Monthly Archives: February 2012

I op[t to] shop

Posted on February 27, 2012 by

Opportunity shop n. Aust., NZ a shop run by a church, charity, etc., for the sale of second-hand goods, especially clothes. Also, op shop. (via Macquarie Concise Dictionary 4th Edition) Once the territory of Centrelink/pension cardholders, op shops are now frequented … Continue reading →

Posted in Going Green, Second-hand Scavengers | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

A frugal diet: Smart Food – 101 recipes that won’t break the budget

Posted on February 20, 2012 by

All the ingredients can be bought at the supermarket—nothing is exotic or expensive—and the dishes are delicious and simple to make. (blurb from Smart Food) Using pantry staples such as carrots, canned tomatoes, and mince, the Australian Women’s Weekly’s Smart Food … Continue reading →

Posted in Clever Cooks, Footnote Frivolity***, Reviews | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Drinks on the house

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

While there’s nothing better for you and your budget than a glass of tap water*, your guests might not take too kindly to l’eau du robinet, even when it’s served in fancy glassware. Fortunately, there are ways to pimp up tap … Continue reading →

Posted in Cheap Dates, Clever Cooks, Footnote Frivolity*** | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Is haggling un-Australian?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by

Like many freshly-minted Australians, my parents’ friends, the Ducs, have a healthy respect for money. They’re not afraid to shop around. Their daughter and I used to be fairly close—we went to Vietnamese school together—so I got to tag along … Continue reading →

Posted in Money Matters | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments