Too Broke for Ikea? How to Make Furniture Out of Milk Crates

photo credit: mugley

Ikea too pricey? Flatpack furniture assembly too complicated? Looking for some free decor options? Want your furniture choices to deter break and enter theft? Well, look no further than the milk crate. It’s free, functional and, depending on how high you are, aesthetically pleasing. With a pack of cable ties (a couple of dollars for a pack of 100 on eBay) you too can create a plethora of functional pieces.

When you don’t own a car, the free furniture section on Gumtree isn’t all that helpful unless you have some generous car-owning friends willing to drive you around. So help out your local community and collect some of those eyesore and safety hazard milk crates scattered in alleyways and on footpaths. This is a fun game when drunk.

Bookcase

photo credit: Manhattan Nest

Expedit 4×2 cube storage from Ikea = $89. Milk crate version = free.

Shoe Rack

photo credit: Instructables

Line up your milk crates, zip-tie them together and put near the door for handy shoe storage. If you’re feeling especially fancy, you can chuck a bit of plywood on top and your shoe rack can double as a bench seat.

Outdoor Seating

photo credit: Eat Pray Workout

Flip it upside down, chuck an inexpensive seat cushion on the top and there you have it – the perfect outdoor seating option for bbqs and backyard gatherings.

Bed Frame (with storage)

photo credit: The Grid

For this DIY, you’ll need 12 milk crates in total (or 14-16 if you want to fill in the ends). Put six in a row, cable-tie them together facing outwards to run down one side of a mattress’ length. Do the same on the other side. Chuck a piece of plywood cut to size over the two parallel rows of milk crates or some wooden bed slats ($50 at Ikea) for your mattress to rest on and you have both a bed frame and some very functional underbed storage. The milk crate storage can be further supplemented by a couple of these ($10 from Ikea and perfect for storing linen/clothing etc) slid into the cavity down the middle.

TV Stand

Why spend precious alcohol money on an entertainment unit for your TV? Stack and zip-tie together 4-6 milk crates facing outwards to serve as a stand for your TV and storage for your DVDs, game consoles etc. Cables easily slip through the holes in the crates to plug into the wall. Perfect!

Milk Crate Planter

photo credit: Dave’s Garden

Line the crate with some black plastic (a thick bin liner cut to size will do the job), punch some drainage holes in the bottom on the plastic liner, chuck in some potting mix and plant away.

Stack a number of crates on their side and fill with dirt and plants to create a vertical garden that doubles as a privacy screen!

Bike Rack

photo credit: W.D. Vanlue

Use a few cable ties to attach the crate to a rear or front bike rack and then you’re good to go!

Tips for Setting Up a Kitchen on the Cheap

photo credit: Anton Novoselov

 

• Avoid single-purpose devices (eg. popcorn maker, blender/juicer, pasta maker, bread machine, multiple cake tins, tajine, paella pan, mortar and pestle etc. etc.) as these just hog cupboards and needlessly take up bench space unless you plan on using them multiple times a week. The rice cooker is a possible exception if you’re a big rice eater or also use it to cook porridge, soups etc. Or plan to undertake any of these or these cooking experiments. The other exception to this rule is the can opener. Good luck opting out on a can opener ownership. Technically kettles and toasters are also single-purpose devices but you’ll probably want to add these to the list of exceptions. Unless you’re like me and cook your toast in a griddle pan or under the grill.

 

• No need to buy a knife block. A chef’s knife and a smaller paring knife are all you really need. The block just takes up valuable bench space and collects dust.

 

• Likewise with the saucepan set. You really only need a medium to large frypan, a small saucepan and a large ‘pasta-size’ pot. The rest are superfluous. Or duplicates. Or both.

 

• Dinnerware (or crockery as the more classy of us refer to it) is most affordable from Kmart. Yup that’s right, even cheaper than Ikea. Considering that this will more than likely be frequently chipped by guests or other sharehouse occupants, it’s best to save your pennies and get the nicer stuff when you’re earning the big $$.

 

• Don’t underestimate the value of the humble mug. Especially if no-one’s done the washing up and you’re out of saucepans.

 

• No need for all the different sizes of wine glasses. Or wine glasses at all. There’s nothing wrong with drinking wine from an ordinary water glass. At least it’s not a Mason jar you damn hipster.

 

• Stock up on teatowels. They’re cheap (49c each from Ikea), easy to throw in the washing machine and  have a variety of uses that eliminate the need for oven mitts, paper towels and non-slip cutting board underlays. In a pinch, they can also be used when you’ve run out of clean bath towels.

 

• One bowl, many uses. This baby can be used as a serving bowl for salads or pasta, mixing bowl and fruit bowl. And, most importantly, a bowl for serving vodka punch at house parties.

 

 

 

 

 

Get On Yer Bike! – Budget Bikes Under $250

photo credit: Jonas Tana

 

Urban cycling – what better way is there to both save money on transportation and get some exercise without paying gym fees? Plus, it’s better for the environment and studies have shown that, over short distances, it’s faster than driving.

So if you’re looking for an affordable bike to ride to the supermarket, cafe or pub, here’s a great selection of Australian retailers offering bikes for less than $250:

 

Bikes for under $250 (with free delivery to metro areas):

• Cell Bikes ‘Messenger’ singlespeed bike – $199 available in nine colours

photo credit: Cell Bikes

• Reid Cycling ‘Griffon’ singlespeed bike – $199 in black

photo credit: Reid Cycling

• Reid Cycling ‘Griffon Custom’ singlespeed bike – $249 with choice of wheel rim colour

photo credit: Reid Cycling

• Reid Cycling women’s ‘Vintage Classic Singlespeed’ – $235 available in four colours

photo credit: Reid Cycling

Assembly tips:

• Reid offer a free assembly and in-store collection service instead of delivery if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of assembly yourself.
• You’ll need to get your hands on some allen keys and a spanner for assembly. Cell include these in the box for the Messenger bike.
• Basic bike assembly instructions in pdf are available to download here. There are essentially four steps:

1. Attach the saddle post
2. Attach the handlebars
3. Attach the front wheel
4. Screw the pedals on – be careful to ensure that they are being screwed in the correct direction – one is anti-clockwise, the other is clockwise.

• Then you’ll just need to check your tyres are properly inflated. Also ensure that the bolts on the rear wheel haven’t been overtightened as this sometimes happens.

Legal requirements:

• Helmets are ugly but mandatory. A bell is also required (not sure why you can’t just yell).
• In NSW, you’re only legally required to have one brake. If you ride at relatively low speeds, you are fine to use front-brake only as this provides the majority of braking power.
• You can remove the hideous orange wheel reflectors attached to the wheel spokes. But keep in mind, you’ll need lights and rear reflector if riding at night. Cheap front and rear lights are available on eBay. Nicer ones at Knog.

The difference between a singlespeed and fixie:

Basically, a fixed gear (fixie) bike requires you to be constantly pedalling ie. you can’t coast on flat surfaces or going downhill. As a result, fixies also allow you to pedal backwards. More info regarding the pros and cons of fixies here.

Singlespeeds have only one gear so are best on relatively flat areas. Inclines are a bit tough but they give you a good work-out and force you to build-up your fitness. Singlespeeds are perfect for covering short distances in urban areas. Also, only one gear means less maintenance and fewer parts to break. It also reduces streamlines the bike’s aesthetics.

Other necessities:

• A good lock to prevent theft – a u-lock is best. Buy a decent lock from a bike shop to deter would-be thieves, otherwise your bike will disappear in a flash.

• A helmet for your noggin – unless you want to carry your helmet around with you, it’s likely to be stolen as is the straps are easily cut away from the bike lock. Best to not blow a lot of money and get one that’s easy replaceable. Try Kmart and Big W for a budget-friendly selection of adult helmets.

• A pump for your tyres – pretty self-explanatory. Can be bought cheaply at any bike shop or when you purchase your helmet.

• A basket for storage – you can get front/rear aluminium bike racks off eBay much cheaper than those sold in stores. ‘Borrow’ a milk crate to attach to the rack with a few strategically-placed cable ties and, voila, a weatherproof front/rear bike basket for lugging groceries home or a six pack to a houseparty for such cheap!

photo credit: W.D. Vanlue

 

$10 Feeds in Chatswood

photo credit: Fiona Susanto

Yesterday Broadsheet featured a piece on delicious (non-food court) meal options for $10 or under in Chatswood. Definitely worth scoping out.

Check it out here.

 

 

 

Jamie’s 15 Minute Meals

photo credit: Jamie Oliver

Can I extoll the virtues of this book? It features simple, accessible and nutritious recipes from Britain, the Mediterranean and Asia with lots of pictures for those of us who eat with our eyes. As well as kitchen tips and pantry stocking basics. Although 15 minutes stretches to more like 30 minutes without professional chef knife skills, it’s still a great book.

The cheapest I’ve seen it in Aus is the hardback version for $28 at Big W. Alternatively, the Book Depository has it available for $34.56 with free shipping to Australia. Worth it.

The Humble Clothes Airer

photo credit: galvarez51

Aside from the ridiculous increase in capital gains on property recently, what else has risen as quickly as a teenage boy at a Victoria’s Secret show? Correct, electricity costs. Reportedly up ~60% in five years. Ouch. And what uses a lot of electricity? The clothes dryer.

So this post is an ode to the cost savings obtained in using the old-fashioned clothes airer. Or possibly two to three simultaneously if, like me, you live in a sharehouse. Not only is the clothes airer cheap to buy, but is also provides free decoration. Like a poor man’s installation art.

You can buy them at Ikea/Big W/Bunnings etc, but I’ve found the one that holds the most laundry is this model available from Kmart for $25:

photo credit: Kmart Australia

Couple it with one of these (from Kmart, Daiso or the dollar store) for your socks and underwear and you’ll be astounded at how much laundry this combo will hold.

photo credit: Kmart Australia

No balcony to dry your clothes on? Don’t worry, leave it indoors close to a slightly open window and your laundry will be dry in 12 to 24 hours.

Bonus feature: damp laundry drying indoors = free humidifier. 

And if extra humidity inside creates concerns as to mould growth, just chuck a moisture absorber in a corner or out of sight somewhere in the room. The Damprid and Hippo brands of moisture absorber are pretty pricey, but you can get the same thing at Daiso for $2.80. Or you can peg the silica gel sachets you get in new handbags onto the clothes airer itself.

Free (or Mostly Free) Cable TV Alternatives

photo credit: Lubs Mary

Free on-demand TV? Check. No having to pre-arrange torrents to download? Check.

Australian TV stations streaming sites

These usually have limited content and expiry dates for episodes but, being ad-free, is still worth checking out.

• SBS on Demand
• ABC iView
• TEN Network
• Nine Network
• Seven Network

How to Get Netflix in Australia (with none of this reduced content Quickflix shit)

Most of you are probably sick of the media’s greed and arrogance in regards to exclusive content deals and reluctance to allow competitors like the full Netflix service into the market. Likewise, our small population on this big island also works against us. Here’s a great article from Lifehacker on why full featured Netflix isn’t likely to come to Australian shores any time soon.

There are a couple of ways to get Netflix streaming in Aus, both of which use an IP proxy to make Netflix think your computer is connecting from the US.

The cheap method:

• Install Hola Unblocker (free) as a browser extension. Once this has been installed you’ll need to fiddle with its settings to switch on the Netflix access option. A word of warning – this extension installs a whole lot of crappy ads and popups, not all of which are easy to remove. Best if you install it on a separate browser to the one you commonly use, and keep it aside just for Netflix usage. Ie. if you already use Chrome as your primary browser, download Firefox and add it as a Firefox extension. And vice-versa for Firefox users.
• Once Hola is activated, sign-up to Netflix. You’ll need to link a credit card which will be charged US$7.99 per month (there is a one month free trial). To avoid international currency conversion charges on your credit card, it’s best to use the 28 Degrees credit card which is a no annual fee credit card, but any credit card will work. You’ll also need to enter a US postal code which are five digits long – Google is your friend here. It works without having to match the postcode registered on your credit card, but finding a similar one would be a good idea.
• You should be good to go. Enjoy!

The alternative methods:

Other premium, more reliable and less-spammy IP proxy services include:

• Getflix – US$2.95 per month
• Unblock.us – US$4.99 per month
• Tunnelbear – US$4.99 per month

On top of these monthly costs, you’ll also need to pay the Netflix subscription costs (US$7.99 per month). Total cost therefore US$10.94 – US$12.98 plus any relevant currency conversion charges.

* A word of caution – using an IP proxy to change your geolocation is a bit of a legal grey area

Sydney’s Best Food for $5

photo credit: Edwina Pickles

Despite Fairfax’s somewhat dubious take on what qualifies for actual journalism these days, the SMH had a great piece last month on Sydney’s best feeds for a fiver or under.

From Vietnamese to pizza, dumplings and falafel, it’s worth checking out.

SMH: Sydney’s Best Food for $5

Quick and Healthy Budget Recipes

photo credit: notarim

One of the biggest expenses and, depending on how you look at it, chores I struggle with is cooking for one. And not just ramen. Quick, healthy and frugal recipes are not that easy to find. So here’s a selection of recipes from the interwebs that I frequently rely on for inspiration:

• Budget Bytes – a great blog packed full of tasty recipes made on the cheap. Well worth subscribing to
• Stone Soup – written by a fellow Aussie and features a great recipe index. Sign up to receive a free eCookbook.
• Jamie Oliver – has a ‘Cheap and Cheerful’ recipe section on his website that is definitely worth a look.
• NYTimes – in 2007, featured a collection of 101 Simple Meals Ready in 10 Minutes or Less. Perfect for when you’re in a hurry.
• Jack Monroe – food blogger, single mum, anti-poverty campaigner and dubbed by the NYTimes as “the face of British austerity” has a great selection of recipes on her website. Also writes a recipe column for the Guardian – more recipes found here and here.