Blog Feed: Frugal Foo's Melbourne Dining

Holiday or even Live Rent Free by House Sitting

Published on 2012-11-13 01:38:00

Image courtesy of photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net If you've ever wondered just how long you could travel or even live rent free by house sitting, this interview with serial house sitter James Cave has some very useful answers. Although no money

Fuel for thought: Reducing Petrol Expenses

Published on 2012-10-01 05:28:00

With the constant hike in prices of petroleum products in the recent years, families have been in the strain to keep family cars running. Four families have resorted to four different measures to counter and cut down the cost of fueling a car that makes up 2.6 percent of the weekly income. Downsizing to Hatchbacks The Kings have kept their old family car, the Ford Falcon for almost seven

"When I was your age..."

Published on 2012-09-30 06:56:00

Although it might sometimes seem that our parents and grandparents only tell us stories of hardship from times past in order to horrify the younger generation into being grateful for modern day wonders such as indoor plumbing and local anesthetic, today's guest post writer Agnes Jimenez, has discovered a far more useful interpretation.  Thanks for sharing Agnes!  Foo. The other day I was talking

Paying the Price When Petrol Pumps are "Not in Use"

Published on 2012-05-09 08:21:00

It really bugs me when I've waited for the low end of the petrol price cycle before I pull in to a petrol station to fill my car, which by then is running only on fumes and special words of encouragement from the driver, only to be confronted with "Not in Use" or similar signs on the nozzles.  On principle I will leave that petrol station and move on to another one risking running out of fuel on

Spend a Little Money Now to Save Yourself Money and Stress Later

Published on 2012-04-25 01:55:00

You can imagine how much fun I am at parties when I boast about not owning an umbrella, or describe my strategies to avoid buying sugar when travelling since sugar sachets are available freely at food courts and cafes. Chronic frugals who may have taken things a little too far and find themselves avoiding even the most basic purchases should read this guest post by Louisa Peterson.  It might

How to Take Charge of Your Shopping Addiction

Published on 2012-03-12 07:26:00

An important element to living a simpler and freer life with less clutter and more quality time, is learning to buy less stuff that you don't actually need. For some, this is a big ask. After reading today's guest post by Kristy Ramirez, I realise just how close I too have come to meeting some of the criteria for a shopping addiction.  In my case, Bunnings Warehouse hardware is my downfall. I

Car Tyre Ratings Sneaky Up-sell

Published on 2011-11-07 16:33:00

Understand how to read your car tyre load and speed ratings so that you buy the correct tyre you need rather than an expensive tyre you don't. New tyres were fitted to my car last week at the local tyre shop and do you know what's strange?  It seems I've had an upgrade to a higher performance specification of the tyres and I can't even remember asking for one. Now I'm not saying they are bad

Rest Easy in the Right Bed

Published on 2011-10-04 05:56:00

If you added up just how many precious hours are spent laying idle in bed during your short time on this planet, you'd probably need to go take a lie down.  This guest post from Any Fowler highlights the importance of finding the right bed.  Spotting the difference between a cheap bed and an inexpensive but good quality bed, will have a huge impact on the quality of your sleep over its many years

Ride Sharing

Published on 2011-08-29 17:06:00

It seems wasteful that I drive myself and 4 empty seats across town each day.  In this post, guest writer Sean Gray explains the many benefits of Ride Sharing and demonstrates that it might even be possible to give up your car.  Sean knows only too well how much of our hard earned money is typically tied up in the cars we own, since his business offers cash for used vehicles.  It's money that

Airport Transfers - Cheaper Alternatives to Taxis

Published on 2011-07-20 02:17:00

Airport shuttle buses and public transport are alternatives to expensive taxis and are conveniently available in more places than you might think. Planning the final leg of the journey from the airport to hotel is often left to the last minute or overlooked completely. But with airports popping up further and further away from town, and taxi fares on the rise, researching the airport transfer

Debt Consolidation

Published on 2011-07-16 01:46:00

When debt is out of control, consolidating all your debts into a single loan, may help manage your way back into the black. Today I have posted an interview with Marlon Powell of Debtcc to answer some questions about debt consolidation. Marlon shares his knowledge in various online forums and I am delighted to have the opportunity to pick his brain on this topic. 1) Foo: What are some of the

Work Lunches

Published on 2011-05-06 07:47:00

Enjoy cheap healthy work lunches without wasting precious time in the kitchen.  The cost of lunches at work adds up.  The money spent on the daily trip to the local cafe or food court over the course of a year could cost around $2400 assuming spend

E10 vs Unleaded

Published on 2011-03-18 20:36:00

Unleaded petrol containing up to 10% ethanol (E10) is becoming widely available as an alternative to regular unleaded petrol (ULP). In NSW it has replaced ULP at petrol stations. In states where there is still a choice at most petrol stations, E10

Moomba Festival

Published on 2011-03-01 06:00:00

Moomba 2011Where to go to see the Melbourne Moomba parade, rides and best value car parking. The Melbourne Moomba Festival is a long standing traditional cheap day of fun for Melburnians to round out the last of the warm weather before Autumn takes

Premium Unleaded vs Unleaded

Published on 2011-02-25 19:06:00

Fill up with the correct unleaded petrol for your car and avoid wasting time and money on high octane hype. Premium unleaded petrol is more expensive than regular unleaded Petrol, but the benefits may not justify the cost.  Not all cars can take ad

Royal Melbourne Show

Published on 2010-09-12 08:57:00

Royal Melbourne Show 2010Each year in spring, for the price of an entry ticket, the Royal Melbourne Show offers city slickers the chance to sample some of rural Victoria's finest produce, take a glimpse at country lifestyle and culture, then go spend

Part 3 - The Kids Learn How to Budget While Having a Fun Day Out

Published on 2010-08-04 05:42:00

The cost blow-out after breakfast is recovered.  Hot dinners and ice-cream close out the day and all money is depleted. Normally, 2 halves are equal to the whole, but at Subway, things are different.  A 12 inch sub divided into two, is cheaper tha

Part 2 Breakfast – The Kids Learn How to Budget While Having a Fun Day Out

Published on 2010-08-02 04:40:00

We attempt to order a Sunday breakfast for only $5 per head.  This was perhaps a little too ambitious. The invention of sliced bread was surely a profound milestone of last century.  Breakfast had certainly been made a little easier.  No longer d

Part 1 - The Kids Learn How to Budget While Having a Fun Day Out

Published on 2010-08-01 02:14:00

We set out to prove that you can dine out eating interesting meals, not junk food, for the entire day costing only $30 per person. The family are quite used to not being taken out for meals by their frugal dad.  They know that unless someone is tur

That Much Cheaper at WOTIF – WTF!

Published on 2010-06-25 19:48:00

Last minute accommodation online booking websites are still useful despite hotel price guarantees. The Stock Exchange symbol for wotif.com is WTF. It is also a three letter acronym perfectly describing how I felt recently when I discovered how much

DFO South Wharf, Melbourne

Published on 2010-03-08 02:56:00

DFO in Melbourne city is now harder to find, and bargains even harder. A DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) conveniently located right in the middle of Melbourne CBD above a major rail and bus terminal was just too good to be true. Late last year DFO in M

Where’s the Brazilian Bean been?

Published on 2010-01-09 03:08:00

An entire journey around the Earth ends at my table in a coffee cup at The Brazilian Bean cafe in Collins St. Those who are the best at their craft have had a hand in making my coffee where ever they are in the world. Beginning in Brazil where the co

Where to eat in Melbourne from under $30 per day

Published on 2009-10-10 23:43:00

It's not enough that I tell you where to go (and I mean that in the nicest possible way). Knowing where to eat in Melbourne city at value for money prices is as much about knowing a thing or two about how to seek out the best value cafe's and restaur

Melbourne's Food Court Underbelly

Published on 2009-09-26 17:34:00

This article uncovers an underworld of hidden Melbourne food courts offering excellent value for money and a variety of interesting fresh food. You could swing a T-Rex by its' tail in the ground floor lobbies of many city buildings. So much prime r

Camy Shanghai Dumpling House

Published on 2009-09-12 05:34:00

Sometimes it's more fun to leave a place with a story to tell, than to have had a "normal" night out. Despite anything you've heard about Camy the dumplings are worth it. I get the feeling nothing else matters more than dumplings here. Sur