Answers:
bostonian71 is looking forward to a couple of days away from the day job.
MSN’s MoneyCentral site has an entire section devoted to saving money:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/Content/Savinganddebt/Savemoney/Savemoney.asp
nursehealer is contemplating the Law of One
I think the main idea is to determine where your money is going, what your budget is, and what changes should be made. Keeping an account of spending is a real eye-opener. Just categorizing your expenses usually gives you a good idea of where to start on reducing spending.
Here are some good resources.
92 Tips for Spending Less
http://www.defenselink.mil/mapsite/spending.html
Examples:
Food – Always compare unit prices. Those little white stickers help you sort “deals” from “heels.”
Household – Use water with ammonia or white vinegar for cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms.
Utilities – Install water-saving shower heads.
Clothing – If you have talent, sew your own things.
Vehicles – Consolidate your errands and plan the route efficiently.
Families Taking Charge: Spending Less
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/ftc/354-098/354-098.html
Examples:
Make a spending plan to determine where your money will go.
Food – Plan your meals around foods you have on hand until more money comes in.
Utilities – Select energy efficient bulbs, tubes and fixtures when replacements are made.
Clothing – Mend clothing promptly. Resole and polish shoes instead of buying new shoes.
Living Essentials: Budgeting
http://byubroadcasting.org/livingessentials/shows/37.asp
Examples:
Approaching a Personal Budget –
“Think of a budget in terms of record keepingā an inventory of where you are spending your money and a map of where you want to go with your personal finances. Find a budget that you feel comfortable with and that can motivate you to invest in the future.”
Planning for Savings Within the Budget:
“Americans save 3.9% of their disposable income, and it used to be 20% nine years ago.”
“Always pay yourself a percentage such as 10% that you can use for savings or other things that you need for yourself.”

