I live in a small rural town, and we (the town) just barely got some dumpsters to put recyclables in. It is voluntary at this point whether or not you choose to contribute. My daughter lives in Gilbert, AZ -- if you don't put out your recyclables there, you get a ticket!

But what I was going to say, is that I've bought flowers, flowers and more flowers this year. (new house) The owner of one nursery said she accepts the containers back and will re-use them, even if they didn't originally come from there. Theoretically, this should help her keep her prices down.

I never learned how. Plus, you have to see these cukes, big as my arm!!!

They grew too fast to even keep up with picking them, so the ucky ones ended up as compost. So no pickles, but we did make dirt.



That compost must be a good deal too, cuz I just put my veggies in a couple days ago and my tomato plants have doubled in size. Free fertilizer.





Twink - in a couple years, you can divide your perenials and swap them with other gardeners. Free flowers!

Just found this website. It's got lots of coupon codes for online shopping.

http://www.retailmenot.com/

That's a great coupon site, Kitty. I use it all the time.

Cheers

Resurrecting this thread because I need some good ideas on how to "make do" in this awful economy!

I buy what is on sale. Right now at one of our local grocery stores raspberries are on sale for $0.88 per pint. I bought some, cleaned them up and put them in the freezer for later use. However, sometimes buying them already frozen is cheaper and you have to factor that in as well. I do this when other (freezable) fruits and veggies go on sale as well as meat. Boneless, skinless chicken has been on sale quite often here and I've been picking some up at $1.77 (+/- a little) a pound.

There are some items that I buy the store brand. Target's t.p. is just as good as other name brands as well as their paper towels. I don't, however, skimp on laundry detergent. Based on Consumer Reports and other reviews, I buy Tide Coldwater. DBF works in the auto industry and his clothes get filthy. We've tried different cheaper brands and found that we had to use more detergent to get them clean, which was not a savings at all. It actually cost more.

I use baking soda and vinegar for most of my cleaning. It is inexpensive and has many other uses as well.

That's all I can think of right now.

I really don't have any earth-shattering solutions to offer.....but here's what I've been doing so far.

Groceries are ridiculously expensive. And just try to eat healthy and you're in for a rude awakening. It's such a shame that the overly processed, junky things are what's on sale most of the time. I've started eating more beans, pasta and brown rice. I have meat (chicken or lean beef) only 2-3 times a week (and sometimes less).

I've bought lots of terry cloth dish towels and use them exclusively. No more paper towels. It took a little while to build up my supply but I have enough now to always have a clean supply in the kitchen.

I know this sounds extreme but I don't have a car anymore so my expenses for car payments, insurance, maintenance and gas have gone away. If I need to use a car I borrow my son's. I've gotten my grocery shopping/errands down to 2-3 times per month. Yes, it's difficult and I'm still getting used to not being able to just "go" whenever. But, I've come to realize, there are much, much worse things in life than not having a car. I know it's not an option for everyone but for me it works (for now).

Cooking from scratch and freezing things also helps save money and keeps me eating healthier. I can't tell you the last time I ate anything that wasn't made in my own kitchen.

With no COLA this year either it looks like our belts are going to have to get a little tighter.

Do I have to read all the other 187 posts so I don't repeat?

Well, since most of us wouldn't remember the other 187 posts, I wouldn't worry about repeating. It will be new to me and I've followed this thread since the beginning!

If I didn't repeat myself (often) I'd never have anything to say!!