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• Budgeting
• DIY projects
• Gardening
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• In the kitchen

Budgeting

Are credit cards the devil? If you are considering getting a credit card (or perhaps cutting yours up) you should weigh up both the costs and the benefits of having one of these pretty pieces of plastic in your wallet.

DIY projects

All about concrete One of my first jobs was as a construction worker with a concrete team, so I learnt a thing or two about the material. This knowledge came in very handy when we bought our first house and started landscaping. Some people find working with concrete scary, perhaps because if you make a mistake it can be very hard to go back. But there is really not much to it once you know what you are doing. Door knob installation Whether you have just installed a new internal door, or you have an old door that needs a new door knob, you may be asking yourself if you should attempt to install the door knob yourself. The door knob sets found at most hardware stores are not difficult for the confident DIYer to install. We have a few tips to get you started. The $1,000 kitchen When we first thought about renovating our kitchen, we had grand ideas of knocking out walls and installing brand new joinery. But, as is often the case, when we started working out costs our plans had to be scaled back. We ended up spending about NZ$1,500 all up (less than US$1,000). Top five ways to keep costs down with DIY Most people get into DIY to save money, although there is also a certain sense of satisfaction that comes with doing your own renovations and other projects. But costly mistakes can eat into your savings. Here is our list of the top five ways to keep costs down when you go DIY.

Gardening

Composting at home Making your own compost is rewarding on many different levels. If you are into recycling then you will love turning your own food and garden waste into something useful. For the home gardner, compost will improve the soil structure and fertility. Homemade seed-raising mix Good seed raising mix is essential to give your plants a head start in life. But seed raising mix can be expensive. If you get into gardening in a big way sooner or later you are going to be looking for an alternative. How to store tomatoes long-term If you have had success at growing tomatoes, then chances are you now have more tomatoes than you can use in a short space of time. Tomatoes will store for up to a couple of weeks or more under normal conditions, but if you want to store your tomatoes for the longer-term, there are two main options: freezing and bottling. When summer lets you down What happens when you are trying to grow your own vegetables but the weather doesn't play ball?

Saving money

Breaking spending habits Have massive debts and overspending crept up on you? Perhaps you're struggling to save for essentials or even the latest gadget you've had your eye on. This article will help get you started on your way to financial security, what ever your income level. Dog grooming Dog salons aren't cheap. If, like me, you have a dog who needs a trim regularly it can begin to eat away at your hard earned savings and become a burden you'd rather not have. But fear not - there is a solution to maintaining your dog's coat, right in the comfort of your own home and at no cost! Raising chickens Raising your own chickens can be a good way to obtain laying hens, whether you have your own rooster or you purchase chicks from a breeder. Training your dog Training your dog yourself is a rewarding experience and is very cost effective. Professional obediance training can be quite expensive.

In the kitchen

Living with a food allergy or intolerance If you have just discovered you are allergic or intolerant to a certain food or foods, you may be having mixed feelings. On the one hand you may be relieved to know why you sometimes feel sick after eating a meal. But on the other hand you may be worried about how you will cope living with your condition. This article discusses the difference between an allergy and an intolerance, and offers loads of advice from someone who has traveled this road. Preserving fruit Preserving fruit is ideal when you have a surplus of fruit, fruit ripening faster than you can keep up with, or simply to keep a supply of fruit in the cupboard all year round.

Natural Product Reviews

Lucas' Papaw Ointment Pros: smells great, gentle on skin, a little goes a long way Cons: not as effective as antiseptic for relieving insect bites Natio Glow Moisturiser Pros: extremely moisturising, sinks into skin well, creates smooth plump skin Cons: contains parabens, pricetag Next Generation Dish Liquid Pros: chemical free, smells nice, affordable Cons: nothing Organic Care Shampoo & Conditioner Pros: Gentle and nourishing on hair, chemical free, affordable Cons: Nothing Primal Earth Shave Gel Pros: gentle on skin, lathers just as well as other gels, natural Cons: a bit pricier than other shaving gels, not easy to source Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Deodorant Pros: Smells great, is aluminium free, does provide some protection Cons: A little more costly than your average deodorant, not as effective as aluminium deodorants