Random acts of kindness
This particular Wellingtonista was sitting at the bus-stop last night, when a lad on a motorbike scooted up, and asked me if I wanted to make use of his now unneeded daytripper pass. Of course I did! $2.80 saved (the cost of a click on my 3-zone ten-trip)! Score!
This led to some discussion on the Wellingtonista list as to other acts of kindness/generosity you can perform for your fellow citizens without any great opportunity cost of your own.
The other obvious one is parking coupons. Got half an hour left when you go to leave? Just roll the ticket up and pop it in the coin slot of the vending machine. Next person to come along will (hopefully) realise they've got a freebie, and everyone wins (except the council revenue department, I suppose).
Might I also remind our readers that while the library doesn't send out overdue reminder notices until after your books/cds/dvds/whatever are overdue (and thus already accumulating late charges), you can use the Library Elf service to send you reminders before the due date. This has saved my family literally hundreds of dollars over the last few years.
Any other suggestions for ways to save people money or, indeed, just to make their lives more pleasant, with a minimal amount of effort on your own behalf? Pop 'em in the comments.
I always try to be friendly in traffic. That means I stop to let pedestrians cross the road whenever possible, or that I leave space for someone to leave a parking spot and weave in. It's very simple to do, it doesn't cost a thing and it's good karma.
I gave up my seat on the bus this morning for an old lady who would otherwise have to have stood right up the front.
She looked so happy when I offered her that seat, that it made me happy all rest of the way on the bus.
I've been driving to work lately its just been to yuck to ride my push bike. As I drive up Onepu road I see all the people waiting at the bus stop I really want to give someone a lift. Would it be weird to pull up at a bus stop and say "Hey anyone want a lift"?
If there is a group of people, and the weather is disgusting, it would not be weird. If it is one person by themselves, they might find it a little unsettling though.
Oh, here's a thought: Wellingtonista Carpooling! Anyone live near Onepu Road? Leave a comment to get a ride with Winegeek!
One time, my partner and I were waiting for a bus that never came. Called the bus company and they said it wouldn't come at all. We walked back to the house to get the van so we could drive to somewhere closer to town to get another bus. On our way there we stopped at several bus stops to tell the waiting people the bus wasn't going and if anyone would like a ride. We took a few people on board and they were so happy! They even tried to give us the bus fare :)
Giving away "Day Rover"s for the train is nice (when you have finished when them of course).
I was stuck in Karori at 3am and down to my last 30c credit on my phone. I had tried three different taxi companies to come pick me up. None of them turned up. I was sitting outside in the cold for about 1 1/2 hours in total. I tried to ring for a cab on my last 30c on my phone but didnt have enough credit. Then my partner gave me a number where i could actually TEXT a taxi! The number was
Ph:027 CAPITAL or
Ph:027 2274825
As soon as I sent the text I got a reply saying that it would be there in 5 minutes. It arrived in 7 minutes but that was ok. Just before it arrived I got a text that the taxi was outside. It is the first time in my life I have ever texted for a taxi. It was too cool. I think it was also the cheapest taxi I have ever caught. Im never using any other taxi company. Im sold! Capital Taxis Rocks!!!!
at 3am there are usually at least 2 or 3 taxis sitting at the mobile service station in karori.
becuase they have early morning pickups at 5ish, so it's not worth them waiting in town.
also vodafone i know offer a service where you can top up your pre pay about 5 bucks if you run out
Everyone could send me $100, it would make me very happy and you'd all feel extremely kind and generous.