dlmckay

That's great, because convenience foods (jars/heat & eat) are expensive. There's been some discussion about Fruit World/local grocers. Definitely cheaper and definitely better quality. I too, am amazed at the cost of lamb in the country that produces it ($27.99/kg compared to chicken at $4.99/kg for drumsticks or $9.99 for breast; or pork at around $12.99/kg)
It's been some time since I budgeted in the UK, but I do remember a LOT more "extra" money at the end of paying all the bills. Luxuries like magazines, snicker bars and impulse purchases are forever gone. Buying a big ticket item like a washing machine is more likely to have me searching TradeMe than Bond & Bond.

On the flip side, I do remember purchasing fully comprehensive car insurance for a giggle because it was so ridiculously cheap in comparison to the Third Party that was all I could afford in the UK. Glad I did really, as some bugger ran into my car when it was on the drive and took off... Wouldn't be without it now, as a scary number of people drive without insurance as it's not compulsary here.

The MOT is a WOF here and is done six monthly, not annually, so that's another one to be aware of.

My one tip to any newbie is, if you see a bargain, grab it. Nothing worse than missing out because they're not bringing in anymore stock!

TommyLuck

Appreciated dlmckay. Thank you.

As for;

Already a practice of mine, although with new currency I imagine it'll take me a small while to work out if something is genuinely a bargain or not.

I was delighted to visit earlier in the year and march straight in to a Kathmandu sale - I bought over a $1,000 dollars worth of wet and windy weather gear and a few other bits and pieces for $400.

In. My. Element.

simonsi

As with lots of shops here, "Sales" run nearly back-to-back.

Oh and take advantage of the loyalty clubs, the Kathmandu one is def worth it.

Mark Smith

On a slightly related note, I'm looking for a machine to replace ours. Has anyone got anything good or bad to say about the retailer Norman Ross?

higgy2

We are still on Tesco's mailing list

Here is the link incase anyone was interested in current prices.

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Speci...s/default.aspx

higgy2

Link does not work, sorry I will try later.

It would seem I cannot add the Tesco site. I was only
mentioning out of general interest.

BEVS

No worries Higgy.

People can poodle about via the usual Tesco site. I've used it to send Christmas goodies to my MIL back in Wolverhampton.

higgy2

Thanks Bev

bearskin

In 'everyday' expenses, has anyone mentioned heating costs?

These can be a big variance depending not only on your choice of method, but also on the property itself.

I know people who chew through quite big bills in winter running heaters - even Heat Pumps, whereas our heating bill consists of whatever firewood I have decided to pay for in the autumn. Some years i make the effort to source as much free wood as possible, and sometimes i just pay for a couple of cubic metres to be dumped on the driveway..

In terms of your property... just which way your building faces - ie does it get the sun shining in on a winters day, makes a big difference. Also, is it well insulated (for a couple of days work and a couple $Ks you can fairly easily insulate your above and below) makes a big difference.

I know some families who have gone down the route of a home ventilation system (eg HRV here in NZ) that not only provides enough ambient heating for them to have a tiny heating bill, but has improved other factors in their homes - damp, ventilation, allergy reliefs...

Personally, I'm pleased with the woodburner option we chose when renovating. I just LIKE it. I like chopping the wood (when I have to/choose to). I like laying the fire. I like looking at the flames. I like the heat. I like cooking on the top - it's a radiant version and we use it at least once a week to prepare food on in winter. I like the appearance of it. I quite like the fact that firewood is a renewable resource.

Ex Aucklander

University of Otago is free, at least it used to be.

Clappy

At the current exchange rate of approximately 1NZD = 1.95GBP then the salaries in NZ look comparable to the salaries in the UK. Even the legal minimum-wage in the two countries is similar. Of course at this exchange rate then the houses in NZ are more expensive than the UK.

If the exchange rate is 1NZD = 3GBP, which was the rate it hovered around for the ten years before I moved to NZ, then the comparisons are turned on their head.



I work in IT here in NZ. The technology that I have to work with now would have been considered 'old-fashioned' in the UK twenty years ago. It's a lot of fun.

Assanah

I don't think that this information is correct. I just had a look. Domestic fees are about $600-4500 per paper. Maybe I am looking at the wrong information so please correct me because I would be interested in taking a few courses. I also looked at the courses at Massey a while ago and they all were around $600.
In Germany you pay €200-500 per semester (sic!). That also includes a ticket for the public transport. That is cheap. NZ is expensive. Things are changing in Germany as well though. Some universities start to charge quite a lot for Master programs.

lardyl

nah but close....S.I.T. advertise zero fees for NZers.

Persephone

One comment about prescriptions, if you're on a particular medication ask your doc whether there is a funded version as this will cost you only $3 per script.
The active ingredients will be the same but the tradename is different. Obviously it all depends on what you take but always worth checking before carrying on with what you were on in the UK. I have changed pills 3 times since getting here-exactly the same dose and active ingredients but different tradename.

Snap Shot

I'd be interested in the reply to this as I saw a washing maching for sale at Norman Ross for $349. Our rental period on our washing maching had not expired so I didn't get it.