Housing
Learn to do simple repairs.
Do your own decorating.
Do your own painting.
Lower the temperature at night.
Plan meals to use minimum of food.
Use lights only when necessary.
Carry only replacement value insurance on house.
Conserve water.
Make only emergency long distance calls.
Stand up when talking long distance or use a timer.
Write letters /E-mail.
Give up all unnecessary services on your telephone.
Improvise furniture, shop garage sales.

Use worn out towels to make wash cloths.
Use glass instead of paper cups.
Make your own cleaning supplies.
Use washable dust and dish rags.
Equip the house with storm windows and doors, if possible.

Food
Pack a Lunch - "Brown Bag" as often as possible ($5.00 a day saves $25.00 a week: $100.00 a month)
Cut down on meals away from home.
Consider generic foods.
Take advantage of seasonal specials, especially fresh produce.
Do more cooking from scratch.
Use crock-pot methods to cook less tender cuts of meat.
If storage permits, buy in quantity if cheaper.
Preserve food when feasible.
Grow a garden.
Stretch hamburger with bread crumbs, oatmeal, or tomato sauce.
Avoid buying snack or "empty calorie" foods.
Use equally nutritious reconstituted dry or evaporated milk, for cooking instead of more expensive whole milk.
If space permits, store products in freezer to prevent spoilage.
Cook only as much as will be eaten unless it can be a part of another meal.
Use leftovers (planovers) in soups and casseroles.
Limit food shopping to once a week; the less trips to the grocery store the better.
Plan menus in advance for your shopping trips.
Use coupons for items, you regularly buy.
Make a grocery list, and use it!

Transportation
Use public transportation or car pool.
Get rid of one car. (If you need a 2nd get an inexpensive used car)
Consider moving closer to work.
Drive small cars that cost less to operate.
Do your own maintenance.
Increase deductibles on Auto Insurance

Clothing
Sew as much as practical, repair, remodel.
Buy clothing that is washable. (Do not buy clothes that require dry cleaning)
Carefully coordinate.
Hang on clothesline to dry instead of using a dryer.
Organize laundry so that a minimum number of loads are run.
Use detergent that works well in cool and warm water.
Mend clothes promptly.
Have children change to old clothes for rough play.
Buy clothing that does not need ironing.

Health and Medical
Service nutritious meals.
Follow safety rules to prevent accidents.
Have regular check-ups.
Carry only one health and accident insurance.
Investigate services offered by the health department.
Use immunization clinics.
Develop good health habits.
Stop using tobacco, alcohol and/or addictive drugs.
Learn to take temperature, pulse and respiration.
Learn about symptoms of common diseases in order to determine if seeing a doctor is advisable.
Increase deductibles on health insurance

Education
Use the public library for reading materials.
Subscribe to only one newspaper.
Cut out subscriptions to magazines that entertain only.
Study to improve your qualifications for the job you hold.

Employment
Develop skills to enhance your position.
Make your position more secure by being a valuable employee.
Use washable uniforms.
Share transportation.
Let your boss know you are interested in additional training.

Child Care
Investigate government or church operated nursery.
Schools that are operated for children of low income families.
Share child care responsibilities with a friend or neighbor (or spouse).

Gifts and Donations
Carefully consider each situation and cut out all monetary giving that you possibly can.
Make gifts instead of buying them.
Give or your time instead of your money.

Recreation and Entertainment
Do family things together that are in inexpensive.
Consider the costs or habits such as smoking.
Attend high school and sports events instead of more expensive college and pro events.
Have potluck affairs at home.
Take vacations at home.
Use public parks and picnic areas.
Eliminate cable TV.

Personal
Select cosmetics that are reasonably priced.
Do your own shampoos, sets and blow dries.
Cut children's hair yourself.
Set reasonable amounts for children's allowances and have a definite understanding of what the amount is to cover.
Carry only pocket change needed for bus fare and small items.

Savings
Determine your saving goals.
Be willing to compromise.
Use payroll deductions for savings.
Save bonus income.
Keep your loose change for savings.
Save on a regular basis: pay yourself first.
Alter your spending habits
Use savings for emergencies only.
Make saving a family affair.
Put your budget on a diet!

Miscellaneous
Have legal aid evaluate alimony payments.
Consider all costs to determine if family really profits from two incomes.
Reduce pet care expenses by doing your own grooming.