| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/11/2009 2:51:09 PM | I've come across a bit of hurt out there recently and figure the community might have an interest in helping out.
Those who haven't taken your thread seriously should hang their heads in shame. I think a bit of pompous posturing should put them in their place. Well done you! 
| |
|
Naamah
|
Joined: 11/1/2008
Msg: 27 | |
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/11/2009 6:24:39 PM | ^^^ 
In the tropical fruit growing areas you could go to all the fruit stalls that rely on the customer being honest.
Ah-ha! So it was you! A few years ago I decided to sell avocados with an honesty system, seeing as I have 7 or so established avo trees. The dogs eat most of the fruit, friends take a few when they visit, whilst the rest rot on the ground. So I got all industrious and started climbing the trees and picking them by the box full, painted myself a suitably tacky homemade looking sign on a piece of old wood, and carted the set up down to the main road. I was selling them at half the price of the shops, and they were twice the size of the ones in the shops, beautiful-tasting...and no sprays used on the trees at all, totally farm fresh. I would add fresh avos and empty the money jar every day and I made a few hundred bucks over the course of the week, provided people with quality product for far less money...and even expanded into selling limes. But my budding fruit empire came to a grinding hault when, oneday, I got home from work and found that someone had stolen the honesty jar. So I went back to letting the damn things rot on the ground. No honesty, no avos. ...I guess that's why farmers use shops and we all pay mark-up prices. 
Naamah your msg 9 - was I know intended to attract a laugh but unfortunately as an ex-Bank employee with 20 years service behind me it raised goose bumps on my arms
Sorry Miss Fee. Oddly enough, I actually worked as a teller in a bank for a while too.
The kiddie brain deads are just running their usual interference. Don't be detered by them people. I'll chop them off at knees when it gets too much out of hand.
I shall look forward to that. It will save me an absolute fortune on shoes.....in these tough economic times. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/11/2009 6:25:02 PM | Most towns have a 'Soupy' or soup kitchen. I know my nearest town does and the food is really good..., for only 4 bucks you can get a really big healthy feed (usually vegan) every Monday and Wednesday at 5 pm.
Also..., all the large cities now have Krishna and or Buddhist restaurants....., and for a donation (or not) you get a really good feed, and can meet some interesting folk as well.
Feed your mind and your body at the one setting...., how good is that ? | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/11/2009 7:22:46 PM | Sorry Naamah but it wasn't me who took the honesty Jar.
However I did hear some "WHACK JOB" who was at the same servo as me complaining about the cost of a flight to Adelaide and that her friend better start geetting more money in for her limes and advo's.
As I am no great fan of advo's unless I serve it up for brekkie for others and I haven't done that for a while then I must admit that it wasn't me and I won't point the finger but down your way the Hilly's could be heard with the sound of music( or swearing or screeching, not sure which).
Now that I have let you know the culprit and I fear for my chocolate I am now going to  and seek  before I get hurt and start  | |
|
Naamah
|
Joined: 11/1/2008
Msg: 30 | |
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/11/2009 8:13:42 PM | ^^^ If it was her, I'm saying nothing further. Money is way too tight to be racking up hospital bills because I messed with that one.
In fact, given the economy 'n all, this year I might dust off the old cr@ppy roadside sign and give selling avos another go to help with the recession blues. I have 3 different varieties of tree and the one that has the huuuuuge variety only fruits every few years and this is its 'on' year. Might make me a few hundred bucks... until my jar gets pinched again.
And speaking of selling stuff to cope with money getting tighter...I guess a lot of people sell off unwanted household items over the internet for a bit of extra cash? I've been tempted to do that...but wasn't sure how to get one of my handpainted signs inside the computer screen.  | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/11/2009 10:19:29 PM | Recently while driving we stopped at a roadside booth (with an honor box system), to buy some really cheap and good quality produce (including avos). They had an old standup slot machine that didn't work in it's original intended way..., but the 'slot' was still there so obviously that's where we put our payment.
The slot machine itself was obviously bought second hand and was 'buggered'. Point is was too big and secure to rip out or off.
I thought this was a good, secure and larger 'money jar' idea..., and that I would get one for myself from the trading post or similar and cement it in down at the gate.
Or Naamah..., you could always create something yourself..., just large and immovable and cement the bugger in..., also big 'bugger off' padlock ! | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/12/2009 7:16:16 PM | | There is really no need to make sacrifices in these tough times if you do as I do and bribe people. Having dirt on folk has actually improved my standard of living. I find that having absolutely no scruples is terribly advantageous in times of recession. | |
|
Naamah
|
Joined: 11/1/2008
Msg: 33 | |
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/12/2009 8:16:31 PM |
Or Naamah..., you could always create something yourself..., just large and immovable and cement the bugger in.
Thanks Sandy. I am just not sure that I would be permitted to concrete anything in given that I set it up down on the verge of the main road?? It would increase people's honesty if it was right out the front of my place, but it would be pointless cos I would have no passing traffic except the few other residents here.
Having dirt on folk has actually improved my standard of living. I find that having absolutely no scruples is terribly advantageous in times of recession.
Tell me about it. Do you mind if I pay you in avos this week? I'm a bit skint.
Thinking about growing something else to make some money. Flowers maybe? They tell me there's good money in poppies. I would have thought roses would be more popular, but you live and learn. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/13/2009 12:22:51 AM | mum used to own a bakery mentioned in the doomsday book. The original house has been heavily built upon over time but the garden is huge and mostly original and the poppies would've have had the authorities hopping but the entire property was English Heritage so yah boo sucks. Often wondered if the baker added extra poppy seeds to pull in more customers. Dang I missed an opportunity there. Make a lousy business woman.
Kids for sale...free to bad home..see lousy business woman.
I have years of experience in making ends meet. I have a peverse enjoyment of having to make do, make up etc without spending too much. Shop at charities cos my taste is WAY WAY above my income. Grow things, trade things and I try not to be greedy because things often just come to me..(gifts not stolen sheesh!! Got my van that way,)..like recently a large amount of professional cooking utensils, a box full of spices etc...so share whatever with whoever needs it. I do not buy junk food. Most of our meals are home made though frozen pastry is a god send. And above all when struggling with bills.......or King Williams as I like to call them.....having your amenities cut off does not kill you and cooking by moonlight on the wood barbi is romantic and exciting for the kids.
As for panty hose and bank robberies. Please note...use a fine denier with breathable gussett or you might pass out just after the 'this is a stick up' bit. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/13/2009 1:24:57 AM | a friend of mine drives his car out to the main road (a few kms ) and then hitchhikes to town ,cut down on fuel bills (only his of course )  | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/13/2009 1:32:21 AM | I'm thinking of riding the bike to work and back...I live 3 k's out of the CBD...but everytime I think about how fast I can get home by taking the car...the idea suddenly becomes a novelty...and a helmet just doesn't go well with corporate attire...but I will ride in bike shorts one day and suffer the laughter and taunts from colleagues...hey walked in one time with a mo', so they've seen the worst from Pedro Sanchez in bike tights.
On topic: Ride bike to work...too easy. Get paid to get fit. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/13/2009 2:10:42 AM | Or you could ride a horse to work Pedro, that way you can accomplish at least 5 things.
1. exercise a friends horse
2. save on petrol costs
3. sell the manure to any gardners
4. have the grassed areas looking neat and trim around you work place
5. charge your co- workers a fee to ride the horse during lunch time
Now I wonder where you could borrow a horse from | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/13/2009 5:46:43 AM | | I was gonna car pool with some workmates but dodgey door seals made it hard to keep all the water in ! | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/14/2009 1:22:52 PM | I think a bit of pompous posturing should put them in their place.
#26. Me too Longtime. Isn’t it amazing how great minds so often think alike.
one day, I got home from work and found that someone had stolen the honesty jar
#27. Would never have happened Naamah if you’d also left a jar of change. 
MEAT Know a single lady with three teenage boys who’s doing it tough due to recession cut backs. Said lady used to be an employee and has become a long time friend. I bought her one of these little upright freezers three months ago, filled it with meat and took it to her place with some b/s story about it being a raffle win that I couldn’t use and that she better take it ‘cause the meat was going off.
Apart from some rather sumptuous road kills I buy meat in bulk quantities, which means freezer quantities not cow size lots. I buy it direct from a small abattoir on the outskirts of Sydney. It’s located in a rural area of 100 acre blocks. The type of place where cows and sheep are grown to mow the grass. Gotta thin the herds occasionally, hence the abattoir with butcher shop attached.
Lamb loins $8.00 /kilo. Grain fed rump $9.00 /kilo. Fillet $14.00 /kilo etc. It’s quality meat at about 60% supermarket or butcher prices. Recommended this abattoir to said friend. She’s been their 3 times to fill the freezer and reckons it saves her $60.00 a week on meat which is a little over $3,000 a year. Figure there’s probably similar places on the outskirts of most capital cities.
ELECTRICITY Was talking to a mate (a retired electrical engineer) some time ago about the cost of running household gadgets. He said one of the biggest power consumers was air conditioning costing about a dollar a day per horsepower, assuming 12 hours daily use. Ducted air typically run 6 hp compressors and wall mounts about 3. That’s $6.00 or $3.00 a day depending on which is yours.
Helped one of my kids out in December by paying their leccy bill which was well over a grand. Identified their air conditioning use as being a major contributor to the bill. Paying the bill was easy, reducing it for next time a wee bit harder. Thought about and researched the alternatives and finally settled on an evaporative cooler as a possible solution. Scoured the big smoke for suitable appliance at a bargain price and finally purchased the mother of all evaporatives. Holds 11 litres of water, has an ice compartment at the top, three speeds, oscillates, operates in fan only mode and got a remote thrown in. Cost a bloody fortune. Only a dollar change from a hundred bucks.
From the specs that came with the machine my mate worked out that it costs 14 cents to run it non stop for 12 hours. Surprise, surprise. Kids next electricity bill went down by $400.00. House stayed just as cool. Only draw back is that the ’thing’ doesn’t cool too well when humidity approaches 70%.
I'll chop them off at knees when it gets too much out of hand.
#25. Bugger. Everyone’s behaving. No knee choppings required. Now where’s the fun in that? | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/15/2009 3:21:37 AM |
Scoured the big smoke for suitable appliance at a bargain price and finally purchased the mother of all evaporatives. Holds 11 litres of water, has an ice compartment at the top, three speeds, oscillates, operates in fan only mode and got a remote thrown in. Cost a bloody fortune. Only a dollar change from a hundred bucks. Wow, that's so cheap. I want one! Please, Mr ToldYouSo returns, can you point me in the right direction to where I can also acquire one of those remarkably low priced appliances? | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/15/2009 8:04:56 AM | Was talking to a mate the other day (a former butler of mine) on the phone (gold plated Bang & Olufsen - Limited Edition) about money saving ideas. Not that I need to save money hahahaa I'm rolling in it.
But he does, so I spent several hours of my valuable time helping him out, because that's just the kind of guy I am.
I came up with quite a few good ideas (inspired genius actually) so I thought I'd write a patronising entry here so you all can benefit from my wisdom.
Best go and get some paper and a pencil hey? You'll want to write all this down I'm sure, and probably sleep with it under your pillow too. Though not if you use regular pillows, I've been using Memory Sleepmaker Ultra-Deluxe A1 Grade Top-Notch Acme Pillows for bloomin' years, and I don't 'arf get a good nights sleep every night of the year and no mistake, so take my advice (it's Government Certified) and be like me. You know you want to. I mean, who wouldn't? (good natured chuckle).
When I owned Qantas we used to make a decent profit, a fair one mind you. Firm but fair, and I never had any trouble holding my head high or sleeping at night on my Memory Sleepmaker Ultra-Deluxe A1 Grade Top-Notch Acme Pillows because I've got principles! So few have these days but they need our understanding, not condemnation! So I entreat you all to be like me, extend a helping hand, be generous, if only in your own mind.
Which is the reason we always came in under budget when I was directing big budget blockbusters in Hollywood. Because I'm so clever.
It's obvious and so simple! Anyone can do it if they're willing to humble themselves, as I was saying just the other day to Nelson Mandela as he genuflected at my feet. So I hope that helps you all save a dollar or two or some other amount that I would regard as trivial but which probably seems like a lot of money to people who've never had gardeners working for them and could afford to give each one of them a Rolls Royce for xmas.
Anonymously of course, because only a dimwit nobody would try to big-note themselves by revealing acts of generosity! Other than privately of course, like here on the forums where everyone looks up to me for inspiration and guidance which is the only reason I mention it.
Oh, one last tip... beware of litle knee high people with cutting implements. They are trying to bring everyone down to their level. I think they might be small businessmen? | |
|
Naamah
|
Joined: 11/1/2008
Msg: 42 | |
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/15/2009 8:35:25 AM | | ^^^ I've learned so much from this thread already...the car seals needing to be fixed in order to car pool, ensuring stockings have a breathable gusset in bank robberies, making money by bribing people and stealing fruit, selling children, eating dirt...but *bumps Mandela out of the way* that's pure gold. And gold always holds its value well in an economic downturn. I feel all the richer for having read it. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 3:50:30 PM | #40 Dear Mr. Cirrus, The appliance I bought was a Sunair purchased in Bunnings. Was so impressed in fact that I’ve since purchased one for me. It works a treat.
only a dimwit nobody would try to big-note themselves by revealing acts of generosity
#41 Poor L.C. (no pun intended). Still clutching at straws. In fairness I do see where you’re coming from. Yeah, I thought about the ‘revealing acts of generosity’ bit myself. Decided to tell it like it was because I think the freezer compartments in most fridges are inadequate to do this. Had I simply stated that my friend had a freezer the usual forum pessimists (though of course there's none in this thread) would have wanted to endlessly debate the reason why she had a freezer and was not already bulk buying. As for helping out the kids. As far as I’m aware that’s just, plain ordinary, usual, everyday, parental behaviour.
#42 Your comments have actually brought to mind a couple of other savings Naamah. When I was young we kids with our 50 dollar cars could never afford tyres with tread on them when rego became due. Used to go to wreckers and buy them 2nd hand at about ¼ of the retail cost. Wonder if it’s still possible to do that?
Bit later on in life some of my more ancient vehicles (kept a few of the 50 dollar cars) required work to keep them roadworthy. Used to take them to a retired motor mechanic who repaired them in his home garage. Did excellent work at about half the normal trade cost. Think that saved me a fair amount over the years.
I’ve never bulk purchased fruit or veggies from roadside stalls to share around with friends and neighbours. I do purchase from them when I venture forth into the city every 6 weeks or so. Freshness is good and the price is certainly right. Wonder if there’s some merit in doing a ’collective’ buy?
There’s a few thousand dollars of annual savings suggested in this thread. Some of them are easily available to those who make an effort. I think this recession still has a fair way to go. It’s okay that those of this community who have responsibilities only to themselves should snicker and sneer. Many others have emotional and financial responsibilities beyond their own self importance and undoubtedly, some are having difficulty meeting these obligations. Perhaps this thread has lessened a little of their financial stress. That was it's intent. I should know. I wrote it.
Adieu guys. Think happy. Think well. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 8:14:05 PM | Thanks again to the master of the house, TYSr, for his wise words. He reminds me, more than a little, of this kindly gentleman...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFPsEwV38Q0&feature=related | |
|
Naamah
|
Joined: 11/1/2008
Msg: 45 | |
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 9:02:37 PM | ^^^ Great thinking. Mini ecosystems, kind of. Getting into the mindset of combining things is always good...although that's still an attempt to limit it to two species (potatoes and chickens) and isolating parts of nature always has drawbacks, given that nature was designed as a much bigger jigsaw. ...Some random points for consideration.
Growing the same crop in the same soil can cause depletion of some nutrients and addition of others, which is why they say to rotate what you grow in the same soil rather than aiming for continual use for the same crop which could cause soil disease. Also chicken poo is high in nitrogen, but too much nitrogen in soils can cause potato plants to grow less potatoes. Crop rotation, or mixing, might be the answer? eg add in something that will take up any excess nitrogen. I don't know enough about plants to be specific about what crops might be able to be alternated/combined to balance with potatoes and chook poo and counter potential soil problems, and indeed whether those crops would fill the same nutritional role as you intend for the potatoes...more research. 
Chickens actually need to eat fresh green grass for eggs to contain all the goodness they are claimed to contain...so will the intended volume of potato plants enable the growth of some grass? Chickens will need perches, as they don't actually sleep in nesting boxes unless are clucky. Chickens also need a soft dirt area for bathing, otherwise they will make one, sometimes to the detriment of plants if they are confined to a small area. Also, chickens do and will scratch the ground, which is fine around established plants as it assists with aerating the soil, but can cause seedlings to get dug up so allowance might be needed to keep them out of the areas where younger potato plants are establishing. Chickens also need to be sung to every night as they nod off to sleep. (Thought I'd squeeze that one in there, see if I could get away with it.)
Chickens stop laying during moulting season so there will be a down time to factor in with production. Possibly there might be another type of egg layer that moults at a different time that could be combined with the chooks to take up the slack? You'll also need to factor in loss of a percentage of consumable eggs if you intend to let the chickens sit on some and make new chickens, but at least that allows for the consumption of roosters born as you'll only want one in a small space to avoid brawling and wasteful losses. Swapping of roosters between 'cubes' will be needed periodically to avoid excessive in-breeding.
But I love the fact that you're trying to moreso work in with nature and use cross over benefits rather than force it to do what we want it to do in isolation of all else, which only ever works for the short term, and always at a cost to the true health benefits for the end consumer. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 9:10:59 PM | Just dont eat vegies...they taste like sh1te anyway and pound for pound chocolate is way cheaper.
Growing your own herbs is a good way to save a bit of dosh though and the fresh ones always taste so much better. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 9:14:26 PM |
LC, true to form - you are adapting to the spirit of the thread sooooo well. Ace adapter that I am... ^^^ I now have a new plan!
It took a while to get there, but this thread seems to have arrived at the topic? The suggestions you make are seductive, and your presentation convincing.
It's refreshing.
(lyingcheat begins to dig large hole in backyard for fish farm. Wonders if chickens can swim...) | |
|
Naamah
|
Joined: 11/1/2008
Msg: 48 | |
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 9:31:58 PM | Wonders if chickens can swim...
I have one chicken, Sophie, who was hatched and raised by a duck, and who once followed her mother duck into the pond and had a swim. The other baby chickens seemed to just know not to follow "mum" into the water, but much to my shock and horror, Soph ploughed on in to the water. I was heading in to rescue her, but lo and behold, she did swim. Did a few circuits, then got out. But she grew up rather affected I think as most of her own chicks have mysteriously drowned in water buckets. Never had any other chicks show any interest in getting in water buckets, so I think she was telling them to get in...and of course they couldn't get out again, and I'd find them drowned in the afternoon. Chick Welfare stepped in, investigations ensued, and Sophie is now banned from having any more children. But, as a swimming chicken, and resident whackjob, she might be willing to act in a consulting role with your money-saving Kontraseptic-inspired eco-project there LC. Or perhaps I will just ditch the vege garden idea, start marketing her as the world's only swimming chicken, and make money on the freak show circuit.
st dont eat vegies...they taste like sh1te anyway
Well as I mentioned to you...I did hear that smokers who eat fruit and veg are far more likely to get colon cancer than smokers who don't eat fruit and veg. So perhaps chocolate is a safer bet anyway. :laugh: | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/18/2009 10:10:31 PM | Ahhhhhhhh, Hilly all you have to do is get the chocolate manufacturers to make choccie vegies and you will be set.
But what would chocolate be if you don't have a good vintage fruit juice, fermented of course. | |
|
| Cheap veggies
Posted: 4/19/2009 2:34:04 AM |
start marketing her as the world's only swimming chicken, and make money on the freak show circuit.
Let's see, living in harmony with nature vs. making money... Go with the freak show. I'd pay to see a swimming chicken! | |
|
Home
login 
