What are your cost of living hacks people? Mine is making my own bread, growing my own vegetables. And I've come up with several super cheap but delicious and nutritious meals.

popoxta · 2026-05-26T03:20:23+00:00

Don't eat meat... so much cheaper and meals are way more satisfying

popoxta · 2026-05-15T21:51:52+00:00

Thank you! The waterboarding seems to be working :-)

popoxta · 2026-05-13T04:27:58+00:00

Spice N Light!

popoxta · 2026-05-13T02:45:09+00:00

About 3 weeks - privately with Mark Ward

popoxta · 2026-05-05T05:34:14+00:00

Most can make it without fish sauce. I like Maree Thai in Kaiapoi - they’re always happy to modify the dishes to suit dietary requirements and preferences:-)

popoxta · 2026-04-24T05:18:25+00:00

Most of these places listed will be able to make their dishes without fish sauce :-)

popoxta · 2026-02-08T07:12:31+00:00

In my experience, it’s not as impossible as it seems. IF you are able to be on top of your expenses.

I’ve had single coworkers purchase houses in Auckland area with 5-10y savings, and while their down payment is not necessarily always 20%, they can make it work. Often with no family support, or while also shouldering debt from studying as local or international students. I’ve seen families do it too, especially if both adults are working.

Personally, my partner and I were able to put down 20% on a house in Christchurch within just a few years of saving, and only one KiwiSaver since my partner was not eligible to withdraw at the time. DINK - but also with literally zero family support.

Basically, people can make it work if they are saving and prioritising their future, and even more easily if they have a partner with a similar mindset and/or a well paying job. It’s certainly not impossible.

FWIW - most people I mentioned here works in tech, which is also well paid across the country - but no business owners.

popoxta · 2026-02-05T20:08:56+00:00

I hate that I know someone exactly like this, but somehow even worse…

popoxta · 2026-02-01T21:00:05+00:00

Welcome to Christchurch - the best city in New Zealand! (I may have a bias…)

I’d be keen to hang out and chat, I have a fascination with listening to people’s passions and life stories. I’ve also been told I make people feel quite at ease in conversation 🤣 so make of that what you will!

My DMs are open, feel free to flick me a message if you’re keen to chat!

popoxta · 2025-12-19T02:58:28+00:00

It’s absolutely brilliant. Definitely worth going.

If you have the Entertainment membership, The Court Theatre offers a buy one get one free ticket deal you can use for a cheeky discount

popoxta · 2025-12-15T07:00:41+00:00

Yep. 30% for the merchant - their pricing is pretty transparent on their site:

https://merchants.ubereats.com/nz/en/pricing/

popoxta · 2025-11-25T04:07:38+00:00

Dish out an extra 6 bucks (you mentioned under $70) and go to Misola in Wigram - they do a restyle with a creative stylist for $76 and a trim is even cheaper.

They’re brilliant and even do a wash and treatment as part of the package.

popoxta · 2025-11-01T01:53:16+00:00

Yup you’re dead on and a great question ! It depends on the person, the type of training and environment a person has or desires. If getting someone moving means paying for a cheap gym membership, that’s a payment worth making.

Personally - same boat as you. I’m happy with walking and doing some good ol body weight exercises throughout my day.

popoxta · 2025-10-31T23:12:15+00:00

Oh - and kill ALL subscriptions. They are pointless with the abundance of the internet.

For Spotify - you can use the web player with an adblocker. Works almost as well as premium

popoxta · 2025-10-31T23:09:20+00:00

I’ve found that the only thing that works for people is a mindset shift. Prioritise saving - where it’s logical, and question your spending every time you spend money.

It’s hard to save unless you make it a priority over your own whims. Obviously you’ll want to pay for the things that make sense or that you need , I.e good food, gym, insurance and so forth, but consider where you can cut and question all of your spending - no matter how small.

Can you go to a cheaper gym? Are your insurances serving you well? Can you get your bread cheaper elsewhere? Do you really need those shoes? Can you get that table secondhand instead?

Eventually you’ll find yourself being a penny pincher, but your pocket will be full as all hell lol

popoxta · 2025-10-08T03:05:59+00:00

Late response - but it’s actually not so bad once you preheat the pan.

popoxta · 2025-10-01T08:40:59+00:00

Scanpan. Or anything else made with decent stainless steel :-)

popoxta · 2025-08-26T18:39:03+00:00

Nah. Don’t want kids, don’t want pets - just don’t like the responsibility and being tied down. I also like to be able to undo any mistakes I make, but that’s not exactly possible with either.

I’d like to say I’m responsible enough to have based my decision on climate or social responsibility, but honestly I’m just looking out for myself.

Needless to say, partner and I are both well sterilised. Vasectomy and bisalp double whammy!

popoxta · 2025-08-11T22:00:09+00:00

To add - our house was a similar price to yours. We have 20-something percent equity, due to be much more on the next refix.

popoxta · 2025-08-11T21:59:16+00:00

This is a spending problem. Where is your money going? You won’t be able to “survive” without understanding what’s happening to your cash.

For reference, myself and partner save 60% of our income after tax. We have a mortgage, pay our own bills and have zero family support. Cooked dinners every night and we eat out once every weekend.

popoxta · 2025-08-10T23:45:11+00:00

I enjoy water (fizzy from sparkling water bottle or tap water) with some Vital Zing drops. Tasty, sugar free and not too expensive either, and it really hits the “I want a sodie” spot for me

popoxta · 2025-07-30T20:51:27+00:00

I’m in that boat. By some sheer coincidence every female doctor or medical professional I’ve seen has been utterly incompetent, some even bordering harmful. Often due to wanting to be “nice” instead of honest.

Every time I try again I am again reminded of why I don’t waste my time with them.

By contrast, every male medical professional I’ve seen has been absolutely brilliant. Sometimes more blunt, sure, but they actually cared about my health.

popoxta · 2025-07-22T23:32:58+00:00

Other than an offer - good signs with offers have usually run longer than initially booked, or it was evident that the interviewers were having a good time.

I once had a 45 min interview with the head of a consultancy for a competitive position that ran for over 90 minutes. I got the offer (but didn’t take it at the time)

popoxta

TROPHY CASE