Saving $$$

[Marilyn]

Sounds like everyone is working to save!!

Haley, things aren't too bad around here. The housing market is down due to the credit mess, and folks were pinched when the gas prices were so high. Lots of people are conserving because they don't know what the future may hold. Overall, not too many businesses closing. There are still help wanted signs around. Other than the construction industry, I think overall we are still in pretty good shape down here. Everyone is talking about their 401K's and IRA's and hoping for a future recovery.

Diana, I've noticed the grain storage people have in their fields (the big white plastic bags that look like huge catepillars) are still mostly full. I saw one that had been partially emptied on the way to work yesterday. I'll have to ask the farmer's wife I work with what is happening in the grain market around here.

We've thought of putting up storm windows or hurricane shutters to conserve energy.

We are shopping grocery sales and stocking up on meats that are on sale in value packs and repackaging using our Food Saver. I've been disappointed in the pork chops though. The ones on top look nice, meaty and lean, the ones under them are all bone. Disgusting how deceptive grocers have become. The manufacturers are putting less in the packaging also hoping we won't notice that 12 oz has become 10 oz, but the box the same size, just a bit thinner.

[HALEY]

start a college fund for your kids
make sure you have a will
extra life insurance on hubby
extra disability insurance on both of us
pack lunches everyday for work
when we go out to eat i always have coupons
coupons for grocery shopping
sticking to the list only.
shop at gabs for work clothes or wait for sales
pay extra interest on the house payment.
pay off credit cards
dont use credit cards, make a budget and stick to it.. (very hard)
start a savings account for emergency money
color my own hair now (that one hurt) took me two times to find my color my stylist uses!!

[HALEY]

i also donate our old clothes and baby clothes to a church, this is another tax write off at the end of the year.