Key money saving resource & example of lateral thinking

I like learning from experts.

It’s a shortcut to better progress.

For some years now I have subscribed to a key website which helps me save money. It is run by Fiona Lippey, Australia’s Queen of Frugality and is called Simple Savings.

Many people are struggling today, more than ever, due to the economic situation. Saving money is a key priority.

Here is a somewhat amusing, touching and innovative story which I received via the website newsletter:

1000 FRESH EGGS FOR $24

Our family saves a fortune on top quality fresh eggs, even though we don’t
have chickens! We keep quail (Common Quail, Coturnix coturnix) for eggs.
They don’t take up much room, don’t eat much and give wonderful little eggs
that are just perfect to use in place of chicken eggs. Apart from their size
there is no difference in flavour or texture. In fact, quail eggs have a
higher nutritional rate per gram and a higher yolk to white ratio, so they
are much better for you. Children love quail eggs, the shells are so pretty
and the novelty of having poached, fried or soft boiled little eggs tempts
even the fussiest eaters. I use four quail eggs for every chicken egg in a
recipe.

Unlike chickens which are classed as poultry, quail are considered caged
birds, so anywhere you can keep a canary you can keep a quail. They are happy
living inside (in fact you might end up with more eggs due to extra lighting)
or they are tough enough to brave it in the yard, in a cat proof cage or
hutch. Our quail live in an old guinea pig hutch, given to us by friends. It
costs only $5 to $10 to buy a quail and they will lay between 200 – 300 eggs
each a year. Not to mention their droppings make a wonderful fertiliser for
the garden!

As far as diet, we feed our quail Game Bird crumbles, a selection of kitchen
leftovers and are starting to grow seed for them to eat. Quail also love
insects which children love to collect for them. A 20kg bag of Game Crumbles
only costs $24 and based on an adult bird consumption, would last around four
months to feed 10 birds. For an investment of $24 for feed you could end up
with over 1000 home grown eggs!

Personally I will not be getting any Quail, though I will do when I eventually move.

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