Practical tips to save you money and make use of what you have available
Food Tips
Below are some articles we have written, sourced or found online to assist you to improve your knowledge, reduce waste, save money, stretch the grocery budget, and / or make use of what you have. If you have any topics you would like to suggest we publish an article about, send us an email. More articles will progressively be added.
Healthy eating for Babies & Toddlers
A baby needs enough food to grow, develop, sleep, and be happy. Caring for a baby is very rewarding, although there is always a lot to do. Your baby depends on you for a healthy start in life. These guidelines will help you choose healthy food for your baby and...
Eating Healthy guide for Older People
Good nutrition is essential for good health To stay healthy as you get older, it is important to eat well. You may have a smaller appetite than when you were younger, so you need to choose healthy food to get the best nutritional value. This pamphlet includes...
Best before & use by dates – what’s the difference
A use-by date indicates the last date that a particular food item is considered safe to eat, while a best-before date indicates the date the food will be at its peak quality. Use-by dates are crucial for food safety, especially for perishable items. While best-before...
Grow your own winter vegetables
Ideal winter vegetables are Brassicas - these include a wide range of vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, and pak choy who generally thrive in cooler weather. They like a sunny, sheltered spot with around 4–6 hours of sun a day....
Freezer-Friendly meals for busy or broke times
When life gets hectic and the budget gets tight, having a freezer full of ready-to-go meals can be a real lifesaver. Whether you're juggling shift work, parenting, or just trying to avoid the takeaway trap, freezer meals offer convenience without the cost. The good...
12 Budget – Friendly meal ideas for you
12 Budget - Friendly Meal Ideas: • Soups: Lentil and carrot soup, pumpkin soup, or chicken and corn soup can be easily made with affordable ingredients. • Curries: Veg and chickpea curry or a chicken curry with rice are hearty and budget-friendly options. • Lentil and...
Fruit and vegetables in season in winter
Buying fruit and vegetables in season will always be cheaper. So if you are working with a tight budget be aware of what is in season and look to use these options where you can. The other advantage is items in season will be fresher so a win win. In new zealand...
How to work out which product is the better buy
Unit pricing calculates the price per standard unit (e.g., per kilogram, liter, gram, or individual piece). Formula: - Divide the product's total price by the quantity it contains (e.g., divide the price of a 1.5kg bag of flour by 1.5kg). For example - If a tray of 20...
Save money ditch the takeaways and cook
You can save money by cooking your own food, and it will be far far better for you and your wallet. As a starting point you can click here to download our Whanau Cookbook or click here to access it in flip book format.
How many meals do you think $50 can make ?
Below are a couple of video's that show what is possible with around $50.These meals are still healthy and nutritious. Don't take the number of meals or servings literally, the point is you can make $50 go along way. Watch the videos below you will be surprised. 40...
15 ways to save $$$ on your groceries
Stacey from Farmers Wife Homestead shares 15 ways you can save money or make your money go further on groceries, while on her mission to only spend $5,000 annually ($14 a day) on groceries for her family. See video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZGXwUk0mB0 Here...
How and what can I freeze – coming soon
Coming soon