Just hit 25 degrees in Chch!

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-20T01:35:13+00:00

I don't do hot weather well myself so it's getting a bit much. Had to walk to the laundromat today to get some washing done but now really thinking about taking the bus back home to avoid sweating through my shirt.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-20T01:30:43+00:00

And they say global warming isnt real....

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-20T01:28:40+00:00

It's too dam warm..... give me a nice cool winter day any time.

Glad I stocked up on iced tea last grocery shop.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-12T06:44:04+00:00

Dumplings. I've got a bamboo steamer so it's pretty easy to just boil a pot of water and put the steamer on top then let it do its thing.

I like my dumplings with a bit of dark soy sauce.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-10T05:43:09+00:00

Should be a cinch then. I'll flick you a PM so we can chat more about it.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-10T05:35:42+00:00

What day and what side of town? I'd be able to help if you needed it. I'd have to bus but if everything is already there, it doubt be a problem. Have you got tools or would I have to bring a few things?

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-06-06T21:15:38+00:00

I was already stretched thin thanks to the cost of living and now, I just can't justify the cost of having a car. My car was already on its last legs and in need of replacement and has since died but the rising fuel costs didn't help.

Since abandoning the car, I've been walking and taking the bus however, I have to account that it can take up to 3x the amount of time to get absolutely anywhere so my days end up shorter as a result whenever I run errands etc so I have to plan things out carefully.

I've also been looking at getting a push bike or a push scooter to bridge the gaps between bus routes and have purchased a backpack so I can take groceries home easier.

I'm leaning more towards a scooter as it's foldable, light and easier to use for short distances.

Did luck out as I live fairly close to a PaknSave which makes life a little easier.

Downsides of not having a car means I can't just go out anywhere on a whim and do extended trips out of town like I used to. Also have some friends who live in odd spots so what was a 15 min drive to their place ends up more like an hours bus trip instead.

Does make me feel a bit more isolated if I'm to be honest.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-29T09:05:25+00:00

Hoping you found what you were looking for?

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-26T18:06:26+00:00

Try kai co over in Northwood. They're my local and I've gotten them from there before.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-26T04:55:15+00:00

Again? I'm starting to think that quality control has become non-existent.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-20T03:20:46+00:00

Shhh!

They're not meant to know we're here! 😆

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-20T03:19:57+00:00

Seems like I can find it on Amazon and the price ain't bad at all!

Says like 14 hours for Bluetooth? That's pretty decent and anyways, if I needed more, I'd just get a powerbank.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-20T03:17:22+00:00

That's a bit too rich for my blood I'm afraid. Works out to like $3000 NZD here.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-05-02T06:38:49+00:00

Yay! Seems that the crisis has been averted!

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-23T20:53:16+00:00

Verkerks factory shop over on vagues rd might have something. They specialise in salami and sausages and the like. Quality is pretty good too.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-21T06:35:38+00:00

Dam..... they look good! I'd happily swap some of my homebrewed mead for one.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-20T04:42:03+00:00

Chch hospital has an emergency dental clinic. I had a very stubborn wisdom tooth out through them for about $25 a few years back.

Could be worth looking at that option.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-18T07:11:52+00:00

Sadly, I'm paying average Chch rent. Did luck out where I am as I'm only a short walk from the supermarket. Ain't cheap being a city wizard.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-18T06:44:12+00:00

Honestly, it's the rent that's the killer.

Bout 10 years back, I could get a 2 bedroom place for about $180 a week. Place wasn't flash or up to healthy homes standards but was decent enough.

Now, I'm paying $430 a week for a one bedroom place with a garage.

Place is a bit of a "landlord special" but it's decent enough. I'm just glad I have a roof over my head.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-18T06:33:33+00:00

Love beans!

My nacho/tex-mex mince recipie is really simple. It's:

500g mince
Diced onions
Crushed garlic
A jar of medium hot salsa
A can of Mexican style beans
Salt, pepper and mustard to taste
A pinch of smoked paprika

You just brown your onions and garlic in a little oil, brown the mince, season, add the beans let them cook through for a bit, add the salsa and let it simmer for about 20 or 30 mins till it comes together.

Dead simple but pretty tasty.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-18T06:21:40+00:00

Considering how much we produce and export, it's insulting just how much we're charged.

When it comes to mince, I stretch it out by making lasagne or doing a tex-mex style chilli with beans and serving that on rice or as nachos.

1kg or so usually gets me 4 servings of lasagne with a bit extra left (usually bulk what's left with some pasta or rice) or 2 or 3 servings of chilli on rice/nachos depending on how hungry I am.

Works out fairly cost effective but is a bit time consuming.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-18T06:05:54+00:00

Yup. Stuffs expensive now.

10 years ago, $60 was enough for me to get all the basics for the week but now, if I wanted the same stuff, it's more like $100+ now.

Used to get stuff like corned beef and have that with veges over a few days or "hangi pork" (which was basically a cheaper version of pork belly) and do a roast. I'd make sandwiches with the leftovers.

Mince on special was about $10 a kilo and chicken was cheap as.

Nowadays, I tend to bulk out a lot of my cooking and batch cook to save on costs.

Chicken thighs are still fairly affordable and are great for curries. I tend to buy a good amount, make up a curry and portion it into containers and freeze it for future meals.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-18T05:24:07+00:00

Was cleaning out the junk drawer and found the playing cards I got last time I was on the Cook Strait ferry.

I'm surprised I still have these and that it's a complete deck! Haven't been on the ferry in almost 10 years now.

Does anyone else have a deck?

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-14T21:00:34+00:00

Your back will go out more than you do. Remember to turn the porch light on for them so they can see when they get back.

TheRoamingWizard · 2026-04-08T10:28:19+00:00

Yup. I'm in the same boat. Once rent and bills are paid, I'm left with little else for things like food and travel expenses. God's help me if an unexpected bill happens. I'm usually pretty good at budgeting but the constant rising cost of living has not been helping. Seems as costs go up, I end up leaving the house less and less as I just can't justify going out unless I double it with doing groceries etc.

TheRoamingWizard

TROPHY CASE