https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Fri, 01 May 2026 13:52:39 +0000 Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:30 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.05 360 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=22767 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_images/web_wiz_forums.png https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/ https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=556101&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#556101 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 30 November 2008 at 5:48pm

Danaj wrote: Did you know the average kiwi spends $900.00 on Xmas gifts per year?

OW!! That is insane!!

ohhhhh what I could do with $900 right now.]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:48:30 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=556101&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#556101 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=556091&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#556091 Author: Danaj
Subject: 22767
Posted: 30 November 2008 at 5:34pm

We decided a few years ago that we wouldn't do Xmas anymore. I bought one $5.00 gift last year for the SS at work but that was it.

I know things will change with Bubs but for now we have told our families not to buy for us because they will not be getting anything from us. They ignored that the first year but have now gotten used to the idea. It's taken a huge amount of pressure off.


Did you know the average kiwi spends $900.00 on Xmas gifts per year? ]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:34:03 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=556091&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#556091 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555916&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555916 Author: Red
Subject: 22767
Posted: 30 November 2008 at 10:18am


You are most welcome to invade our house - just when J is home cos I don't know how to use it! Prob should learn ....

Edited by Red]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 10:18:06 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555916&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555916 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555872&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555872 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 30 November 2008 at 9:04am

gemsmum wrote: When does the tightening of the belts start Paws?? D

Already started last week...so far so good too for us.

We're also finding we're using up the most amazing things from the pantry!!!!]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:04:37 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555872&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555872 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555847&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555847 Author: gemsmum
Subject: 22767
Posted: 30 November 2008 at 7:54am

Red wrote: Don't let your brother hear that you have been going to Starbucks! He hates their coffee - frappucinos are an exception of course.

Seeing as I generally only have their iced choc (yummy) I wouldn't know about their coffee - too expensive to coffee out too often now that my mat pay is over anyway!! Ouch. Not too many choices at Westgate for decent coffee, which is probably just as well.

Paws wrote: Of course if we could invade the house of someone with a plumbed in coffee machine that would be even better (hint hint     ).

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.....hehe.

When does the tightening of the belts start Paws??

D]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:54:43 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555847&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555847 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555809&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555809 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 29 November 2008 at 11:08pm

gemsmum wrote: I may need to visit family/friends with coffee machines rather than going to Starbucks (hint, hint).

Well you know my little overworked coffee machine is good go anytime.

Of course if we could invade the house of someone with a plumbed in coffee machine that would be even better (hint hint ).

Seriously though...so far so good for me....I've been incredibly proud of us...there have been a few moments of thinking of going and buying something (coffee, lunch etc) but we've stopped ourselves. ]]> Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:08:22 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555809&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555809 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555514&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555514 Author: McPloppy
Subject: 22767
Posted: 29 November 2008 at 3:20pm

Yup...god idea. We have our christmas shopping done so now we only pay bills fuel and rent and a little something extra with our groceries incase we are asked to a bbq then the rest we put on an hp to get it payed off faster. ]]> Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:20:24 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555514&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555514 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555037&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555037 Author: Glow
Subject: 22767
Posted: 28 November 2008 at 3:37pm

Good on ya Gen
I'll Join the crew of living off an oily rag over xmas
Here is a site with heaps of helpful hints etc

Edited by Glow]]> Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:37:16 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=555037&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#555037 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=554322&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#554322 Author: Red
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 5:02pm

Don't let your brother hear that you have been going to Starbucks! He hates their coffee - frappucinos are an exception of course.

I have got heaps of clothes that don't fit me anymore - so prob should try and sell some of that.]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:02:38 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=554322&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#554322 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=554055&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#554055 Author: gemsmum
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 1:09pm

LOL. Good luck.
I think I'll need to join you as mat pay stops first week in December (how did that roll around so fast??). I may need to visit family/friends with coffee machines rather than going to Starbucks (hint, hint).
MIL has sent us some UK£ so will be using that to buy a zoo pass - guess what a day out in our family will consist of from now on!!

]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:09:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=554055&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#554055 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553992&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553992 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 12:03pm

ginger wrote:    (also, bless Air NZ for not paying for their dinner, or even contributing ... but then, we have so much fun, I almost forgive them for not mucking up our plans with their own)

So not impressed about that!!! Stupid lack of team Christmas lunches. *sulk* ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:03:53 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553992&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553992 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553894&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553894 Author: ginger
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 10:03am

Yay for being too enormous to socialise much over here! I'm hoping that I'll expire looong before DH manages to spend money on drinks at his xmas do! (also, bless Air NZ for not paying for their dinner, or even contributing ... but then, we have so much fun, I almost forgive them for not mucking up our plans with their own)]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:03:04 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553894&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553894 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553892&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553892 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 10:00am

Red wrote: Paws, you should make more use of that coffee machine of yours!

It is getting a good workout at the moment I can tell you!!! ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:00:30 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553892&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553892 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553886&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553886 Author: Red
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 9:54am

Paws, you should make more use of that coffee machine of yours!

I am trying to be good as well, cos business has been a bit quiet the past couple of weeks - hopefully will pick up a bit more before Christmas. I just have to make sure we have things at home to make lunches out of so I don't end up at subway or getting sushi.

It is hard at this time of year not only with buying prezzies but also socialising seems to be on the increase as well. Sigh.]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:54:05 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553886&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553886 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553868&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553868 Author: weegee
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 9:38am

Yup I'm in too! Any Christmas pressies I haven't already bought will have to be homemade!]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:38:12 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553868&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553868 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553863&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553863 Author: kebakat
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 9:30am

I'll join in too. The only thing I'm allowed to spend money on is taking Daniel to the pool or lollipops and buying DH his christmas present. Nothing else!]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:30:50 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553863&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553863 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553862&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553862 Author: ginger
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 9:27am

We're doing this at the moment - we're really having to watch our dollars with the OB bill, and I just got the list of costs for our birth yesterday Bless, all the costs have not long gone up With overtime having been cut for about 8-9 months at Air NZ, and the OT ban continuing, as well as the increase in the mortgage once we refixed in March (about $500 a month), we've really come to realise how much money we were wasting/spending unnecessarily.

We even made our own muesli last week as part of tryign to get our grocery bill down (and it's actually nicer than the supermarket stuff, adn more eco-friendly too because there's no packaging to throw away every single week, just the bag for the rolled oats about once a month!).

So, after I've bought my lunch (because I didn't bring any today), I'll be your anti-consumerist buddy!! (Phew that I bought my maternity stuff last night! - it's funny too, there were things I needed, and I have a list of stuff I wanted to stock up on before finishing work, and it's amazing what you can pare back when you need something essential hmm?) ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:27:56 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553862&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553862 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553823&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553823 Author: caliandjack
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 8:49am

We are doing this as well, due to me only working part time for the last 2 months, we have no money.
Christmas will be home made gifts, preserved lemons from my tree and jam I made last year. Vanilla chai spiced sugar - from the bulk bins.
I haven't bought coffee for over a month!]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:49:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553823&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553823 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553819&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553819 Author: IVFGirl1111
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 8:47am

Yep pick me!

Were on the tight ship until Christmas - and that is so not like us.

But somehow Ive managed to rack up $800 on my credit card in 2 weeks and we didnt even take my card to Australia! So that is going to be gone by Christmas - its my mission. Going to be damn hard but its do able!

So yep I will totally join you!

]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:47:53 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553819&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553819 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553805&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553805 Author: Cassie
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 8:25am

I think we need to do something like this in our household. I might have a hard time convincing hubby tho lol.
I got an email today from a friend right after I read this thread about Buy Nothing Day, it must be some kind of sign for me I think. ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:25:25 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553805&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553805 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553787&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553787 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 7:55am

marielb wrote: Oh, and I bought most of my Xmas presents for this year at the sales in January - do it every year as that is when I get my Xmas bonus. Its fun to spend and I love opening my present box next month and remembering what I bought

Hehehe yeah I had fun doing that last night and seeing what we had. It was great!!

And yeah I'm sure we will have a blast, we have done it before...just not in the silly season lead up to Christmas, still what must be done must be done!

And it is always amazing how much you can do without. ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:55:04 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553787&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553787 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553785&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553785 Author: marielb
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 7:50am

Oh, and I bought most of my Xmas presents for this year at the sales in January - do it every year as that is when I get my Xmas bonus. Its fun to spend and I love opening my present box next month and remembering what I bought ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:50:49 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553785&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553785 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553784&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553784 Author: marielb
Subject: 22767
Posted: 27 November 2008 at 7:48am

Good luck Paws

We do this every 3 months and it isn't too hard

I think it saves us a heap of money! We have some very interesting meals with lots of food we find in the back of our cupboards, we swap food from the garden with our neighbours, we don't go many places to save petrol, we do fun things at home with the kids. You will have a blast ]]> Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:48:33 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553784&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553784 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553703&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553703 Author: Maya
Subject: 22767
Posted: 26 November 2008 at 10:21pm

I don't really have a choice, there's no room for consumerism in my bank balance atm so I am kind of on enforced anticonsumerism (I kid you not, I am in overdraft til I get paid tomorrow ).

But I haven't done any Xmas shopping at all yet, that has to wait till next week when himself gets paid.]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:21:51 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553703&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553703 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553681&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553681 Author: caraMel
Subject: 22767
Posted: 26 November 2008 at 10:07pm

Good luck Gen! And good on you guys, its amazing seeing how much you can cut back when you really commit to it eh?
Hubby and I were talking the other day about all the stuff we thought was essential before we bought our house, what a joke!]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:07:25 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553681&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553681 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553668&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553668 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 26 November 2008 at 9:58pm

We've actually got a lot of the shopping done which is good but hubby and I did figure the Christmas presents didn't really come under unnecessary spending anyway, unlike my excessive amounts of cafe coffees. *sigh*

And yes it would be loverly to ring in the New Year not being so stressed about money!]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:58:44 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553668&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553668 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553657&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553657 Author: emz
Subject: 22767
Posted: 26 November 2008 at 9:50pm

So have you done your Christmas shopping or are all friends, families and kids doomed to receive recycled goods this year?

There's a website with good tips I think... simple savings or something like that. I get weekly tips on how to save money.

Good luck - we pretty much do it every week although we get $20 each for spending and buy the odd pack of lollies or block of chocolate. Other than that, we run a pretty tight ship and I don't enjoy it lol

I hope the month gets you back on track - and it would be lovely to ring in the New Year without that bit of stress eh?]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:50:14 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553657&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553657 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553654&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553654 Author: .Mel
Subject: 22767
Posted: 26 November 2008 at 9:49pm

Noooooooooooooooo I'll pass but I'll cheer you on from the side lines

Good Luck ]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:49:03 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553654&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553654 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553645&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553645 Author: Paws
Subject: 22767
Posted: 26 November 2008 at 9:45pm

Well we've had a look at the state of budget and all that bad stuff and hubby and I have set ourselves the ultimate challenge leading up to Christmas....a month of anti-consumerism. We haven't been in great shape since I had to have 7 weeks off work and we really need to sort ourselves out!

We'll only be allowed to pay the bills and essentials and of course any purchases we're already committed too and that is it!

So wish us luck! (guessing no one else wants to join the challenge? )]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:45:24 +0000 https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22767&PID=553645&title=my-challenge-for-the-next-month#553645