As we've mentioned before- New Zealanders are very frugal people who prove to be resourceful at making what they already have work. In their words when it comes to most challenges, "She'll be 'right". Here are ten ways we've noted the locals make their dollars stretch further:
1.Kids don't wear shoes- at school, in sports, going places in town. Our kids love it. Caution- their feet stay grubby, to say the least.
2.Do not pay more than $5,000.00 for a vehicle. (Real money should be spent on your boat.)
3.No tipping. I've gotten very used to this one.
4.Save on your power bill with no central heating or air conditioning, no clothes dryer, and leaving all the lights off. Dawn's so cute hanging clothes out on the line!
5.Avoid healthcare until the last minute, and, then, the socialized system hits it a lick and picks up the tab. Things go well until you're really sick.
6.Grow, catch or raise alot of your own food. Every house should have a sheep or two, a boat, a tractor, a garden, and many fruit trees.
7.Do not pay more than $10,000 for a boat and then go fishing as often as your wife and boss will let you.
8.Ignore fashion trends and just wear the clothes you were planning on giving away.
9.Walk alot. In general, most entertainment should be nearly free and involve the outdoors.
10.Repair everything until you can no longer get parts- then you may replace it with a used version bought off your neighbor.
In many ways, these values are very similar to my grandparents' generation and their parents who went through the depression. People living this way seem very content. I hope it is some comfort to those of you facing hard financial times.
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5 comments:
New Zealander ? Hey, these 10 steps are me ( Rock ) ! :)
Sounds like they have figured it out... expect for the socialized healthcare thing... are you worried about catching diseases from going around bare-foot???
SJB
You are right on!
I was told when I left NZ for the USA to "live like a kiwi over there and you'll do great". This advice was from a returning Kiwi who had lived in the US for 10 years or so.
Really enjoy your blog, keep it up!
So, while numbers, 1 and 4 might be the death of Chris, numbers 2, 3, and 8 might be able to balance them out!
Nolan and I actually planted and grew squash, zucchini, tomatoes and peppers in the garden at Katie's school and I felt like a gourmet farmer. There is nothing like picking your dinner veggies off the stems. Don't know if I could get used to the catching dinner part though.
Thanks for the wake-up call! This is great!
Hey Guys! So great to catch up on your lives. I am loving the pictures of the kids and can't believe how much they are growing. I'm so excited to stay in touch with what's happening in your corner of the world!
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