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The best way to dry laundry in winter
At my place over winter, the sun apologetically creeps over the hills for a few hours a day – if it appears at all. So, with my outdoor clothes line hamstrung by this gloomy weather, what’s the best way to dry my washing?
I needed data. I put together a 3kg trial load of bath and tea towels, … View moreAt my place over winter, the sun apologetically creeps over the hills for a few hours a day – if it appears at all. So, with my outdoor clothes line hamstrung by this gloomy weather, what’s the best way to dry my washing?
I needed data. I put together a 3kg trial load of bath and tea towels, T-shirts, socks, jeans and synthetic sportswear. I gathered scales, a power meter and a sensor that records temperature and humidity. After being washed in my front-loading machine and spun at 1100rpm, my trial load weighed 4.2kg. That’s 1.2L of water I needed to remove. My ideal method would be minimal hassle, cheap, good for the environment, and it wouldn’t leave my home damp.
I tried five different drying methods and found a clear winner: my vented clothes dryer. It was easy to use, sent all the moisture outside, gave consistent results and, while it wasn’t free, forward-planning minimised the cost to my pocket and the environment. Whenever I can’t dry clothes outside, my dryer will shoulder the workload this winter.
TIP: Use the fastest spin your washing machine will allow and clothing can handle. Spinning at 1100rpm instead of 800rpm removed an extra third (600ml) of moisture from my test load.
Outside on a line
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Best for cost, environment and home health, but weather-dependent and a hassle.
On a calm, sunny winter day, six hours on the clothes line shifted just over 40% of the moisture in my washing. The method required me hanging my load out in the morning before I left for work, and remembering to pull it in before the sun dropped and the damp evening undid all my good work. One day of outside hanging didn’t dry my washing, but it was quicker and used less energy to finish it off in my dryer. On a good day, outside line drying costs nothing and has no environmental impact at all.
TIP: A breezy, overcast winter day is better at drying washing than a calm, sunny one.
Indoor on a rack
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No cost or environmental impact, but fills your home with moisture.
It’s easier hanging washing on a rack indoors than pegging it outside, and the method works even on filthy-wet days. It comes at zero cost to your wallet and uses no energy. However, my trial found a drying rack was far from a perfect solution. I set mine up in an unheated back room. Though large windows meant the rack was exposed to winter sun, there was no airflow around the wet clothes and I shifted just a third of the moisture in six hours. However, I could leave the load on the rack all day and night to dry. The biggest downside was to the health of my home – all of the moisture from my washing ended up in my back room.
TIP: Make like a DOC Hut: putting the drying rack next to (or above) an electric heater or woodburner will dry clothes faster and keep moisture airborne. You must ventilate the room well though (open a window or two), otherwise you’ll end up with an unhealthy living space full of warm, moist air.
TIP: Put the drying rack in your bathroom and run the extractor fan. It’ll add a few cents to your electricity bill, but the fan will suck some of the moisture outside, and the rest will be in a room designed to cope with damp.
Inside on a rack with a dehumidifier
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A dehumidifier makes an indoor drying rack a better option (for a price).
Running a dehumidifier next to the clothes rack adds cost, but you get a triple-whammy of benefits: the dehumidifier heats the room, creates a breeze to help the laundry dry, and sucks up moisture. When I tried a Mitsubishi Electric model running full bore on “laundry” mode next to the drying rack, my clothes were dry in five hours and my room ended up 3°C warmer, with lower humidity than when I started. However, the dehumidifier used 1.9kWh of electricity (costing about 50¢). While I couldn’t fault the increased drying performance, the impact on my wallet was surprisingly high, and the dehumidifier’s noise rendered the room uninhabitable for five hours.
Which dehumidifiers score best for water removal, energy efficiency and quietness? Find out with our test results.
In a clothes dryer
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Minimal hassle and drying time, a healthy home, but a lighter wallet and environmental niggles.
Drying the load in my $600 Electrolux vented dryer (using a sensor program) took an hour. All the moisture vented outside. I was expecting it to be the most expensive option, the price I paid for convenience, but it used 1.9kWh – the same as running the dehumidifier for five hours. Looking at my dryer’s specifications, it makes sense: it has a 2100W heating element and a small motor to turn the drum, so an hour of sensor-controlled use should use about 2kW.
TIP: Check whether your electricity plan has cheaper periods, so you can save a few cents per load - some plans offer reduced off-peak rates or even free power for a short period each day. Make sure you're not paying a premium to dry your clothes at peak times.
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Keep yourself protected against Covid
It might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you … View moreIt might not be making quite so many headlines these days, but unfortunately, Covid is still here. If you’re 65 or over, taking care of yourself is just as important as ever.
The good news is, the Covid vaccine can help protect you from serious illness. It’s free, and recommended for you and many others as long as you haven’t had the vaccine, or Covid, in the last 6 months.
To book your vaccination, or talk to your healthcare provider.
Monkey Hill library
Some vandal has knocked the little library cabinet off its mountings and it is slowly deteriorating. This is a much used and loved (by me anyway) resource but I do not have the basic carpentary skills to repair it. It was funded by he Albert-Eden Community Board and constructed by "The … View moreSome vandal has knocked the little library cabinet off its mountings and it is slowly deteriorating. This is a much used and loved (by me anyway) resource but I do not have the basic carpentary skills to repair it. It was funded by he Albert-Eden Community Board and constructed by "The Shed" . Is there someone I could contact to get it repaired before it is smashed completely.
Security Guard Available for Duty
Does anyone require a Security Guard for peace of mind.
I’m qualified & experienced in the following fields:
• Corporate Security Officer
• Events Security Officer
• Crowd Controller
• Static Guard
• Property Guard
• Personal Guard
I’m also a qualified former South African … View moreDoes anyone require a Security Guard for peace of mind.
I’m qualified & experienced in the following fields:
• Corporate Security Officer
• Events Security Officer
• Crowd Controller
• Static Guard
• Property Guard
• Personal Guard
I’m also a qualified former South African Police Officer with many years experience.
I also have experience in the South African military.
I can be contacted on 0225600227, or email me at: mornay_delport@outlook.com
My hourly rates are very reasonable.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
Silent mind, infinite power
How to quieten the busy mind with ancient techniques taught from meditation master Sri Chinmoy.
This 2-part course will cover all the tips and techniques you will need to explore your limitless potential for a life of inner happiness.
When: Monday June 23rd, 5pm to 6:15pm (class 1)
Thursday … View moreHow to quieten the busy mind with ancient techniques taught from meditation master Sri Chinmoy.
This 2-part course will cover all the tips and techniques you will need to explore your limitless potential for a life of inner happiness.
When: Monday June 23rd, 5pm to 6:15pm (class 1)
Thursday June 26th, 5pm to 6:15pm (class 2)
Venue: Ponsonby Community Centre,
The Meeting Room, 20 Ponsonby Terrace
Auckland Central.
Registration: Registration is required to accommodate numbers attending. Please register your name plus number attending to Danny 021 831 382
St Andrew's Epsom 'Sundays at Three' Organ Recital
You are welcome to join us on Sunday 22nd June at 3pm for the next in our series of Sundays at Three concerts. Entry is by koha and the concert is followed by afternoon tea.
From juggling four jobs as a single mum to $450m in house sales
In her 11 years as a real estate agent, Fiona Li has sold over $450 million worth of property and been in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally. She now has her own business, Harcourts Property Ventures in Epsom, Auckland, and life today is a far cry from when she was a single mum juggling… View moreIn her 11 years as a real estate agent, Fiona Li has sold over $450 million worth of property and been in the top 1% of Harcourts agents internationally. She now has her own business, Harcourts Property Ventures in Epsom, Auckland, and life today is a far cry from when she was a single mum juggling four jobs.
Q: What did you do before real estate?
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I had several jobs but mostly I was a waiter. I came to New Zealand from China when I was 20 and I found the language very hard. I dreamed of getting a job cleaning a shopping mall. I thought, if I can be a cleaner, I will be very happy. I did end up working for my sister, who had a cleaning business, but I also worked in restaurants.
I’d got married and had a son, but my marriage ended after three years and I was a single mum doing four part-time jobs, including at the Jade Dragon restaurant in Sky City and Hees Garden Restaurant in Mt Eden. I was also studying English for a couple of hours a week and looking after my son Ronan.
The owner at Hees said to me, “Have you thought about doing real estate?” I had found I had a talent for dealing with people. I loved talking with them, and I think that’s why she thought I would be good at real estate. I didn’t know anything about it but I thought I would try it.
Q: What was it like starting out in real estate?
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So hard. I got fliers and I walked to deliver them. I knew you had to present yourself well in real estate and you couldn’t wear flat shoes, so I delivered 1000 fliers a day wearing high heels.
Harcourts Property Ventures owner Fiona Li:
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Li says she has worked to achieve her success, investing a lot of time in upskilling. Photo / Fiona Goodall
I also did door-knocking. I remember asking someone in Mt Roskill if they were interested in selling their house and they said, “I’m not the owner, the owner is in Wellington.” When I talked to my manager, he laughed and said, “It’s a state house, the owner is Housing New Zealand.” I didn’t know. I had a lot to learn.
Q: How did you get your first listing?
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I went to the bank to deposit some cash and got talking to the banker. I said, “I’m a real estate agent, do you know anyone looking to sell their house?” They said, “My mum has a place to sell,” and that’s how I got my first listing. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! I sold it really fast, in just one and a half weeks, and things took off from there.
Q: Why do you think you’ve done so well?
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I think because I have always invested time in training and upskilling. You have to know about the property market, and you also have to focus on being the best marketer and negotiator. I worked hard to learn how to do that.
I have a lot of motivation and energy, and that is because I love what I do. I say to people, if you want to be a success in your industry, it is not enough to like it, you have to love it. I love talking to people, I love helping them out.
You have to work hard, you have to be consistent, and you have to stick at it. It takes time to become very good. My dad said to me, “In five years you come to know the job, in 10 years you become the King or Queen of the job.” He was right.
Q: Was it daunting, opening your own business?
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Yes. I opened it in January with a business partner, after thinking about it for a few years. I did it because I wanted to give my clients more value. Because I own the business, I can be more flexible. I don’t have to get permission from the business owner or manager because I am the business owner. I can make decisions fast, and I think that has been beneficial for my clients.
Some business owners don’t sell property themselves but I do because that is what I am good at. I pay someone to manage the office so I can focus on selling and also helping out the other agents in the office.
That’s the other reason I wanted my own business: to be able to help people coming into the industry. I like to be able to lead by example and pass on my skills. I love seeing them grow and learn fast. I’ve had people starting on five figures, and quickly they go to six. It is very satisfying seeing their success.
Q: What makes a good real estate agent?
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Someone who is professional, who understands the market and selling so they can give their clients good advice and help them to get the best result. You also need to be honest so people can trust you. A lot of sellers have not sold a property before, so they are relying on you. It’s their biggest asset and a big responsibility for the agent.
Q: What do you love about the job?
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The people I get to meet, and helping them to move on with their lives. Everyone has a story about why they are selling, and you become part of that. I see all areas of life, I see divorce, I see retirement, I see diseases, and death. Last year, I had four clients who were selling because of health – three were elderly, but one was quite young, and you see that life is short and you have to enjoy it while you can.
Harcourts Property Ventures owner Fiona Li:
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Li unwinds by walking her friend's dog. "I would love to have my own dog, but it wouldn’t be fair because I wouldn’t have the time to spend with one." Photo / Fiona Goodall
You have to be able to deal with some emotional things, and you have to be able to keep your clients positive and say, “It’s okay, I’m here, we’ll do this.” It makes me very happy when I am able to help them, and I see how happy they are.
I’m not just a real estate agent; sometimes I am a counsellor, I am a builder, I am a consultant. I am a problem solver, and I enjoy that.
Q: Do you have any particularly memorable sales?
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There are a lot of memories, especially when a sale changes people’s lives. I did one for an elderly couple in their 90s who were going to a rest home. It wasn’t a big sale, but I remember it because I liked them so much. It took a while to sell, but when it did, they were very happy to be able to go into the home. A week later, the wife died. It made me realise that you should do things sooner, do not put it off.
I have learned a lot from working in real estate. Even if I look back to when I first started out, I kept thinking I needed to be better at English before I tried to do new things. Actually, that was wrong. I just needed to be brave and go and do it and learn as I went along.
Q: What do you do when you’re not working?
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I don’t have a lot of spare time, I work seven days a week. I do try to take some time off in the mornings – I am not an early person – and I like to walk the dog. It is not my dog, it is my friend’s dog. We walk together sometimes but if she doesn’t feel like it I walk him. I would love to have my own dog but it wouldn’t be fair because I wouldn’t have the time to spend with one. This way it is a good deal, I get to walk the dog but don’t have to look after him.
I do a bit of reading and golfing – I go to the driving range. And I enjoy having a sauna and cold spa. When you have had a big day at work, it helps you to release all of your stress and to have a good sleep at night.
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Poll: Would you support reducing sick leave to five days?
As shared in an interview today, alongside other sick leave changes, Christopher Luxon said he is open to reducing sick leave from ten days to five days a year. This would reverse the change made by the last government which allows workers to have ten days off for sickness each year.
Would you be … View moreAs shared in an interview today, alongside other sick leave changes, Christopher Luxon said he is open to reducing sick leave from ten days to five days a year. This would reverse the change made by the last government which allows workers to have ten days off for sickness each year.
Would you be happy with this change?
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18.6% Yes, ten is too much
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79.9% No, keep it at ten
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
Transform Old Cabinets with Mint, Gold & Rattan Flair
Update an old cabinet with on-trend rattan and a retro-cool mint and gold palette using Resene Kandinsky and Resene Tussock. Find out how to refresh your old cabinets with these easy step by step instructions.
Join the Mystics at a fun Netball Holiday Programme!
Registrations for our July Holiday Programmes are OPEN🥳
Join our Netball Skills programme to learn from Mystics players and have the time of your life!
Can't pick up your child early? Sign them up for our Combination programme for twice the fun and convenient pick-up times until 5:30pm
… View moreRegistrations for our July Holiday Programmes are OPEN🥳
Join our Netball Skills programme to learn from Mystics players and have the time of your life!
Can't pick up your child early? Sign them up for our Combination programme for twice the fun and convenient pick-up times until 5:30pm
🏘Windmill Park, Mt Eden
Week 1 commences 30 June
Week 2 commences 7 July
For full details including dates, times and activity themes, check out the Auckland Netball website
See you there!
Find your new home
At Ryman you'll find a perfect blend of independence and community.
With our new Winter Special, we are offering a fantastic price on selected homes. These prices are available for a limited time only.
Call Liz on 09 636 3883 or click read more for more information.
Matariki Festival
This weekend, gather with whānau and friends to enjoy a range of exciting events across Tāmaki Makaurau. Here’s what’s on offer:
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki – Matariki Festival Day
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Bring the whole whānau for a day full of culture and creativity at … View moreThis weekend, gather with whānau and friends to enjoy a range of exciting events across Tāmaki Makaurau. Here’s what’s on offer:
Te Hui Ahurei o Matariki – Matariki Festival Day
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Bring the whole whānau for a day full of culture and creativity at Auckland Botanic Gardens this Friday from 10am. Enjoy kapa haka, waiata, carving demonstrations, raranga activations, poi making and much more. A wide range of exciting and fun activities and experiences for everyone.
Matariki ki te Maunga
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Welcome Matariki rising in the sky with karakia on Pukekohe Hill from 6am this Friday. After the ceremony, head to Ngaa Hau e Whā Marae for a warm breakfast and entertainment. A beautiful way to start the day in reflection and connection.
Wheke Fortress
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Step into the Wheke Fortress this Pipiri and gather under the stars for an evening of music, mātauranga, kai, and celebration with community and whānau.
Matariki Evening Lights
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Soak up the festive atmosphere with music, fire pits, delicious kai, and good company at Silo Park’s Matariki Evening Lights this Saturday. A perfect winter’s evening by the waterfront.
For more Matariki Festival events, visit Matariki Festival Website.
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Auckland Art Show Returns This June!
Get ready for an unforgettable experience at THE AUCKLAND ART SHOW!
This exciting event opens at:
The Viaduct Events Centre
Friday 27th June.
Weekend pass is Saturday 28th, 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday 29th 10am – 5 pm.
16 years and under go free Saturday and Sunday.
Explore a stunning … View moreGet ready for an unforgettable experience at THE AUCKLAND ART SHOW!
This exciting event opens at:
The Viaduct Events Centre
Friday 27th June.
Weekend pass is Saturday 28th, 10 am – 8 pm and Sunday 29th 10am – 5 pm.
16 years and under go free Saturday and Sunday.
Explore a stunning array of artwork from a stellar line up of artists! Enjoy live art demonstrations and meet the artists! All art is for sale. You can take home a unique work of art just for you!
Could you save $400 on power?
Why it pays to compare plans
Did you know over 90% of New Zealanders who compare power plans find savings—often around $400 a year? Comparing power plans is quick and easy with a free online tool—it takes just five minutes and won’t disrupt your supply. A simple switch could lead to real … View moreWhy it pays to compare plans
Did you know over 90% of New Zealanders who compare power plans find savings—often around $400 a year? Comparing power plans is quick and easy with a free online tool—it takes just five minutes and won’t disrupt your supply. A simple switch could lead to real savings. Click here to compare
To save more, match your power plan to your lifestyle. If you're home during the day, a 'time of use' plan could cut costs by using power during off-peak hours. Tailoring your plan to your routine helps keep more money in your pocket.
Head to the Electricity Authority’s website, where they offer free tools to help you compare and switch plans with ease. With so many New Zealanders already saving up to $400 a year, there’s no reason to wait. Smart power choices start here, and the benefits can last all year long.
Take charge of your electricity costs and see how much you could save today. You might just wonder why you didn’t switch sooner.
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Sam's Lawnmowing & Gardening Services Lawnmowing Services
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Burford Dental Dentists
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Clinical Smiles Dental Clinics
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Ficino Montessori Preschool 29 Esplanade Road, Mount Eden, Auckland
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Night Noodle Markets 4 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland
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