aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 27, 2011 Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 We shop at SuperValue, Countdown and New World and we save about $50 just doing it that way. I go through the books each week and find all the specials and do a list. It's annoying and it takes time. I have to admit I'd rather just go to one place lol But saving that much money on one weeks shopping is good! Family of 2 adults and 2 children. Our budget is $220. We usually manage to stay within the budget. And we get our milk from a shop that sells 2L bottles at 2 for 6.00. We usually go through about 6 bottles a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 27, 2011 Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 Do you not have water in your taps or do you mean you pay for water up there? Even so, $1.30 for 1,000L is cheaper than fizzy or juice You don't have to pay for water in Blenheim?! Our water bill is usually about $400 or over for 3 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amtiskaw Posted August 27, 2011 Report Share Posted August 27, 2011 Did your rates drop when they started making you pay for water in Auckland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Hopefully someone can answer you there. I honestly wouldn't know. I thought everyone in NZ paid for their water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the new guy Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Hopefully someone can answer you there. I honestly wouldn't know. I thought everyone in NZ paid for their water. we dont pay for water here in chch :happy1: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Sounds like I'm living in the wrong place LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I can tell you we just paid our rates yesterday and it was $141.77 ... It says on the bill "Total rates assessed 2011/2012 (GST Inclusive) $1051.69. The 3 monthly amount is $262.92. If that means anything to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 We pay a certain amount in the rates for water, as everyone does, but are not then charged by how much we use as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Our water is separate from our rates completely. Papakura is under a three year contract at the moment I think, through United Water. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amtiskaw Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Yeah, that's why I was wondering if the Auck rates dropped when they introduced water charges. I think Aucks is the only city in NZ that has metered domestic water supplies? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 I can tell you we just paid our rates yesterday and it was $141.77 ... It says on the bill "Total rates assessed 2011/2012 (GST Inclusive) $1051.69. The 3 monthly amount is $262.92. If that means anything to you? Apparently it's $262.92 for 3 months, which is what he was meant to pay however we had credit on our rates account. So we've actually paid 3 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Yeah, that's why I was wondering if the Auck rates dropped when they introduced water charges. I think Aucks is the only city in NZ that has metered domestic water supplies? I don't know as we've only been in our own home since the end of June. But I think it stinks we have to pay for our water because of a drought that was years ago :an!gry I think we should pay for the water to be cleaned/treated and for the cost of maintaining the pipes, but not for the water itself because it doesn't cost the water companies anything as it comes from the sky. It should be free. Anyway, that's just my opinion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the new guy Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 There is always the idea of drilling your own well for free water. but then you need somewhere to need to drill it :dunno: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 lol yeah I guess. For the life of me I just cannot remember the name of it but you know the big containers that you put on the side of the house to collect rainwater? My parents have one. I was thinking about having one of those but our section is so small it would just be silly because it would take up so much room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the new guy Posted August 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 lol yeah I guess. For the life of me I just cannot remember the name of it but you know the big containers that you put on the side of the house to collect rainwater? My parents have one. I was thinking about having one of those but our section is so small it would just be silly because it would take up so much room. there always really cleaning out your gutters and then just placing a plastic drum at the end of the downpipe? then you just need to get it out of the drum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted August 28, 2011 Report Share Posted August 28, 2011 Apparently it's $262.92 for 3 months, which is what he was meant to pay however we had credit on our rates account. So we've actually paid 3 months. 262.92 * 4 (quarters) = ~$1051.69. So yeah, you must have been $262.92 - $141.77 in credit. Usually happens when you pay or start paying partway though a quarterly cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephanie Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 Farmers' Markets and other places have veg at affordable prices. Many keep well too. I can get over 8 meals out of a pumpkin (not to mention soup too) and they are cheap at the moment (I was given several for free the other day). I try and only buy from the farmers markets. Way cheaper than the supermarket and the quality is so much better. I was pretty happy with myself the other day. $20 and I got two bags of plums, heaps of golden kiwi fruit, 2 heads of brocolli, fancy lettuce, spring onions, leeks and whatnot. And I seem to be the only one in the house that's a total fruit and vege fiend, so it's good. Leeks at the supermarket were $2.50 each for these tiny little things, as opposed to $1 for one twice the size and so much tastier. It's worth getting up early on a Saturday morning for delicious things! And I like to attempt to grow veges you don't see in the shops so often. Pak Choi and kohlrabi are super! I spend too much time tracking down funny coloured or random veges from various websites. It's a sad obsession! My ultimate goal is to be pretty self sufficient, i'm forever dreaming about things haha, i grew up in the middle of nowhere surrounded by farms and I have an obsession with chickens, so i'm planning to settle in one place and find some nice hens next year! Nothing better than fresh eggs! :happy2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 there always really cleaning out your gutters and then just placing a plastic drum at the end of the downpipe? then you just need to get it out of the drum :facepalm: now I remember - a water tank :facepalm: :lol: :oops: Yeah that's another way. :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 29, 2011 Report Share Posted August 29, 2011 262.92 * 4 (quarters) = ~$1051.69. So yeah, you must have been $262.92 - $141.77 in credit. Usually happens when you pay or start paying partway though a quarterly cycle. Yeah we bought the house off my parents and they had credit on their rates account and they said we could have it. I had forgotten about it lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the new guy Posted August 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 I guess there is many many ways of saving money. ya just gotta really think or ask advice. anyone got an off grid power system? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumbeginner32 Posted August 31, 2011 Report Share Posted August 31, 2011 I guess there is many many ways of saving money. ya just gotta really think or ask advice. anyone got an off grid power system? Ya mean those things where you use your credit card or something to top up your account at home. My parents used to have this. There was a thing in one of their bedrooms ... but it was after I left home so I don't know much about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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