How to Stay Warm in Winter

We’ve been freezing in New Zealand lately! Sunny days and amazing coffee are a reprieve. With rising power bills and cost of groceries, we look into ways to keep warm in winter without paying too much for electricity.

Here are some tips:

1. Use a water bottle. This technique really works. It’s heavily used in Japan even in wealthier homes.  Some cost-effective options can be reviewed online.

Winter Bottle Warmer

Portable Silicone Hot Water Bottle

Cute Mini Hot Water Bottle

       2.  Close the curtains before sunset to keep the heat in. Below are some options to review.

Insulated Curtains

Blackout Curtains Warm 

      3.  Regularly hydrate. Drinking warm water every hour is not only good for the body but also helps productivity.

Stainless Steel Thermos Vacuum Flask

Smart Thermos with Digital Display

 

     4.  Use LED table lamps. Here are some options for review.

LED Table Lamp

LED White Sleek Table Lamp

LED Office Desk Lamp (Long Arm)

 

 

 

5.  Use an affordable power provider. It is useful to check power usage every 2 to 3 days by logging into your power company’s user account.

First use this link to check if this low-cost power service is available in your area.

Then make the easy switch. 

6.  Air out the house during the day. When you get up in the morning, open some rooms or windows. I'd make it a point to open the bathroom windows. 

7.  If you can, cook before sunset so there’d be less moisture in the house at night.

8.  Wear layers, thick socks and a beanie - yes even inside the house. Keeping your body warm is a more efficient solution than turning up the heat.

 Warm Top for Men

Warm Turtleneck Top for Women 

           Winter Beanie 

9. Exercise during the day. Keep your body moving. Get your metabolism going so your body will generate enough heat.

10.  Use a window wiper when necessary. There are many low cost product solutions at Kmart for this and it’s super effective. When we heat our homes in winter, we'd have to expect some level of condensation on windows in the morning when there is temperature difference in and outside the house. We'd usually use a window wiper squeegee to wipe off excess water.  It is more cost-efficient than buying a dehumidifier. 

Shower Squeegee Glass Wiper 

I hope these tips & ideas help!

There are many products online for your review. Effective use of money is a life skill and will make us more resilient. I wish you a warmer winter!

Things to do in Whanganui

What are the most interesting things to do in Whanganui? A great question! If you have never heard of this town before and you want to come and see for yourself, I'm going to list some wonderful suggestions, my personal favourites. Perhaps it could be your first stop on your journey to living an exciting life that is full of pleasant surprises!

Things to Do in Whanganui: My List

Cafes, gardens come to mind when I think of Whanganui. Some of these cafes are quite rustic and delightful, you'll catch yourself smiling. The main place to start is the Mud Ducks Cafe which is located next to the Whanganui I-site or Visitor Centre. Look around there for a while and then go explore some of the many day trip ideas.  Check out Mud Ducks on this link.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Shopping - Visit La Station Design Store for a unique and surprising shopping experience. You'll find amazing homeware and gifts! See all La Station reviews here.

2. Take a walk along the river. You can go across the bridge and spend some time at the Kowhai Park. When physical activity is involved, your brain is more likely to come up with new ideas. Fresh air helps, too! Aside from the river walk, Whanganui is also known for it's Winter Gardens at Virginia Lake and Whanganui Bason Garden. These are top local and tourist favourites.

3. For an early dinner treat, I've discovered a few wonderful places like FRANK, Maria Lane and the Red Lion across the river. 

4. A Glass Art Gallery and the Whanganui Museum are a quick walk from the Mud Ducks cafe and definitely a must-see.

I hope these ideas inspired you to visit this beautiful North Island town! :) Meet the friendliest locals! 

A Walk In The Bason Park

Bason Botanical Gardens in Wanganui has been acclaimed by the New Zealand Gardens Trust as a 'Garden of Regional Significance', so it's one of the places to visit in Wanganui. Once part of a farm, the gardens were gifted to Wanganui by Stanley and Blanche Bason in 1996.  

Kowhai Park Walk

 

 Kowhai Park
Walk along the Mighty Wanganui River

 

A Walk Along the River

Hot sun, chilly breeze. Perfect day for a walk along the river. Refreshing leisurely strolls around the Whanganui River is good for the health. 

Whanganui Dream Project

I've always admired at the old Fire Station building in Guyton St in Whanganui. I used to buy second hand furniture near there, some kind of auction place - every Thursday. Then over the years, I discovered that there was a fancy apartment for sale in this area plus a ballet school. I thought, wow, that's just a marvellous setting for an apartment! In the middle of town and in an impressive building.

Credits: Rent a Chef

However, I've always thought that this huge, beautiful structure is under utilised. I had imagined it to be a mini-Melbourne Station with boutique shops and small cafes. I didn't expect any solution could come about quickly considering that for many years, Whanganui, NZ was a depopulating town.

Two entrepreneurs bravely took on the Old Fire Station dream project.

Here is their story and here is their concept.

Over the last 2 years Brian & Tracy have continued the restoration and beautification work that the previous owners Geoff & Jody had started – painting, insulation, earthquake strengthening, fire report implementation and gardens etc. have all been completed.

Today the building contains Chonel Hairdressers, Whanganui Ballet School, Station House AirBNB, Brian & Tracy’s Apartment and La Station Design Store.

Learn more about Tracy and Brian’s journey and the history of the building on the OUR STORY page. 

Credits: La Station Design Store Website

Beautiful, hand-picked furniture from La Station Wanganui Furniture Store

This is a massive project! All the best wishes to La Station team. You're making Whanganui more boutiquey beautiful and even more instagrammable!

Winter Energy Tips

We had no idea about the cost of power or heating in NZ. We have lived in an un-insulated house, cold water and kept warm using water bottles and 5 layers of blanket for a few years before we made the decision on heating for our needs.

For years, we had been introduced to heat pumps and new chimneys. We've even considered gas. But not everyone is aware that there is $1/day charge on gas regardless if you use it or not.

The desire to save energy and keep warm in NZ drove us to consider having heat pumps installed in our home. However after countless hours of research for a considerable $7500 investment, we found out that heat pumps start paying for itself on the 5th year at best, at the time when there's newer technology. And nobody ever mentioned the cost and inconvenience of cleaning heat pumps.

We also got dreamy about having a fire going whilst winter, with our hot chocolate mochas and our best buddy Youtube on cold winter nights. But we shied away from fireplaces after reading about the yearly costs of cleaning the chimney and the possible poisonous fumes. I suppose the biggest issue was, "Who would tidy up the mess after the logs burn out?"

So we ended with this lower cost solution that just suited our needs as a couple with no children.

1. We signed up with Power Shop. They have amazing customer service.

They also have a user-friendly mobile app and web app.
We have received several discounts and gifts because they are constantly engaging customers with their weekly promotions.

In winter, we spend $150-180 a month. In summer, it goes down to $80-110.

2. We have purchased a high power radiant heater (electric) from Warehouse, I recall it was over $250 at that time and it has served as well.
3. We keep ourselves warm by using layers and beanie, even at home.
4. We make sure we are well-hydrated. Lots of tea helps. It aids in productivity as well as we work from home.

5. We use LED lights. Using LED lights saves a lot of power costs plus they last longer. I keep my LED lights on all night and the brightness stays the same over at least 5 years (and counting). 

The best way to save power is monitoring usage. I know exactly how much power we use daily because Powershop's online control panel allows me to see our electrical consumption.

I think we can save more power if I stop baking too many cakes! :-)

If you wish to switch to Powershop and have more control over your energy consumption, signup here.