskinbeforeusingit.Bakingsodaisparticularlyeffectiveatgettingdirtoffskin–arealboon

forfarmersandgardeners.Mixedwithsweetalmondoil,bakingsodacanalsogentlyremovemechanicaloilandingrainedgreasefromhands(seerecipeonmechanic’sscrub).

BAKINGSODAORWHITEVINEGARASADEODORANT

Bakingsodahasdeodorisingproperties,soifyouusebakingsodainsteadofsoapitwillalsoactasadeodorant.Thisisespeciallyusefulforsmellyteenagers,orforindividualswithparticularbodyodourproblems.Itiseasytomakeasimpledeodorantbydissolvingateaspoonofbakingsoda

thoroughlyinwarmwateranddabbingiton,ordispensingitthroughaspraybottle.Fragrancecanbeadded,ifdesired,intheformofessentialoilorevenbyusingstrawberry,raspberryorcitrusessencefromthebakingneedsdepartment;however,thedeodorantwillworkjustfinewithoutanyfragrance.Asthebodyodouryouaretryingtominimiseiscausedbydeadbacteriaonyourskin,thebakingsodawillneutralisethebacteriaand,alongwiththem,theodour.Bakingsodacanalsobeuseddirectlyasadeodorisingpowder,ormixedwithtalctoaddadeodorisingeffect.Whitevinegarsprayedonyourunderarmwillalsoneutralisebacteria,leaving

behindafresh,natural,neutralsmell.Thevinegarsmellwilldissipatealmostimmediately.Thesebasicnaturaldeodorantsarenotantiperspirant,buttheyareeffective,

chemical-freeandcostnexttonothingtomake.

TITBITWASHINGWITHBAKINGSODAREDUCESBODYODOUR.

OTHERUSESFORWHITEVINEGAR

IthoughtbakingsodawasamazingafterIfoundoutithassomanyuses.ButthenIreadVickiLansky’sbookVinegar:Over400Various,Versatile&VeryGoodUsesYou’veProbablyNeverThoughtof,andIrealisedthatwhitevinegar,too,isamustforeveryhousehold.AfterdigestingtheinformationinVicki’sbook,Istartedusinginexpensivewhitevinegartoreplacemanyotherchemicalsaroundmyhome.

SINCELEARNINGABOUTWHITEVINEGARINOLONGERBUY:

spraycleanerwindowcleanerglasscleanerrinseaidhandsanitiserhairconditionerfabricsoftenerdeodorantcoldsoreremedy(dabon,ouch!–forthebrave)carpetdeodoriserairfreshenerfleatreatmentanti-dandrufftreatment…

WHITEVINEGARASANAIRFRESHENER

AirfreshenersforusearoundthehouseareheavilyadvertisedonTV.Dowethinkourhomessmellunpleasantandhavetobedisguisedwithcloying,heavyfragrances?Idon’tthinkwedo,butthemarketersofairfreshenerswouldcertainlytrytomakeusbelieveso.Ipersonallydislikethefakesmellofsprayedairfreshenerorplug-insaroundthehome.Iparticularlydislikethefakesmellsinaconfinedspacelikeacar,whereIfinditoverpoweringtothepointofbeingunbearable.Unfortunatelytheaerosol-sprayairfreshenerisalsoveryunfriendlyfortheenvironment,andforthisreasonaloneanalternativeshouldbeused.Whitevinegar,eitherstraightorwatereddown50/50ormore,makesan

excellentalternative.Wehavearecycledspraybottleofwhitevinegarinthetoiletandthiscanbeusedasaninstantlyeffectiveairfreshenerwheneverneeded.Thevinegarkillsthebacteriaparticlesintheairthatcausethesmell–soitisnotdisguisingthesmell,butratherneutralisingairborneodours.Thisisalso

itisnotdisguisingthesmell,butratherneutralisingairborneodours.Thisisalsoveryeffectiveforneutralisingthesmellofsmoke,whetheritbefromburningcigarettesorburningcooking.Whitevinegarinaspraybottleisanexcellentalternativetocommercial

airfreshenersbecausenotonlydoesitdothejobreallywell,butitisalsoanti-bacterial,environmentallyfriendlyandwonderfullycost-effective.Thereisnotimeinvolved:allyoudoisbuysomewhitevinegar,addwaterin

arecycledspraybottleandthejobisdoneeasily–andwithnodangerousCFCsoremptyaerosolcontainertodisposeof.

ADVANTAGESOFUSINGINEXPENSIVEINGREDIENTSAROUNDTHEHOME

Sincediscoveringthemanyusesforbakingsodaandwhitevinegar,andmakingupsomebasicrecipestocovermorespecialisedjobslikeclotheswashing,Iwaspleasantlysurprisedthatsuddenlythe$100-a-weekgrocerybudgetwasreallyeasytoachieve–IfoundIwasactuallythrowingfoodawayagain.ThiswasthepointwhereIfurtherslashedtheweeklygrocerybudgetto$75,andwehavestucktoit,yearinyearout.Ithinkthatreplacingexpensivecleaningproductswithbasicinexpensiveingredientshasbeenamajorkeytoachievingthis.

TITBITREPLACINGEXPENSIVECLEANINGPRODUCTSWITHINEXPENSIVEINGREDIENTSISA

MAJORKEYTOACHIEVINGALOWGROCERYBUDGET.

Ofcourse,nowthatIhavechangedmymindsetaboutwhatIcanaffordandwhatpackagingisacceptabletome,Ifindmyselfaskingthequestion‘CouldImakeitmyself?’aboutallpurchases,notonlyfooditems.Iftheanswerisyes,Iwillhaveagoatmakingaproductmyselforchoosingacheaperalternativetogetthatparticularjobdoneorproblemsolved.Thisthinkinghasledmetomakemyownmoisturiser,lipbalmandbubblebath(seerecipesonbubblebath–lipbalm).Theingredientsforthesecanbeeasilysourced,andincludesuchhealthychoicesasbeeswax,honeyandcoconutoil.Ithasopenedmyeyestohoweasilyandcheaplythesethingscanbemadeandhowgoodtheendresultis.

Chapter10

SomeRealitiesofLivingonaStrictBudget

HOMEMADEPRESENTS

WestillcelebrateChristmaswithfamilytimeandanicerthanusualmeal,butsince2008Ihaveabolishedgiftbuying.Ifwegiveapresentthesedays,chancesareitishomemade.Wecanmakebeautifulmoisturiserandlipbalm(seerecipesonmoisturiser–lipbalm).Ihavegivenfriendsawoodenenvironmentaltoothbrush,accompaniedbyhomemadecloveandorangetoothpaste.Steviewillmakefudgeorabatchofbiscuits.Iencouragegivingenvironmentallyfriendlypresentslikeaplantorapacketofseeds.

Manystore-boughtgiftsarepoor-qualitycosmeticproductssuchaslipbalmormoisturiser:mostofthe(perceived)valueisintheattractivepackaging,whichunfortunatelyeventuallygetsthrownaway.Steerawayfromplastictoys,cheapmass-producedclothesandgimmickyappliances.Reallyanalysethegiftsyouarebuying:aretheycheapbecauseyouareonabudgetbutfeelpressuretogeteveryoneagift?Chillout.Gift-givingisanexpressionoflove.Doyoureallywanttoexpressyourselfwithapileofworthlessplastic?Rememberhowyoufeelwhensomeonehasgoneoutoftheirwaytohand-makeyouagift–itisathousandtimesbetterthansomethinghurriedlyboughtofftheshelfinthebargainbasement.

ADVERTISING

ThereisnothingnewaboutthePigTitsconcept.Beingfrugalandlivingwithinourmeansissomethingthatourgreat-grandmotherspridedthemselveson.Theyhadprobablyneverheardofenvironmentalsustainability;instead,theirrealitymayhaveincludedworldwarsandrationingandtheGreatDepression–thingsmostofushavenothadtodealwith.Buttriumphcanrisefromcatastrophe.Inmycase,runningoutoffundsopenedthedoortoamorepositive,healthyandsustainableapproachtoeverydaylife.SomethingGreat-Grandmadidn’thavetodealwithonthesamescaleasusis

advertising.Whateverthemedia–brochures,billboards,radioandTV–weareinundatedwithbrandsandmessages24/7alltellinguswhattobuy,buy,buy…Youthinkyouarenotpayingattentiontothisadvertisingandcanblockitall

out–butcanyoureally?Iamthetypeofbig-mouthwhowillsay,‘I’veneverboughtanythingdirectlyfromadvertising,Iamtoostrong-mindedforthat!’ButinrealityIhaveprobablyspentthousandsofdollarsonadvertisedproducts–mostlythelittleeverydaythingsliketoothpaste,shampoo,cleaningproductsandfacecream,ratherthanbig-ticketitems–butitalladdsup.ThesearethingsInowknowIdonothavetobuyatall.Ourbathroomlooksdecidedlydifferentfromeveryoneelse’s.Why?Because

westoppedbuyingbrandedcommercialbathroomproductsin2009.Wehave

eitherusedup,thrownoutorgivenawayallthebrandeditems.Therearenowordsonplasticpackaginginourbathroom,anditlooksoddbutinagoodway.Inourbathroomare:

bakingsoda,usedforcleaningteeth,hairandskinaswellasforcleaningbathroomsurfaces;whitevinegarforconditioninghair,deodorising,airfresheningandcleaning;andhomemademoisturiserandlipbalm

…andthat’saboutit:practical,inexpensiveandeffective,andnotabrandnameinsight.

ECOBRANDS

Anotherinterestingthingthatcomesupatclassesandpresentationsisthepeoplethatarealreadyusing‘ecoproducts’andpayingapremiumtodoso.Ihearcommentslike,‘IamnotgoingtotrywashingmyhairwithbakingsodaasIbuytheecoshampoo.’Myresponsetothatis:theecoshampooisveryexpensive,oftenover$10abottle.Itclaimstohavenon-toxicingredientsbutstillcomesinaplasticbottlethatwillneedtobedisposedof,andyouarestillpayingforthebrand,theadvertisingandallthemiddle-menwhocliptheticketgettingthatproductfromthemanufacturertotheconsumer.Bakingsodawillgiveyoucleanhair.Itwillcostapproximately1.5centsawash,comparedwithapproximately33centsawashfora$10bottleofshampoo.Bakingsodaiswellworthtrying,inmyopinion.Thesameprincipleappliestoecolaundrypowder,whichcancostupto$12a

kilo.ThewashingsodaandyellowwashingsoapconcoctionthatImakecostsunder$3akilo,andyouonlyuse15g(1tablespoon)perload,whichmakesitexceptionalvalue.Iwonderwhatcanpossiblybeintheexpensiveecobrandtomakeitworth60centsaload,whenthehomemadestuffdoesagreatjobforlessthan5centsaload.ThenIfindmyselfbecomingannoyedwiththeecobrandbecauseIthinkthey

arepreyingontheenvironmentallyconsciousconsumerbychargingthemapremiumtofeelgoodaboutmakinganenvironmentallyfriendlychoice.Itmakestheenvironmentallyfriendlychoiceappeartobetheexpensivechoice,

whenitdoesn’thavetobe.Thiscouldmaketheshopperonabudgetfeeltheycannotaffordtobeenvironmentallyfriendly–whichisabsolutelythewrongimpression.Environmentallyfriendlychoicesarethereforeveryone,notjusttheeliteshopper.

TITBITLEARNTOMAKEYOUROWNECOPRODUCTS.

Chapter11

WhattheFamilyThinks

FAMILYFIRST

Gettingthefamilytobuyintothelimitedgrocerybudgetisimportant–theyaretheoneswhowillbemissingtheirreatsthemost.Itisabitdifficultatthestart,whenyoufirstmakethetransitionfromunlimitedspendingtotightlycontrolledspending.ImadesurethekidsknewwhatIwasdoingandagreedtoit.Luckilytheyseemedtounderstandandwerequitehappy.Itisimportantthateveryoneinthehouse–kidsandadults–understandwhatishappeningandwhy.Ifeveryoneisonthesamepage(ormostly),cuttingthegroceryspendwillbemuchlesspainfulforthefamily.Onceyougetintotheswingofthings,youwillbepleasantlysurprisedathow

positiveyoufeel,eatinghealthier,creatinglesswaste–andwhenyouseethe

positiveyoufeel,eatinghealthier,creatinglesswaste–andwhenyouseethesavingsbuildingupinanaccountyoufeelrelief,confidenceandempowerment.PersonallyIamappalledathowweusedtolivebeforeandfeelgratefulthatIwasabletochangemylifestyletobecomemorepositive,productiveandsustainable.IonlywishIhadthoughtofitsooner,buttakepleasureinknowingIamsettingagoodexampleformychildren.Butwhatdothekidsthinkofitall?Willtheycarryonwiththislifestyleonce

theyleavethefamilyhome,orwilladvertisingandpeer/time/lifepressureforcethemintowastefulness?Steviewas11whenwefirstslashedthebudget.Twoyearsdownthetrack,

thisiswhatshethought.

STEVIE(AGE13)Whatdidyouthinkofthebudgetcutatthestart?ItsoundedweirdandIdidn’tthinkI’dlikeit.A$100-a-weekgrocerybudgetsoundedunrealisticbecauseweusedtobuyalotofstuffatthesupermarketandspendheaps.Whatdoyouthinknow?Itwaseasytogetusedto.It’sfunmakingsoapsandbathbombs.Withmakingmyschoollunch,IusedtograbapacketofthingsoutofthecupboardbutnowIeatmorefruitandsandwichesandstuff.Whatwerethebiggestchangesforyou?Homemadetoothpastetookawhileformetogetusedto.NowthatI’vegotusedtothebakingsodataste,‘normal’toothpastetastesoverpowering.Willyoudoit(alimitedgrocerybudget)whenyouleavehome?Yep.Why?Seemslikeitsaveslotsofmoney.Youarenotwastingyourmoneyonstupidthingslikeplasticbottlesfilledwithsmells.Whatdoyoumiss?Dishwashingliquid–wejustuseabarofwashingsoapnow.Whatdidyourfriendsthinkwhenyoutookthehomemadetoothpastetocamp?Theywantedtotryit.Theythoughtittastedreallygross,butthensaiditmade

Theywantedtotryit.Theythoughtittastedreallygross,butthensaiditmadetheirteethfeelreallynice.Whataboutwashingyourhairwithbakingsoda?Ithinkitdoesthesamejobasboughtshampoo.Whatadvicewouldyougiveothersthinkingofseriouslycuttingtheirgrocerybudgetandmakingsomehomemadeproducts?Tryitout.Ifyoulikeit,thenkeepdoingit.Whataretheadvantages?You’llsavealotofmoney,wastelessfoodandthrowawayfewerplasticbottles.Youonlyhavemilkandwatertodrinknow.Whatisthatlike?Ikindofforgotaboutotherdrinksandautomaticallywenttowater…IrealisedIwasgonnadieifIdidn’tdrink.Canyoucommentonyourchangeddiet?Weusedtohavealotofpackagedmeals,microwavemealsand,forlunch,packetsofchipsandbiscuits.Theywereunhealthyandnotfilling.NowImakesandwichesandhotchips,eatfruitanddobaking.Youquicklygetusedtoit.Boughtbiscuitstastelikecardboard,yourownbakingisbetter.Commentonthegarden.Iweedit.Itfeelsgoodtopickvegetablesthatyouhavegrownyourself.Gardensaregoodoncetheygetgoingandstartsavingyoumoney.Canyounameanewfoodyouhadnevereatenuntilthebudgetcut?Chickpeas–Ilikethem.Cannedtomatoes.Weeatwaymorefruitandvegetablesnow.Whatfooddon’tyouhavenow?Idon’thavebiscuits,boughticecream,mueslibarsandallthatstuff.

IthasamazedmehowStevieadaptedtothechangesbroughtaboutbythe$75-a-weekgrocerybudget.Thethingsshecanmakeinthekitchenareimpressive.Steviecanwhipupacakethenightbeforeschoolifthecupboardisabitbare–shedoesn’tevenusearecipenow,she’sgotthatgoodatit.Bread,pizzabases,fudge,puddings,icecream–younameit,shecanmakeit.NanaPat(mymum)hasbeenreallygoodatprovidingherwithcookbooksandrecipeideas,andifSteviedoesn’thavearecipeonhandshewillsearchtheinternetandfindone.Theskillsshehaslearntbycookingarewide,andbecauseshehashadsuchsuccesswithitshewantstocontinuemakingmoreandmore,learningmoreand

moreintheprocess…itissuchagift.TheskillsSteviehaslearntwillbewithherforlife.Stevieisalsoskilledatfindingbargainsinthesupermarket.Beforethebudget

hermainaiminlifewastokidmeintobuyingmoreandmoretreats–chocolatebiscuitsandrollups,thosetypesofproducts.Nowadaysshewouldbehorrifiedifshecaughtmebuyingthosethings.Wearguemoreaboutwhatnottobuythanwhattobuy,andwe’reoftenputtingthingsbackontheshelfbecauseweknowthereisabetter,cheaperandmoresustainablealternative.AttheendoftheweekourcupboardsareabitbareandSteviehastothinkup

somethingsuitableforherschoollunch.Recently,Iwasplanningongoingshoppingandaskedherwhatsheneeded(wecanhavewhateverwelikeaslongaswedon’tspendover$75aweekongroceries).Allsheaskedforwasham,fruitandingredientsfortheoatysliceshewasplanningonmaking(seerecipeonoatyslice).Beforethebudget,Stevie’slistwouldhavebeenanendlessrequestforpackagedsnackfooditems.Wearegladwehavebrokenthatcycle.

IalsoaskedDanniwhatshethoughtaboutthechangeswemadebackin2009.Here’swhatshehadtosaytothesamequestions.

DANNI(AGE18)Whatdidyouthinkofthebudgetcutatthestart?Ican’treallyrememberexactly.Itwaspositivebecausesavingmoneyisalwaysgood.Irememberthinkingaboutthrowingoutshampoobottlesandwonderingwheretheyweregoing.Whatdoyouthinknow?Istillthinkitisgood.It’sjustlikenormalnow.IthinkbacktoallthestuffweusedtohaveandIthink,Howdidweeveneatallthatfood?Weusedtowasteitallthetime.Whatwerethebiggestchangesforyou?Notthefood.Probablyswitchingtohomemadetoothpasteandnothavingboughtshampooorboughtdeodoranthavebeenthemostnoticeablechanges.Willyoudoit(alimitedgrocerybudget)whenyouleavehome?Yes.

Why?BecauseI’dfeelstrangebuyingcommercialproductsagain.I’dfeelbadusingallthosechemicals.I’mgoingtoteachTaavi[DanniandSimon’sbaby]thatthoseproductsarenotnice.Moneysavingalsocomesintoit;andifIdobuysomething,Iwantsomethingthat’sgoodandmakesmefeelnice,notsomechemical.Whatdoyoumiss?Toothpaste.Whatdidyourfriendsthinkwhenyoutookthehomemadeproducts(toothpaste,deodorant,shampoo)toOutwardBound?Theydidn’tcare.Theywantedtotryit.They’dneverthoughtofmakingthingsthemselves.Whatcanyousayaboutwashingyourhairwithbakingsoda?It’sgood.Whatadvicewouldyougiveothersthinkingofseriouslycuttingtheirgrocerybudgetandmakingsomehomemadeproducts?Tryit–andifyouaregoingtotryit,doitforadecentamountoftime.Atthestartanythingdifferentfeelsabitfunny,butgiveitamonthandyouwillbeabletojudgeitproperly.Youmighttrysomethingonceandsay,‘Eeew,I’mnotdoingthat!’butafteramonthyoumightquitelikeit.Whataretheadvantages?Savemoney.Feellessguiltyasyouarebeingnicertotheenvironment,usinglesspackaging,recyclingandnotconsumingasmuchinthefirstplace.Youonlyhavemilkandwatertodrinknow.Whatisthatlike?Ifyouhavejuiceinthehouseyouwillalwayschoosethejuiceoverwater,soit’sbetter…especiallyifyouhavekids.NowjuiceisatreatandIenjoyitasatreat.Atleastnowwedrinksomewater.Canyoucommentonyourchangeddiet?Teashavegotmoreinteresting.Wearehavingstuffweneverusedtohave.Wehaveabetterdiet.Wehavemorefruitandveges–theyarethefirstchoicenow.Overallit’sanimprovement.Commentonthegarden.Ilovethegarden.It’sfunseeingthingsgrowthenhavingthemfortea.Canyounameanewfoodyouhadnevereatenuntilthebudgetcut?Chickpeas,quinoa,morericeandpasta,morehomemadecakesandslices.

Chickpeas,quinoa,morericeandpasta,morehomemadecakesandslices.Whatfooddon’tyouhavenow?I’mnotmissingrollups,TinyTeddies,mueslibars(hatethem),juice(stilllikejuicethough),packagedbiscuits,cakes,Nutella…allpackagedstuff.

Danniwas16whenwefirstcutthegrocerybudgetrightdown.Shehasalwaysunderstoodthefinancialmotivationbehinditandhasalwaysacceptedanylifestylechangespositively.Shehasbecomeanenthusiasticgardenerandisverygoodatrememberingtotaketheclothbagstothesupermarketsowecansaynotoplastic.SincethebirthofhersonTaavi,Dannihasbeenagoodexampleofa‘greenmum’,choosingtouseclothnappies,secondhandbabyclothesandlocallymadetoysforherbaby,madewithnaturalresources.Taaviisalsovirtuallychemical-free,asDanniandSimonhavenotboughtintothebabyproductsscam.SimonhasadaptedtothePigTitslifestyleremarkablywell,consideringhe

wasthrowninatthedeepend.Hecametolivewithusfroma‘mainstream’homewhenwewerealreadyquitefardownthetrackofsavingmoneybyusinghomemadeproducts.Hehadbeenhavingskinsensitivityissueswiththecommercialproducts,soachangewasexactlywhatheneeded.

SIMON(AGE18)Whatdidyouthinkofthebudgetcutatthestart?Ididn’tthinktoomuchintoit,andthenIactuallythoughtitwasgoodbecauseItriedbakingsodaasafacialscrubanditworkedreallywell.Whatdoyouthinknow?Itseemsnormalnow,justroutine,Idon’tthinkofitasdifferent.Itfeelsmorenormalnowthanhowwedidthingsbefore.Whatwerethebiggestchangesforyou?Movingawayfromjunkfoodwasthemostchallengingthingformetodo.Potatochips…Iconsiderjuiceasjunkfoodnow.We’vebeenMcDonald’s-freeforages.Idon’tmissjunkfoodatallnow.Theotherthingsmakesensetome.Iwasalwaysgettingirritatedfromsoapandshampooanywaysothatpartwaseasy.Willyoudoit(alimitedgrocerybudget)whenyouleavehome?Definitely.

Definitely.Why?Ifyouwatchwhatyouspendonfoodandstuffyoucanliveamuchhealthierlife.Betterforyou,cheaperaswell…anditmakesyouconfidentabouttryingdifferentthings.Whatdidyourfriendsthink?Theyhavehadnothingnegativetosay.Whatcanyousayaboutwashingyourhairwithbakingsoda?Shampooirritatesme,sousingbakingsodawasagoodidea.Anotheralternativewaswelcometome–itwaslikeasolution.Whatadvicewouldyougiveothersthinkingofseriouslycuttingtheirgrocerybudgetandmakingsomehomemadeproducts?Tryitforadecentamountoftime.Whenyougodowntothesupermarket,getmostofyourfoodfromthevegetablesection.Youonlyhavemilkandwatertodrinknow.Whatisthatlike?ItwaschallengingnottohaveCoke.Now,thatisatreatoftreats,notaneverydaydrink.NowIrealisehowstrongandhugelycarbonateditis…Idon’tenjoyCokeasmuchnow.Iwasterriblyaddictedtoenergydrinks…theyarefartoosweetformenow,absolutelyterrible.Idrinkalotofmilknow.Weneverusedtodrinkstraightwateratallbefore.Milkandwater–youcan’tgowrongwiththat.Canyoucommentonyourchangeddiet?Weeatwell,alwayssomethingdifferent…asmallpieceofmeatcomplementedwithlotsofveges.Thisdietisagoodthing.Commentonthegarden.Thegardenisreallycool.Onceyouhaveagardenandputtheeffortin,youaresohappywhenthingsgrow.Nothingisfresherthanstraightoutofyourgarden.Canyounameanewfoodyouhadnevereatenuntilthebudgetcut?Vegetarianoptions.Stirfries,spinach,chickpeas…Whatfooddon’tyouhavenow?Idon’tcareaboutanythingwenolongerhave.Ifwereally,reallywantsomethingwecanstillhaveit,youjustgetoutoftheroutineofwantingjunkfood.

Luckilyforus,Simonhasspentsometimeinrestaurantkitchenstrainingtobea

chef,andsohasbroughtsomehigh-endskillsintoourhometoteachusthatrestaurant-qualitydishesdonotnecessarilyhavetobeexpensive.Sauceswiththerightbalanceofsweetandsaltyflavourscombinedwithfreshingredientscantransformthemostbasicdish.WatchingcookingshowsonTVorlookingontheinternetforideascanalsobringvarietyandflavourtoyourhomecooking,withoutbreakingthebank.

TAKEAWAYFOOD

Takeawaysareonethingyoucannotaffordonalimitedgrocerybudget.Ilearntthisthehardwaybecause,beingaworkingmum,fishandchipsoftenseemedtobeaneasyoptionforteaifIhadbeenmilkinglateandarrivedhometoahouseholdfullofhungrychildren.Butifyouthinkaboutit,ringingupforfishandchipsandthendrivingtocollectittakeslongerthanitwouldtowhipupastirfry.Itisjustabad,lazyhabityougetinto.Ifweboughttakeawaysonthe$100budgetitsimplymeantlessmoneyfor

foodlaterintheweek.Youcouldprobablygetawaywithitoccasionally,butcertainlynottwoorthreetimesaweek–andsofishandchips,pizzaandChinesetakeawaysbecomeanoccasionaltreat.Atthebeginningofthebudgetwereally,reallyenjoyedthetakeawayfoodon

therareoccasionswehadit.However,astimewentonandthebudgetwasslashedagainto$75,itbecamedifficulttojustifyspendingnearlyhalftheweek’sfoodallowanceondeep-friedfastfood.Thenwestartedquestioningthevalueweweregettingforourmoney.Afterall,chipsarejustfriedchopped-upspuds.Youcanactuallymakeyourownversionoffishandchipsforalotlesscost

thanboughtones.Thechipsare…cheapaschips,andwhilefreshfishcanbepricey,youcanalsogetagoodbargainoccasionally,evenatthesupermarket–especiallyifyoudon’tmindfrozen,orbuyingsomethingthatisclosetoitsuse-bydate.Andso,overtime,weweanedourselvesoffthefastfoodpreferenceandnowwemakeourowntreats.Onceyourealisehowmuchniceryourhomemade‘takeaways’are,it’seasytochange.Asforburgermeals,itisdifficultinitiallytoresisttheadvertisingthatinvites

youin,butonceyouanalysewhatvalueyouareactuallygettingformoneyandthequalityofthefood,itisnottoohardtoignoretheseplacesaltogether.Anice

healthyburgermadeathomewithafreshmince,eggandbreadcrumbpattyandsomevegesfromthegardenisadelight(seerecipeonhomemadeburgerpatties).Inourhouseitisnotstrangetoseeteenagersinthekitchenmakingchipsorpizza(fromscratch),mixingupfreshlemonandgrapefruitjuiceorbakingcakes.Igetagoodfeelingfromthat,astheynolongerexpecttheinstantgratificationfromgrabbingsomethingstraightfromthefridgeandiftheyreallywantsomethingthentheywillmakeit.Itwillstandthemingoodsteadforlaterlife,andtheconfidenceandabilitytotakecontroloverlife’snecessitieswillextendfarbeyondthekitchen.

TITBITMAKEYOUROWN‘FASTFOOD’.

BABYONABUDGET

DanniandSimonbecameteenageparentsin2011whenTaaviwasborn.Theyhadnomeansofsupportapartfromme,soIsuggestedtheystayathomewithmeinthebeginning.IaddedthatSimonwaswelcometostay/movein,boardfree,aslongaswecouldstillsticktothe$75-a-weekgrocerybudget.Itwassurprisinglyeasytoabsorbanextrapersonandabreastfedbabywhileremainingtruetothebudget.SowhileIwasunabletohandover$10,000cashtothekidstogetthemstarted,Iwasabletosupportthemuntiltheygotontheirfeet,withoutturningtothesocialwelfaresystem.Wemanagedtobuyabulklotofpre-lovedbabygearlocally–cot,pram,

backpack,etc–atafractionofthecostofnew,whichwasagoodstart.Wethoughtabouttheimpactofbuyingallnewgearforthebabyanditdidn’tmakegoodenvironmentalorfinancialsense.Thebabygearmarketisthebiggestrip-offyet,andhitsyoungparentsatafinanciallyfragiletimewhentheymaybereducedtooneincome,ormaynothavemuchinthewayoffinancialresourcestostartwith.Pre-lovedbabyclothesarealsodefinitelythewaytogo.Cheap,new,mass-

producedbabygearistemptingtobuy,withitsgimmickyslogansandprettycolours–Icallthem‘Grandmatraps’.However,whenyoucanbuyawholebagfulofclean,good-qualitysecondhandclothesforababyfor$3andsupportyourcommunityopportunityshopaswell,yourealisebuyingnewgearfora

yourcommunityopportunityshopaswell,yourealisebuyingnewgearforababyisanunnecessarilyexpensiveexercise.Weevenaskedpeopleofferinggiftsforthebabytogosecondhand–itmakesmoresense.Babiesgrowoutoftheirlittlesuitsreally,reallyfast,andthenyoucanhandtheclothesontoothers.Clothnappiesareworththeirweightingold,bothenvironmentallyand

financially.Theeaseofmodern-dayclothnappies,whichareverysimilartodisposablestouseandareattractivetolookat,surprisedus.Therewasnoneedtoinvestinexpensiveclothnappysystemseither.Werecommendshoppingaroundandtryingafewdifferentstylestofindwhatsuitsyouandyourbabybest.Yourpreferredchoiceofnappyandlinermaychangeasyourbabydevelops.Youcouldalsobuythesesecondhand,ratherthanbrand-new.Ifyoudryclothnappiesinthesunlightratherthanthepower-hungryclothes

dryer,youwillnoticethatstainsarenaturallybleachedout–there’sanotherrangeofwhiteningproductsyouneednotbuy.Youneedtobeclearinyourownmindaboutthereasonswhyyoumight

choosetouseclothnappies.Wehavefoundthereisalotofpressureonpeopletousedisposablenappies.Ifweallhadtoberesponsibleforthestorageofourownwasteinourownbackyard,perhapsreusablenappies(andothersanitaryitems)wouldbecomepopularovernight.Meanwhile,theeasewithwhichwecandisposeofpilesandpilesofdirtynappiesgivesustheoutofsight,outofmindmentality.Don’tforget:thosedisposablenappieswillbeclogginguplandfillsformanyyearstocome.Reusablenappiesjustmakemuchmoresense.

TITBITDRYCLOTHNAPPIESOUTSIDEINTHESUNFORNATURALWHITENING.

Westillhadfriendsandrelationsgivinguspacketsofdisposablenappiesoutofsympathy,althoughthekidshadmadeitcleartheyplannedtogivereusablenappiesago.Thepeoplewerenotlisteningtoourreasonsforstickingtocloth.Ifounditfrustrating,aswhileweappreciatedthegenerositybehindthegiftanddidn’twanttoappearrude,wehadvalidreasonsnottowantdisposablenappies.WesurreptitiouslypassedtheunwantedgiftsontoPlunket.

I’mashamedtosaythatwhenTaaviwasbornthefirstthingIdidwasputhiminadisposablenappy.Themidwifehandedittomejustafterwe’dwitnessedallthetraumaofchildbirth,andalthoughIhesitateditseemedchurlishnottocomplyandIdulyputitonhim.Badstart,Nana.IwishI’dhadthepresenceofmindtocomepreparedwithaclothnappyonhand,butinallthedramaoflabouranddrivingintothematernityhospital,Inevergaveitasecondthought.Ofcourse,oncethingssettleddownDannistartedusingherownclothnappies,andtotheircredit–becausenothingseemseasierthanadisposable–sheandSimonhavegotintothehabitofputtingTaaviinreusablenappiesandsavedthemselvesafortune.Thepressuretobuyintocommercialbabyproductsstartedfromtheday

Taaviwasborn.Weweregivenapamperpackatthematernityhospitalcontainingparentingmagazinesthatwerepureadvertising,andpamphletsabouteverybabyproductunderthesun,completewithdiscountvouchers.Notoneoftheseproductswasnecessaryandmanyofthemwouldhavebeenbadforthebaby,astheycontainedmanychemicals.LuckilyDanniandSimonhadthesensetoseethroughthisscam,butshame

onthematernityhospitalforencouragingthis.Manyyoungparentswouldseetheseproductsasneeds,whentheirmoneywouldbebetteroffdepositedinasavingsaccountforthebaby’sfuture.Taavihasbeenwashedwithwateronlysincethedayhewasborn.Babiesare

self-cleaninganyway.Hehashisowndeliciousbabysmell,undisguisedbypowerfulfragrancesthatmaskthepresenceofchemicals.Hehashadtheoddnappyrash,usuallybroughtonbychangesindiet,butthesehavebeenshortlivedandtreatednaturallybythoroughdryingofhisskinandabitofbarebumtime,ratherthanbyapplyingsubstancesthatmayevenaggravatethecondition.ThishasallbeenmarvellouslyhealthyforTaaviandreally,reallyinexpensiveforhisparents.Thereisnoneedtocomplainthatbabiesareexpensivebecausetheydon’thavetobe.Evennaturalbabyproductsareascam,becausebabygetsbybeautifullywithverylittle.Thepedlarsofbabyproductscaptureanaivemarketatavulnerabletime.Of

Thepedlarsofbabyproductscaptureanaivemarketatavulnerabletime.Ofcourseyouwantwhatisbestforyourbaby,butbeware–ifyoufindyourselfspendinguplargeonyourbaby,chancesareyoudon’thaveto.Themoneyisbetteroffinyourpocket.Moneyspentdoesnotequatetolove.

Chapter12

WhattoExpectwithaPigTitsAttitude

CongratulationsifyouaregoingtogivethePigTitsattitudeago.Youhaveeverythingtogain.Personally,ithasbecomelikeahobbyforme,achallengetonotspend,ratherthanamadscrambletoaccumulateasmuchstuffasIcanandthenthrowmostofitaway.Then,whenmymoneyaccumulatesIwillinvestitwiselyatmyleisure.Ifyoufindyouuseupallyourtimeworkingandthenspendmostofthemoneyearnedonconveniencegoodsbecauseyoudonothaveanytimelefttocookorgarden,itmightbetimetoreprioritise.Butifyouhavegotthisfarthroughmybook,youmustwanttotryanotherway.

gotthisfarthroughmybook,youmustwanttotryanotherway.Atthebeginning,stickingtoalimitedgrocerybudgetisachallenge.Youare

changingthehabitsofalifetime.Theurgetobuythebrandedproductsyouhavebeentrainedbyadvertisingtochooseisastrongone.Activelyresistit.Changecomesinstagesandeveryone’sabilitytochangeisdifferent.Inthebeginningyouwillbefearful.Thisiswhenyourmindthrowsoutalltheexcusesunderthesunastowhyyousimplycannotsticktoyournewlowgrocerylimit.Subconsciouslyyouareresistingthechange.Iknow,becauseIhavebeenthroughitmyself.Herearesomeexamplesofpeopleexpressingtheirfearofchange.Ihave

suggestedtothematapresentationthattheytrymakingtheirownlaundrypowderandsavethemselvesaround50centseverytimetheydolaundry.

‘Canyouuseitincoldwater?’Yes.‘CanIuseitinmyfrontloader?’Yes.‘Willitgetmywhiteswhiterthanwhite?’Possiblynot,butwhatdoes?Howmuchdoesitcost,andhowmanychemicalsandbleachingagentsdoesitcontain?Andbytheway,whosaidyouhadtohaveyourwhiteswhiterthanwhite?‘CanIhandwashwoollenswithit?’Yes.‘WillIneedtwofoodprocessors–oneforfoodandoneforcleaningproducts?’Idon’tthinkso.Theingredientsyouareusingarenotharmful.‘ButIhaveaseptictank.’Itisbeneficialforyourseptictank.‘Butmyhusbandhassensitiveskin.’Youknowwhichtwosimpleingredientsareinthehomemadelaundrypowder.

…andsothequestioningcontinues.

Fairenough,itisonlynaturaltoquestionsomethingdifferent.Butthesequestionsarereallypeoplesaying,‘IamoutofmycomfortzonebecauseyouaresuggestingItrysomethingdifferenttowhatIamaccustomedto.’Yournaturalreactionmaybetoresistthenewideas,butitistimetothink:‘Whatisin

naturalreactionmaybetoresistthenewideas,butitistimetothink:‘Whatisinitforme?’

Youwillsavearound50centseverytimeyoudoaloadofwashing.Yourwashingwillbenoticeablysoft,cleanandfresh-smelling.Youwillgetafeelingofempowermentasyourealiseyouhaveeasilymadesomethinggood.Youwillbeputtingfewerchemicalsandlesspackagingwasteoutintotheenvironment.Bestofall,yoursuccessinmakingsomethingyoupreviouslyboughtwillopenupyourmindtootherpossibilities.‘WhatelsecanImakemyself?’

Theoptionsareendless.Ihavepublishedsomerecipepamphlets,availableforasmallcostonmywebsitewww.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz,andyouwillfindsomeideastogetyoustartedinthebackofthisbook.However,PigTitsismoreaboutattitudethanrecipes.Onceyouhaveaplay

around,youwillsoonrealisethatusingsimpleingredientsforpracticalsolutionsgetsjobsdonecheaply,andjustaseffectively,asbuyingintoexpensivebrandedproducts.Successbreedssuccess.Onceyougetovertherealbutunfoundedfearof

tryingsomethingnew,andenjoythefeelingsofmasteryandaccomplishmentthataccompanysuccessfullymakingyourownsolutionstohouseholdproblems,therewillbenostoppingyou.Youandyourfamilywillbewellontheroadtofinancialfreedom–andyouwillhavedoneitbymakingsimple,healthyandsustainablechoices.

Recipes

MEALS,TREATSANDSNACKS

HOMEMADECHIPS

Preheattheovento180°C.Wash2largepotatoesperperson,andpeelifdesired.Chopuporsliceevenlyintochipswithasharpknifeandplaceinbakingtray.Lightlyoilandsalttotaste.Bakeuntilcrispy.

HASHBROWNS

Peel2largepotatoesperperson.Gratethemontoateatowelandsqueezeoutexcessjuice.Formintopatties.Lightlyoilafryingpanandfrythepattiesuntilcrispy.

POTATOBAKE

Microwave25gbutterand1choppedonioninabowlonhighfor3minutes.Wash6potatoes,peelifdesiredandslicethinly.Mixonionandpotatoinacasseroledish.Add½cupofmilkandsprinklewithgratedcheese.Coverandmicrowaveonhighfor8minutes.Uncoverandcookonhighuntiltender.Thiscanbebrownedinaconventionalovenifdesired.Thisisamealinitself.

CHICKPEAANDPASTASALAD

BuybulkdriedchickpeasatBinInnorinthebulkfoodsectionofthesupermarket.Soakthechickpeasovernight,thencookinaslowcooker(crockpot)onhighforafewhoursuntilsoft.Drain.Cookthepastaasperinstructionsonthepacket.Finelychopsomecheaphealthyseasonalvegetablesandherbs,e.g.onion,springonion,cucumberandspinach.Addcookedfrozenpeas,cornormixedveges–usewhateverisonhand.Kiwifruitororangesegmentsalsogowellinthisdish.Mixalltheingredientstogetherandseasontotaste.Addhomemademayonnaiseordressingifdesired.

CRUMBFORCHOPS/WIENERSCHNITZEL/CHICKEN/VEGES

Makemeatgofurtherbycrumbingit.Freezestalebreadandbreadends.Defrostwhenneeded,andprocessintocrumbsusingthefoodprocessoronhigh.Addchoppedonion,chivesandseasoningtothecrumbsifdesired.Placeflourinadish.Beat2eggsinanotherdish.Coatthemeatinflour,thenintheeggmixture.Coatinbreadcrumbs,thencookasdesired.Foracheapercrumb,milkoroilcanreplacetheegg.

CRUMBEDONIONRINGS

Chopanonionintomedium-thickrings.Coatwithflour,eggandbreadcrumbs(seepreviousrecipe).Fryinbutteroroiluntilcrispy.Atastyaccompanimenttomostmeals.

HOMEMADEBURGERPATTIES

Makemincegofurtherbymixingitwithsomechoppedonion,herbsfromyour

Makemincegofurtherbymixingitwithsomechoppedonion,herbsfromyourgarden,breadcrumbs,egg(optional)andmilk(orwater).Rollintoballsandflattentoformburgerpatties,ormakeintoameatloaf.

FLATBREAD

Mixapproximately2cupsofflourinabowlwithsomemeltedbutterandapinchofsalt.Makeintoasoftdoughusingmilk.Addchoppedspringonionorchoppedfreshgarlicifdesired.Kneadintoballsusingflouredhands.Flattenintoroundsonaflouredsurface.Cookeachsideinafryingpanwithalittleoilorbutter.Thismakesacost-effective,fillingandinterestingadditiontomostmeals.Playaroundwithflavourbyaddingwhateverisinyourcupboard,e.g.choppedalmonds,driedfruit,herbsandspices.

PIZZABASE:BASIC

Preheattheovento180°C.Mix1½cupsplainwhiteflour,apinchofsaltandenoughwatertomakeamalleabledough.Kneadwithflouredhandsuntilyoureachthedesiredconsistency.Spreadwithhomemadetomatosauceandaddwhatevertoppingsyoulike.Bakeuntilthetoppingsarecooked.Finishbybrowningunderthegrill,ifdesired.

PIZZABASE:SCONE

Preheattheovento220°C.Sift1cupflourand2tspbakingsodaintoabowl.Add1tbspoiland½cupmilktoformasoftdough.Rollouttomakeapizzabase,thenaddtoppingasdesired.Bakefor10minutes.

HOMEMADETOMATOPASTASAUCE

Blitzacanofbudgetchoppedtomatoesinafoodprocessor.Addsomecookedonionandfriedorfreshherbstotaste.Seasonifdesired.Cookdowntodesiredconsistency.Thiscanalsobeusedinsteadoftomatosauce.

CROCKPOTBREAD

15gdriedyeast4tspsugar2½cupswarmwater2cupswholemealflourpinchsalt4cups(approx.)whiteflour

4cups(approx.)whiteflour

Puttheyeastinabowlwith½tspofthesugar.Pouron¼cupofthewarmwaterandleavefor5–10minutes.Placetheremainingwaterinalargebowl,andmixintheyeastmixtureandtheremainingsugar.Addthewholemealflourandsalt.Combineusingawoodenspoon.Mixinenoughofthewhiteflourtomakeastiffdough.Turnthedoughontoaflouredsurfaceandkneaduntilsmoothandelastic,addingmoreflourasnecessary.Lightlygreasethecrockpotwithoilorbutterandputthedoughintothecrockpot.Coverandcookonhighfor2hours.Thebreadisreadywhenitsoundshollowwhentapped.

YORKSHIREPUDDINGS

2eggs1cupmilk1cupflourpinchsalt

Thesepuddingsmakemeatgofurtherandareapopularadditiontoaroastmeal.Preheattheovento200ºC.Greaseamuffintray.Beattheeggslightly,then

beatintheflour,milkandsaltuntiljustsmooth.Half-fillthemuffintrays.Bakeinthehotovenfor15–20minutesandserveimmediately.Makes8–10puddings.

FRENCHTOAST

Whiskaneggwithalittlebitofmilk.Dipslicesofbreadinquicklyuntilsomeliquidisabsorbed,thentakethemoutbeforetheyfallapart.Browntheslicesonbothsidesinafryingpan.Foramorefillingmeal,maketoastedsandwichesbysandwichingtwoslices

ofFrenchtoasttogetherwithalittlegratedcheese,onion,ham,leftoverspaghettiorevenafriedegg.

THAI-STYLEVEGESTIRFRY

Frysomeonionandcheapseasonalvegesinbutter.Addsalt,fishsauceorsoy

Frysomeonionandcheapseasonalvegesinbutter.Addsalt,fishsauceorsoysauce,citrus(lemonorlimejuice),chillisauceandsweetness(honey,sugarorjam)totaste.Addacanofbudgettomatoesandcookdown.Thiscanbeservedwithpasta,riceorricenoodles.Thinlyslicedmeatorcookedchickpeascanbeaddedtomakeafullmeal.

BEANANDLENTILNACHOTOPPING

¾cuplentilsand/orbeans¾cupbrownrice2tbspstock2tspchillipowder1tsponionpowder½tspcuminpowder½tspgarlicpowder4cupswater

Bringallingredientstotheboilinalargepot.Reducetheheatandsimmerfor1hour,untilthewaterisabsorbedandthelentilsaretender.Thiscanalsobecookedinacrockpotonhighuntiltender(3–4hours).

SUSHI

Don’tbuyasushikit!Cook1cupshort-grainedriceanddrain.Mixinsalt(orkelppowder)andasmallamountofwhitevinegar.Allowtocool.Placeaseaweed(nori)sheetdullsidedownonateatoweland(wearingthinlatexglovesorwithwethands)arrangealineofcookedriceaboutaquarterofthewaydownthenorisheet.Placeasmallamountofyourdesiredfillingontherice(e.g.dicedavocado,cucumber,lettuce,smokedsalmon,coldmeat,ham).Rollupfirmlyusingtheteatowel.Cutintosushislices.Thismakesafilling,interestingandgreat-valuemeal.

RICEPAPERROLLS

Youcanbuyricepapersheetsatyourlocalfruitandvegemarket.Theyarevery,verycheap.Soakthesheetsforafewsecondsinwater.Liethemflatonaplateandplaceyourchoiceoffillingontop:gratedcarrot,cabbage,sprouts,mushrooms,leftoverveges–anythingyoulike.Wrapintoaparcelandservecold,orbrowninalittleoilforahotalternative.Servewithdippingsauce(e.g.plum,chilliorsoysauce).

CORNFRITTERS

1cancreamedcornonionorspringonion,choppedleftovercookedvegetables,e.g.peasandcarrots(optional)2eggs2handfulsflour1tspbakingpowder(optional)pinchsaltdrizzleofoil

Mixallingredientstogetherinabowl.Heatanotherdashofoilinafryingpanandfrytablespoonfulsofbatteruntilgoldenonbothsides.

HUMMUS

2cupscookedchickpeas3tbsptahini(toastedsesameseedsprocessedwithoilinfoodprocessoruntilsmooth)1tspcuminpowderlemonjuicetotastechoppedfreshgarlictotastesalttotaste

Mixallingredientstogetherinafoodprocessor.Servewithroundsoflightlygrilledstalebreadandceleryorcarrotsticks.

MAYONNAISE/DRESSING

Whiskaneggwithsomesalt,pepperandadrizzleofoil.Addlemonororangejuice,andmilkorcreamtotaste.Flavourwithfreshherbs,andaddmustardorvinegar(totaste).Whiskuntilcombined.

QUICKDATELOAF

1½cupsflour2tspbakingpowder½cupsugar1tbspmeltedbutter1cupchoppeddates1cupboilingwater1tspbakingsoda

Preheattheovento180ºC.Mixtheflourandbakingpowdertogether,thenputtheminabowlwithalltheotheringredientsandmixwell.Transfermixturetoawell-greasedloafpanandbakefor30–40minutes.

CHOCOLATECAKE

100gbutter,melted1tbspcocoa250gflour375gsugar3eggs2tbspmilk2tspbakingpowder

Preheattheovento180ºC.Mixthebutterandthecocoatogether.Beatalltheingredientsexceptthebakingpowdertogetherfor5minutes,thenfoldinthebakingpowder.Greaseandpaperasquaretinandpourthemixturein.Bakefor20–30minutes.

BASICBUTTERCAKE

½cupbutter1cupsugar3eggs2tspvanillaessence2cupsflour2tspbakingpowderpinchsalt¾cupmilk

Preheattheovento180ºC.Creamthebutterandsugaruntillightandfluffy,thenbeatintheeggs.Stirinthevanilla.Mixtheflour,bakingpowderandsalttogetherandaddthemgradually,alternatingwiththemilk,tomakeasmoothbatter.Dividebetweentwocakepans.Bakefor25minutes.

OATYSLICE

180gbutter¼cuphoney1½cupsflour

1½cupsflour¾cupchoppeddriedapricots1½cupsrolledoats¾cupsultanasorraisins¾cupchocolatechips

Preheattheovento180ºC.Meltthebutterandhoneytogetheronthestovetoporinthemicrowave.Sifttheflourintoabowlandaddalltheremainingingredients,thenpourinthehoney/buttermixtureandstiruntilwellcombined.Lightlygreaseoroilashallowbakingpanandspoonthemixturein.Bakeforabout20minutes.Leavetocool,thencut.

SCROGGIN

Thisisgreatforahealthysnackorschoollunchboxes.Combinecashewpieces,unsaltedpeanuts,othernutsonspecial(e.g.Brazilnuts),driedfruitonspecial(e.g.papaya,driedapricots,sultanas)andchoppedcookingchocolateorbudgetchocolatechips.Storeinanairtightcontainer.

CLEANINGPRODUCTSANDCOSMETICS

LAUNDRYPOWDER

Cut1barofyellowwashingsoapintosmallpieceswithasharpknife.Placesoapinafoodprocessorwith1.5kgwashingsoda(sodiumcarbonate)crystalsandprocessuntilapowderforms.Use15g(1tbsp)ofpowderperload.Youcanreplacethewashingsodawithbakingsodaifpreferred.

SILVERCLEANER

Mixenoughbakingsodaandwatertogethertomakeapasteandusethistocleansilver,tarnishedearrings,etc.

TOOTHPASTE

Youcanbrushyourteethusingonlybakingsoda:justwetyourtoothbrushanddipitintothecontainer.Thereisanoticeablewhiteningeffectonteethafterashorttime.Ifyouprefertomakeatoothpaste,mixtogether½tspsalt,1tbspbakingsoda

andafewdropsofglycerinetomakeapasteofthedesiredconsistency.Flavourwithpeppermintessence,ortryadropofcloveoilandsomeorangeessenceforaninterestingflavourandaddedmouthprotection.

SHAMPOOANDCONDITIONER

Rub1tbspormoreofbakingsodaintowethair.Rinseandrepeatifdesired.Spraywithstraightwhitevinegarora50/50mixofwhitevinegarandwatertocondition.Rinsewithwater.

MECHANIC’SSCRUB

Mixsomesweetalmondoilwithbakingsodatomakeapaste.Usetogentlyremovegreasefromworkinghands.

BUBBLEBATH

Powderiseasmallbarofchopped-upsoaporsoapendsusingafoodprocessor.Addsomecoco-betaine(themoreyouadd,thefrothieritwillbe)andwarmwater.Mixtogetherwithafewdropsoffoodcolouringandessence(oressentialoil)forflavouring.Strainthroughasievetogetlumpsout,thenwaterdowntosuit.Thisverygentlebubblebathmakesagreatpresentforchildren.Usetheleftoverlumpsinthebathroomforwashinghands.

MOISTURISER

100gcoconutoil35gemulsifyingwax300mlwater150mlglycerineessentialoilsforfragrancemicaorfoodcolouring(optional;omitifyouhavesensitiveskin)

Meltthecoconutoilandemulsifyingwax(availablefromwww.amoraromatherapy.co.nz)inthemicrowave.Heatthewaterandmixwiththeglycerine.Carefullyaddthehotoilmixture,andmixwell.Addafewdrops

oftheessentialoilsandmicaorfoodcolouring(ifusing).Mixwell.Coolfor5minutes.Mixagainandpourintojars.Themixturewillsetovernight.

LIPBALM

3tspbeeswax(unrefinedisbest)5tspcarrieroil(sunflower,castororjojoba)1tsphoney6–7dropsessentialoiloressence(optional)

Meltthebeeswaxandcarrieroiltogetherinthemicrowave.Removefromtheheat,stirtocombine,andaddthehoneyandessentialoil(ifusing).Mix.Pourintocontainersandletsitfor20minutesbeforecovering.Forglossierlipbalm,uselesswaxandmorecarrieroil.

ThesearejustafewrecipesIhavefoundtobetriedandtrue.Gotothelibrary,askyourmumortheladynextdoor,getsearchingontheinternet–thereareheapsofgoodideasouttheretohelpyousticktoyournewlowgrocerylimitandutilisethefoodresourcesyoualreadyhaveinthehouseandgardensoyoudon’tneedtorushouttobuymoreandmore.Beforeyoubuy,askyourself‘CanImakethat?’Chancesaretheanswerwill

beyes.Hugesavingsaretheretobemade.Theonlythingmissingisyou.

Author’sNote

Ihavespentthemajorityofmyadultlifebeingrippedoffbymarketerswhowouldhavemebelievetheirproductswillenhancemylife,whiletheirsolepurposewastoseparatemefrommyhard-earnedcash.Afewyearsago,myownpersonalfinancialcrisisopenedmyeyestowhich

purchasesarenecessaryandwhicharenot.Youmaybesurprisedtolearnthatthemajorityofitemswestockoursupermarkettrolleyswith,weekinweekout,canallbereplacedwithmuchcheaperandinmanycasessuperioralternatives.Choosingthesealternativesishealthierforyouandforthewidercommunity,becausetheymostlyinvolvefewerchemicals,lessprocessingandlesspackaging.Bestofall,youareleftwithmorecashinyourpocket,whichyoucanplough

backintoamorerewardingpastimeor,evenbetter,afinancialassetforyouandyourfamily.

TITBITCHOOSINGCHEAPERALTERNATIVESINTHESUPERMARKETMEANSMORECASHIN

YOURPOCKET,ANDISOFTENBETTERFORTHEENVIRONMENT,TOO.

Therecessioncaughtupwithmein2009.Myhard-wonbusinesswasgoingunder,mybusinesspartnerditchedmeandthebankslockedtheircoffersandthrewawaythekey.Caughtshortwithnocashreserves,Iriskedlosingitall.Inalast-ditchefforttosavethedayIslashedthefamilygrocerybudgettojust$100aweek–andstucktoit.TwoyearslaterIamstillfarmingandhavemanagedtoincreasemyoperation

by25percent.MydebtissignificantlyreducedandIsaveregularly.Mywebsite(seeURLbelow)hasreceivedoveraquarterofamillionhitsintwoyears.Wearenowlivingwellon$75aweekforgroceries.Thiswasallachievedthrougha

littlebitofplanning,ashredofwillpowerandawholelotofbakingsoda.

www.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz

FurtherReading

VickiLanskyBakingSoda:Over500Fabulous,Fun&FrugalUsesYou’veProbablyNeverThoughtof(BookPeddlers,Minnesota,2003)

VickiLanskyVinegar:Over400Various,Versatile&VeryGoodUsesYou’veProbablyNeverThoughtof(BookPeddlers,Minnesota,2004)

Bothavailablefromwww.pigtitsandparsleysauce.co.nz

THEBEGINNING

Lettheconversationbegin...

FollowthePenguin-Twitter.com@penguinbooksnz

Keepup-to-datewithallourstories-Youtube.com/PenguinGroupNZ

Pin‘PenguinBooksNZ’toyourPinterest

LikePenguinBooksNZonFacebook.com/PenguinBooksNZ

FindoutmoreabouttheauthoranddiscovermorestorieslikethisatPenguin.co.nz

PENGUINBOOKSPublishedbythePenguinGroupPenguinBooksLtd,80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.,375HudsonStreet,NewYork,NewYork10014,USAPenguinGroup(Canada),90EglintonAvenueEast,Suite700,Toronto,Ontario,CanadaM4P2Y3(adivisionofPearsonPenguinCanadaInc.)PenguinIreland,25StStephen’sGreen,Dublin2,Ireland(adivisionofPenguinBooksLtd)PenguinGroup(Australia),707CollinsStreet,Melbourne,Victoria3008,Australia(adivisionofPearsonAustraliaGroupPtyLtd)PenguinBooksIndiaPvtLtd,11CommunityCentre,PanchsheelPark,NewDelhi–110017,IndiaPenguinGroup(NZ),67ApolloDrive,Rosedale,Auckland0632,NewZealand(adivisionofPearsonNewZealandLtd)PenguinBooks(SouthAfrica)(Pty)Ltd,BlockD,RosebankOfficePark,181JanSmutsAvenue,ParktownNorth,Gauteng2193,SouthAfricaPenguinBooksLtd,RegisteredOffices:80Strand,LondonWC2R0RL,EnglandFirstpublishedbyPenguinGroup(NZ),2013

Copyright©LynWebster,2013

TherightofLynWebstertobeidentifiedastheauthorofthisworkintermsofsection96oftheCopyrightAct1994isherebyasserted.

IllustrationsbyJennyHaslimeierAllrightsreserved.

www.penguin.co.nz

ISBN:978-1-742-53932-4