I live in Auckland and around this area and also reasonably far-reaching suburbs there is the “Free Cycle” website people can join and everything (as the name says) is free and also the “Neighbourly” web site in most areas and expanding also has free stuff and wanted free stuff etc.

There are recycling depots around Auckland you can now go to and get cheap items.

I hate seeing rubbish (especially mattresses) dumped on the roadside when Auckland Council actually have a recycling site for them where they break them down and recycle them.

People spend too much on vices because the Government hands out too much money to them, they do not know how to budget and with all these agencies handing out lunches, raincoats, shoes, breakfasts etc why should they bother. Other people are basically looking after, feeding and clothing their children. More money means money for the vices (alcohol, ciggies, drugs, Lotto etc).

Stop some of it and make people stop and look around. They have X amount of dollars coming into the house, budget the necessities (mortgage/rent/board, power, basic telephone instead of all this high tech and expensive cell phones) water etc.

Every State house around where I live has a Sky dish. Flash cars parked in the driveway.

I own my own home, have one income and I cannot afford Sky! Why can beneficiaries and the like – because their children are being provided all the free stuff because they scream poverty. Grow a vegetable garden, budget hard and be money savvy – it is not hard. Stop looking to the Government and agencies – people bring these children into the world – they need to look after them or put them up for adoption to a well-earned family who cannot conceive. I bought up 3 strapping lads on my own with no help, I cooked, grew vegetables, shopped savvy at the markets, never ever had handouts for anything and they have gone on to places as did I.

I feel good about the journey and it makes you a better person for it.

[Pretty sure they discontinued the brand – but its a scheme that other brands may offer – Oily Rag ed’]

We all need to be aware there is a lot of free produce around our countryside that will feed and nourish the family all it requires is a little time to collect so become a forager and save money in the process.

In the warmer areas citrus fruit is in abundance and if you see a tree laden with fruit just ask the owner if you can have some or even offer to buy. Most kiwis if you take the time to ask will offer it to you for free…so take advantage of their generosity and make lemon curd, cordials and just plain fruit juice. It rankles me when I see fruit rotting on the ground and no one is utulising that free food. So just look around and you will be amazed at what you can find when you take the time.

The freezer is a must but if you do have a good supple of preserving jars then by all means use them…

I have got my children interested in foraging now and growing their own herbs and making their own pasts sauces…it is saving them lots of money….

Vegetable gardens are also a must and you do not need a great area to grow enough potatoes to keep you for a year….They can be stored in rua pits by digging a hole about 8ft in diameter and 24 inches deep…line it with hay or bracken fern. place your potatoes on top , cover with more bracken then cover again with the removed soil…this method can be used for any root vegetable like carrots etc…..just scoop out a little hole to access the vegetables when needed remove what you need then recover the opening.