Hi cheapies - it's the time of the year again where I have no job hence cutting down on expenses and only buying what's needed.
I've been thrifting so much that I thought it's probably possible to get free food from some places? Anyone has any ideas? I only know of hellofresh deals but are there other places where we can get these? Sorry probably not ethical but desperate times thanks!
Thanks! Will try this now to see a food bank
Foodprint offer reduced food at cafes near end of day
Thanks have just installed - says sold out. I'll try tomorrow morning to see if there's some food.
If you add your local places as favourites, you'll get alerts if those places have anything available. Don't expect every place to have something every day, it can be very hit and miss. Also, if you look on the Map, you can see places from outside your local area that have things available.
I'm guessing you get all the freebie deals from here but I got an code for a free kiwiburger if you want it.
Yeah that's what I've been doing - scouring the cheapies for food deals. Had one 3 weeks ago from the myfoodbag I think.
If you are in Auckland look up Everybody Eats. They offer a free dinner meal and it's pay as much as you can afford.
Try talking to your local bakery or produce store, they may be willing to let you take older stock that would otherwise be discarded, maybe for a small fee. It's remarkable the things you can do with stale bread, and just because the veggies have gone a bit soft or discoloured doesn't mean they're inedible. So long as there's no mould or rot, both these food groups are quite edible past their "best before" dates, and can be cooked up into very tasty dishes.
Good luck, it's a tough time to be out of a job. Hope things work out for you soon.
I'll try this as well tomorrow thanks!!!
Could ask to visit a close friend for dinner. I love catching up and chatting, and it seems like we all drift apart too quickly.
There's something funny about an answer on cheapies.nz essentially being 'mooch off of your friends'.
But if people want to come around ill clear out the freezer for them
Have just moved to a new city so not much friends to go to unfortunately. If I was still on Welly, I could've tried this asap. Thanks for this though.
The drifting apart too quickly is also true too. Most people just ask "How are you?" or "How you doing?" without meaning it. Saying fine also deflects those as well along with some toxic mascu… oops it's getting deep sorry.
What do you do for work when you say it’s the time of the year again where you have no job?
I have extended family who earn reasonable money in summer but nothing in winter, but they budget out for the whole year to avoid desperate times.
Yeah it's just bad times this year - contract ended with the govt and most job hiring were freezed due to the election stuff. Hopefully should bounce back up this year.
I'm confused. Are you only looking to get another government contract? Why not take on a different job temporarily?
Yeah I've been Uber Eats-ing and trying to apply for open hospitality jobs (Carl's Jr, KFC) but they don't accept my application unfortunately.
Seeing you are not working, join your local community garden. You may get skills in growing your own veges and they may have suplus veges you can take home.
Thanks - saw a community garden and went yesterday - mostly seeds and succulents. I'll try to see others if they have some produce.
Or you could grow your own? Speak with a neighbour who would be glad to give you excess seeds, usually too many in a packet to use before expiry. Don’t need a garden, you can recycle many containers including milk bottles for simple food needs.
Thanks yeah I've got some onion and spinach growing right now. I'll try to plant more
Good easy to grow plants that you can't really go wrong with: snow peas, dwarf beans, Tom Thumb or other small lettuce, capsicum, radishes, tomatoes.
If your on a winz benefit you have a food grant allowance that you don't need to pay back.
Strawberries and green climbing beans produce a lot of food because they keep producing for months. Check out " the 3 sisters " you grow a corn plant then a green bean to climb up it and a pumpkin at the base. It's called companion planting very efficient and pretty fun
Thanks will check this out.
Have a clear out and put it all on trademe.
If you haven't used it in 2 years is a good rule
Yeah that's a good idea - haven't actually thought about selling but will try to post some now on fb marketplace thanks
Never buy takeaways and get all your food from paknsave and the mad butcher is another great rule
I get the $15 vege and fruit bag from a Foodtogether pop-up. They usually post the contents for the week on local Facebook groups.
try the app 'olio' to see if it's in your area - i often get food from people\s pantry clearouts on there. Also google if there is a pataka kai near you.
My local fruit and veg has a $1 bin. Sometimes i might end up with 5 cauliflower but that's fine, always something to make and freeze
Depends where you live, but shellfish are free to gather (just know the limits). Flounders can be speared, just need a torch and a homemade spear. And fishing can be cheap, right now here (Nelson) Tasman Bay is full of snapper, everyone's catching heaps.
If you haven't used Doordash yet, click on the referral links here. I have had 2 free orders so far and still have some credit left
Mad butcher has skinless chicken breast $10.99 kg. Use a tempura batter recipe and make chicken nuggets. They're legend good and very cheap to.make.
You can get made chicken nuggets for $11 a kg but if you read the ingredients they're only 51% chicken
No shame in going to your local food bank/pantry etc if money is tight, typically will give you a 3 day supply of food for a family and take your name down to ensure there no misuse of their service like multiple people from same household claiming. You would be welcome to go back etc, just tell them your situation and ask what help they can offer you. Some also offer financial planning help or can put you in touch with people if that interests you.
Google your city and food bank or food pantry and have a read, you can always donate some of your time or money at a later date in return if you wish. I used to go help bag the bags twice a week at our local and it was nice to give back. Some community organisations may also offer reduced price food bags/boxes of fruit/veg etc.