Friday 5

(Link at left)
Cutting Costs

1. When money’s a bit tight, how do you cut costs in keeping yourself fed?

   Pore over the sale pages in the newspaper, and make food at home rather than buying pre-processed stuff or eating out.

2. When money’s a bit tight, how do you cut costs in keeping yourself entertained?

   Hello, public library?! Walks. TV, though we'd probably have to cancel some of our "premium" satellite stuff, if not the satellite as a whole. There are also video games, and the computer. This doesn't worry me in the slightest, actually.

3. When money’s a bit tight, how do you cut costs in other areas of your life?

   No new clothes, no new household stuff, take it easy on the gas usage, bring lunches from home, take a look at the phone plans, etc. etc.

4. When money’s a bit tight, what do you do to keep your spirits up?

   Having very little money is not particularly worrisome to me. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. I know how to "live poor" and for the most part it doesn't get me too worked up. I consider it more of a challenge than anything else, especially because at this point I know we have a lot of fat we could trim from our budget pretty easily.

5. When money’s a bit tight, what are some things you refuse to sacrifice?

   Heat. Electricity.
   Otherwise, there isn't much.
   Stuff for Sparky would be difficult to cut back on, from an emotional standpoint.
   I'd hold on to the house as long as possible. But if we had to do without cars, we'd have to move: we are 7 miles from the nearest good-sized grocery store...a little far to bike or walk it, and there's no real bus service here.