pig tits & parsley sauce: slash your grocery bill by living sustainably
TRANSCRIPT
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([email protected])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([email protected]),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
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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