Budget Tips for Grey Nomads?

Cee · Senior Member

Budget Tips for Grey Nomads?

Happywanderer · The Master

Totally agree with you Cee, I have a tight budget and can do with all the tips anyone can come up with. Other than free camping to save on C/P fees, I really could do with other good ideas.

Sheba · Guru

That's why I am a member of a couple of other similar Forums. You'll always find some-thing different in other places. I've noticed several other Grey Nomadites on the other ones too.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Happywanderer · The Master

Me too Sheba, but the other one doesn't seem to get too many updates. May be two people post every couple of days if lucky.
I like this one cause its fast and furious!!

Helena · Guru

What are the other forums that you are on Helena.

Sheba · Guru

Have PM'd you both, and Marj, this one used to be a hell of a lot more lively than it is now.
It's slowed down a lot. Will bring you up to speed when we finally meet.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Sheba wrote:
Have PM'd you both, and Marj, this one used to be a hell of a lot more lively than it is now.
It's slowed down a lot. Will bring you up to speed when we finally meet.

Cheers,
Sheba.

I'm on a couple of other forums also & they can be great for advice because of the large amount of contributers but they can also sometimes get a bit too lively.

Cheers

Jon

Zoomtopz · Guru

GN's yawn in a "wobbly" biggrin "fast & furious" disbelief

That I would jirst lurv to see furious

Richo biggrin

Helena · Guru

Thanks Sheba have taken note and will have a look. Helena.

lyn-n-ken · Senior Member

hi
what a great idea cee we travel on a pension so all money saving ideas are appreciated
lets see if we can get a sticky
lyn

Happywanderer · The Master

To carry good fresh drinking water. Get yourself a good quality 10 litre water bottle, maybe 2, fill up from your own tap before you leave home then fill up from friends etc along the way, where ever you can find good quality fresh water guaranteed. Beats having to buy bottled water from the supermarkets as you travel costing a forturne.

Keep it just for drinking and maybe brushing your teeth.

lilly31 · Guru

i know when i travel the biggest coast for me is petrol so with price the way they are now anyone have any idea to save there ...... food i dont have problem ...i try to get vegies fruit of any market or road side shop where i am ...meat not to much of drama i dont need that much ... u can live easy on budget if u know where to look in first place and in supermarket fruit. vegies. meat and bread is usully lot cheaper if not half price after about 7 pm ....

Happywanderer · The Master

Good ideas there lilly, I'm the same, roadside stalls or markets or supermarkets for specials later in the day.
Not sure if there is a way of getting a bargain on petrol other than the supermarket dockets. Get the family to buy you petrol vouchers for mothers day and birthdays is my only thought. I have already asked.

Sheba · Guru

Zoomtopz wrote:

GN's in a "wobbly" "fast & furious"
That I would jirst lurv to see
Richo

Go back a couple of years zoomtopz.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Cruising Granny · Guru

A couple of the wobbliest, fastest and most furious either left because they chucked a fast, furious wobbly, or someone chucked a fast and furious wobbly at them.
I'm enjoying the more positive, placid informative GN these days.
It's the friendly information sharing which is my fave.
There is no need for the one-up-manship. If we don't know we can ask. If we do know we can advise and share advice. It's not black and white, but the more we can share, the more we can put in our memory banks for future reference.
The other enjoyment is meeting fellow GNs anywhere and everywhere. This week it was at Salisbury, SA, meeting up with Gary and Kerry.

Sheba · Guru

I haven't been away long enough to have to take it yet, [ take enough from home so far.] but I bought this Water Filter unit at a Hardware store for around $ 50.00. I filter tank water at home, and use it as a second one .

This one is made of Plastic, so is very light when empty, therefore perfect to take on the road. Filters about 20 litres over a 24 hour period, in 2 lots, so when you've filled a large water bottle, you can dismantle it [3 pieces] before you get on the road again.

You can get refill Filters at any Bunnings store.

Cheers,
Sheba.

--

-- >

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 27th of March 2011 09:50:34 PM

Helena · Guru

A tip that was given to me on the road and it works was to keep your vegies longer wrap them in foil shiny side out and keep in the fridge they last for ages also use powdered milk it is easy to carry and a lot cheaper a litre than fresh yes I know I turned my nose up at powered milk as had it years ago and hated it but decided to try it and seems to be a lot better now buy the cheap one from Woolies it is just as good as the expensive brand. Hope this helps a bit we all need these kind of hints great idea Cee. Helena.

ozi2 · Guru

Helena wrote:
A tip that was given to me on the road and it works was to keep your vegies longer wrap them in foil shiny side out and keep in the fridge they last for ages also use powdered milk it is easy to carry and a lot cheaper a litre than fresh yes I know I turned my nose up at powered milk as had it years ago and hated it but decided to try it and seems to be a lot better now buy the cheap one from Woolies it is just as good as the expensive brand. Hope this helps a bit we all need these kind of hints great idea Cee. Helena.

Hi Helena, good tip re foil and yes, powdered milk cheaper,lighter and can be used for scones etc when camping.

Gary and Kerry · Guru

ozi2 wrote:
Helena wrote:
A tip that was given to me on the road and it works was to keep your vegies longer wrap them in foil shiny side out and keep in the fridge they last for ages also use powdered milk it is easy to carry and a lot cheaper a litre than fresh yes I know I turned my nose up at powered milk as had it years ago and hated it but decided to try it and seems to be a lot better now buy the cheap one from Woolies it is just as good as the expensive brand. Hope this helps a bit we all need these kind of hints great idea Cee. Helena.
Hi Helena, good tip re foil and yes, powdered milk cheaper,lighter and can be used for scones etc when camping.

We bought vegie bags and that was a waste of money so will give the foil a try. Thanks for the tip.

Still can't handle powdered milk, we always have an emergency litre of UHT, use it, replace it straight away.

we got caught short in Kings canyon and paid $7 for a litre of UHT, never again.

-- Edited by Gary and Kerry on Monday 28th of March 2011 10:39:08 AM

Firefly · Guru

We do the powdered milk thing as well. We also carry UHT cream which is great for a treat with tinned fruit etc.

With our vegies we will try the foil trick as well but we also vacuum seal them. They do last a lot longer that way. smile

Happywanderer · The Master

I've bought vege bags, the mushrooms last just as long in a brown paper bag. Like the idea of the veges wrapped in foil, will do that, have to remember shiny side out.
Didn't know you could get a UHT cream. Must get some, Happy to use the milk, not so sure on the powdered milk although handy to have some in the cupboard in case run out of UHT.
Stock up on packet meals (rice, ) and tins tuna, salmon BB Spag, creamed corn, etc when on special. Pack in back of cupboard in case no good markets or road side stores around for a while. They last longer than trying to cram everything in a tiny fridge.

Firefly · Guru

Another thing we found a life saver was, believe it or not, fruit juice poppers, whatever brand and flavour you like.

In the hotter areas, we took to freezing them and throwing them in our back pack when we went sight seeing. They kept nice and cold as they thawed and were also a welcome change to plain water, which we also carry in the back pack. Also a backpack similar to a camel back has been extra handy. We bought the cheaper version and use them regular.

I bought myself a backpack handbag as well. I found that its so much easier to throw it on my back when shopping and having my hands full, also when walking etc. Just a little pet dislike of mine, carrying a handbag that is. smile smile

Small packs of wet one in the back pack along with sunblock and aerogard. The Avon two in one is excellent for that. Nice and compact.

I was laughed at by my partner for buying my fly net for over the hat. UNTIL we were in some serious fly areas and I think my $6 net I could have sold for $100 at times. Never swallowed one fly, can't say that for the other half though.

ChiChi1 · Guru

You can easily make quite a nice cabarnarra using dried stuff from the pantry. UHT cream, pasta, dried peas, bacon flavour, garlic, parmesan. Not quite as good as all fresh but acceptable. Not a fan of UHT but will use it in coffee. Have to think how I can have fresh milk for my tea. lol.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Fly net essential at this time of year out bush. Flys aren't scared of aeroguard at all.

tabby · Member

Thanks for the tip Helena re the veges, i bought a pack of the green vege bags what a waste of money, you live and learn.

Happywanderer · The Master

Thank you Firefly, just reminded me to hunt in wardrobe for fly net I bought at market couple of years ago, found and packed.

Firefly · Guru

smile smile smile

You will be happy its packed Marj.

Something else I invested in was a good sturdy pair of hiking boots that come up the ankle a bit. I wasn't keen, the other half insisted and I spent a lot of time in them last trip. They keep the water out, help hold the foot stable for an ankle roll over and are just thrown back in the cupboard in the van.

Aldi had some on sale a week or so back and may still have them in some stores. wink

Happywanderer · The Master

Are they leather Firefly or a high ankle jogging sneaker?

pricey43 · Guru

When you travel up North, the need to keep the fluid up is important. With drinking so much more, the plain old water gets very boring.
We carry cordial which just breaks the bland water taste and seems much more refreshing. I am diabetic so we use the sugar free coola. I have also been told that when drinking water from different places a strong cordial with artificial flavors and ingredients helps avoid stomach upsets.
(http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/73724/CordialWater.aspx?ky=%22First+Aid%22&p=%2FForum%2FDefault.aspx%3Fs%3D1%26ky%3D%2522First%2BAid%2522%26pn%3D1)
We make up bottles at night and put them in the Engel which we use as a freezer. They're nicely frozen to go in the cool pack with the sandwiches when we head out the next day.
Also cool pops or similar, fit in the freezer around other things and are great to enjoy on a warm day.

Happywanderer · The Master

I think I've heard the raspberry cordial is the best for avoiding stomach upsets.
Must go to op shops and look for a backpack I can use instead of handbag for handsfree.