the cost of living is much higher as we all know.

I hadn't heard of this motto before,but it sounds like a truism!

I've never heard that expression but I certainly live by it. I buy cheap clothes because I'm gaining weight so rapidly. I buy large sizes and wear them till they are rags. I never throw out food...ever. Either the goats or the dogs get it. I compost what the goats don't eat. I use the goat's poo for fertiliser. I walk wherever I can to save fuel and I always run several errands when I use my car. I also run errands for a friend and so he pays for some of my fuel. I rarely eat out...if ever. If I do it's because someone else pays or it's around $5.00. I don't buy books at full price and I never buy magazines. I have a bookcase full of books to read so I always have plenty. I do buy DVDs but I never pay more than $5 unless it's something I want and then there's a limit of $15. Out of 100 DVDs I only paid $14.95 for 1. I have no problem watching movies several times over. I still cry at sad ones even if I know the ending...lol. I turn out lights I'm not using and switch things off at the wall when not in use. I do full loads of washing and hang things on the line to dry. I wash up once a day.

Yes it does make sense but it is sad that we are having to go through this People are working so hard for their Money and can't enjoy it because of the cost of Living gone so High People can't afford to take their Children anywhere any more as it is all to expensive and of course with all costs gone up it is not possible It is sad really sad

That sounds like a pretty good slogan for these tough times. It's a hard pill to swallow for a lot of the young people today who have been used to getting everything they want when they want it. I've certainly cut back a lot but it's scary because soon there won't be anything left to cut back on. I really feel for the parents of young kids today, it's so hard to feed and clothe them properly if you're not rolling in money. Annie

It does make sense yes. I think that it is right as well. Before the cost of living happened to go up and everything else went pear shaped I had already decided that I was going to live to somethng like that anyway. I have no debts apart from the mortgage and want to go abroad next year and have my garden done. I have no intentions of getting another loan or credit card and so I have been living to a tight budget and cramming every spare penny away. Of course now the world has tipped up and my spare money is getting less and less.

I've been preparing for it for quite a while.Been preparing dehydrated foods and bottles for water and all emergency things.We all need to get together and do all this before it's too late.Start today.There is lots of sites you can go to on the net and find out what you need to do to prepare.Don't by anything but necessities.We got to hit these guys in their pocket books.Go to work with friends.Most cars hold 5 people in them so you can save five full gas tanks.I get together with my neighbors to get groceries.Wear clothes in the house and turn down your heat.Cook meals for more than one person and put it in the feezer if you have to.Don't be surprised when people welfare checks start bouncing.The government is spending our money on wars instead of food.Don't throw out anything you can burn.You may need it for a fire for heat.

I had never heard that one before but, IMO, during these tight times it makes perfect sense. I have not yet has to cut back on how much I eat for me it would not be very healthy as I do not eat vert large portions. My friends say I eat like a bird!

hatley, I understand completely that quote. Every week I cut back on my food budget only to find that I spent more than I did the week before and brought home less. If this trend continues I don't know what anyone is going to do. Like you nothing gets thrown out as far as left overs. I have always been good at dressing up a left over meatloaf of roast. At the end of the week I make what I call refrigerator soup or stew. Left over vegetables, potatoes, meats and pasta all get thrown in a pot seasoned up appropriately and served with warm bread. I have to make that dollar stretch as far as I can. As I have no idea what this next few years are going to be like,

I was always told "You cant afford it," and it was said to me so many times, that I translated it to mean "Everyone in the World with the same income can have it,' but you are not allowed to have it. I do find that we can still afford to get things, but that we have to save and throw things away and to buy stuff that lasts. We have always done that, so the cannot afford it seems meaningless, since by scrimping and saving, we were able to.

I agree that nowadays everything's price keeps higher and higher. The salary can never match the increase of the living cost. Especially the gasoline is higher, and then it leads to everything's cost higher. I love China

I've never heard that adage before but it sure does fit for these times that we are living. I need to replace my washer because it isn't working properly. It still does the wash cycle, but doesn't spin out. So I'm making it do for now and I am wringing the clothes out by hand and then saving even more by not using the dryer and hanging the clothes up to dry. Have to cut corners any possible way we can these days. I don't tend to eat out much anyway, and if I did it would be off the dollar menu generally. As far as left overs, I've always been one to eat the left overs. I guess being the oldest of seven children, I just learned how to do these types of things. My dad told me a few years ago before he passed this past August that he thought my my mom could stretch a dollar, but thought I could stretch one even further!

yes dear tht is exactly wt we do..we now see for cheaper places to party at or eat out..i cook lesser quantity of food just enough quantity so tht surplus need not b wasted or given to maid..and i buy wt is needed and do not go out buying anything tht fancies me..

My friend always says Laura it is hard times right now and everyone is suffering some , and changing the ways .I know my fiance and me have cut back so much . We don't eat out as much , plan better meals , don't go out and do as much , and both have took on more work . Just seems we are falling behind and once we catch up thigs will get better .

Being thrifty is a really important skill that one has to master right now. I'm even training my 3-year old son on how to utilize and MAXIMIZE his resources wisely, like school supplies, milk (and really trying to teach him to finish his milk). It's hard to set aside money for your savings, now that the cost of living is unbelievably high.

i do that too i mean utilize left over and reinvent to make it more palatable such rice...ill make some fried rice in the morning and mixed it with eggs,ham peas and cube or slicely thin carrots..during this time of crisis we must learn cost cuttinf cutting techniques..