So, it's obvious that economic times are tough, but nothing we really haven't faced in America before.  For some, it may simply be our first time going throught this.  And let's not forget, this is the most we have ever been aware of recession then before through 24/7 media outlets, internet and blogs (that stuff wasn't around in 81', 87' or 92').

 

Anyhow, I have aquired a paper route.  I'm in my late 30's with a wife and three kids under 5 yrs old.  I am a professionally certified civil engineer with a job currently.  Being that all the kids are 5 and under, they are all still at home, so we can not afford daycare.  It ran about $205/week/child, or simply put, $1230 out of a 2 week paycheck.  My wife never made the amount to cover that bill, so 2 working parents would not work.  I am the type that does not want to get an evening job, or have my wife get a weekend job, because that takes too much time from the family away.  Our kids would constantly only be with one parent.  Therefore, early morning paper delivery worked best for me.  They never know I'm gone because they're still asleep.  Every single person that has found out I do this makes fun of me.  I guess in times like this, you just can not put enough money away.  We made our bills fine on our current income, as we have always lived with our means,  but you can not rely on that income being there forever.  Obviously, 401k and IRA funds have tanked big time, so maybe this can make up that difference.  Also, my employer is not giving increases like they used to, so this can cover that problem.  Even if you have a job, you still feel the pain. 

 

So, I was just curious as to what other people have done to adapt as far as spending cuts, second/third jobs etc.

GoTribe, screw what other people think about how you are supporting your family!

 

I understand what you are saying about a second job.  When I was little pipsqueak, my Dad took a second job and my Mom, who was a flight attendant, flew extra routes.  They did this so my brother and I could have a better life.

 

Its not uncommon. 

 

Do whats best for you and your family! 

 

Personally, I've really tried to cut back on shopping.

I've tried to increase my shopping at local small merchants.  My financial situation has been unique during school, and my cash flow has been unaffected by the recession.  The least I can do is spend in such a way that my money circulates locally.  Ideally that will lead to a couple more part-time jobs being available for others.

 

Personally, I've really tried to cut back on shopping.

 

you mean buying off-the-rack instead of haute couture?

I agree.  It doesn't matter what anyone thinks about what you are doing.  Sounds like the perfect fit for your lifestyle.  Spend as much time as you can with the kids, they will be in their 20's before you know it.  Good luck.

 

Luckily, we've not had to do anything differently, but our youngest is a senior in high school so we don't have the small kid issue.

 

Personally, I've really tried to cut back on shopping.

 

you mean buying off-the-rack instead of haute couture?

 

HUSH.  No, I've havent boght anything since my January spree.  I feel bad because my guys at Barney's work on commission.

as of yet my job is not in danger, and I have no kids or wife.  so I am combating the recession by spending money in the same way I always have.  I agree on the strategy of spending locally.  if I am frugal about anything, it is that I am spending less on big ticket items because I have less money to do so.  or really, never had money to do so. 

as of yet my job is not in danger, and I have no kids or wife.  so I am combating the recession by spending money in the same way I always have.  I agree on the strategy of spending locally.  if I am frugal about anything, it is that I am spending less on big ticket items because I have less money to do so.  or really, never had money to do so. 

 

I wonder if people are using credit in the same manner.  Are people trying to pay off debt, rather than add to it.

 

Like math, I don't have any children, so I really haven't changed much except for cutting back on non essential goods.  I only have house to worry about, and if things got that bad, I could turn it into a duplex or sell.

"Every single person that has found out I do this makes fun of me."

 

You have my full blessing to tell those compassionless b@stards to go f#ck themselves. :-)

 

In addition to having my resume put in all the right peoples' hands, I'm drumming up quite a bit of freelance work.

Good for you, gotribe, those bastards making fun of you will soon be in line wishing they had a 2nd job as well, and there are almost none to be had.  And I hear you on the childcare thing, it is astronomical, it's a wonder anyone who is not rich has more than one kid.  I started a 2nd job about 1.5 years ago and am still at it (retail sales), mr. rockandroller started a second job about 6 months ago and he is still at it.  His job is in a retail store but he was working in receiving. Since the end of the holiday season, they have gouged everyone's hours (at my store too) but as he proved himself a valuable and intelligent employee (not easy to come by at PT, min. wage work), they have found other odd jobs for him to take care of inside the store.  So he is only working 2 days a month in receiving, but he works 2 nights a week painting/repainting/fixing up different parts of the store.  I also proved myself to be valuable, reliable and dependent and am one of the few PT people that didn't get the axe in all the cuts my store has had in recent months, now we are down to a skeleton crew.  It's very hard to continue working there now that I'm 7 months pregnant, but I am keeping my hand in as long as I can because I may need to pick it back up in the fall when seasonal hiring starts.  You have to do what you have to do.

 

One plus side to getting PG has been a halving of our alcohol consumption bill, which was mostly at-home alcohol anyway as it's so expensive to drink in restaurants.  I also have had a lot of trouble eating during the PG so our food bill has gone way down and I have no desire to eat out at restaurants so we have been saving a lot that way.  I bought a few basic maternity pieces and have been rotating them with other, larger parts of my normal wardrobe the whole pregnancy, so new new clothes since last August, no new shoes since my feet may swell up and my existing shoes may not fit, no new anything because shopping just makes me tired.  I never bought much stuff before but this has been a cost saver for sure.

 

We don't really have a lot of other places to cut expenses.  Neither of us are a "latte a day" type people who get coffee out (mr. doesn't even drink coffee and I obviously have quit for the time being, though I do drink the free office decaf), we don't ever get clothes dry cleaned, I never get manicures or pedicures, I only get my hair cut about 2-3 times a year, etc.  So we have worked more to fix our overall financial picture since there aren't a lot of places to cut.  We've consolidated credit cards where we could, are paying down what we can and calling to ask for lower interest rates periodically.  We even got our apartment management company to agree to not give us the annual rent increase (by threatening to move).  We hang dry most clothes now to save on dryer costs and once cooking/kitchen cleanup is over for the night, the only electric we use is the TV and the computer - everything else is candles or a lone lamp with a compact flour. bulb.  Although we have free heat, the electric bill is affected by the furnace kicking on so we've kept it a lot cooler this winter than in years past.  We also don't run the dishwasher until it's very full and not until after 8; the electric company "rewards" you with lower rates if you wait til after 8 to run an appliance.  We cut our paper towel and napkin consumption to zero by buying re-usable cloth napkins and dishtowels.  We eat a meatless dinner at least once a week - healthier and cheaper.

 

If I think of more tips, I'll post them.

^wow!  congratulations.  sounds like hard work!!

 

Here's another tip for you to try!  Reusable toilet wipes!!

 

http://living.wallypop.net/wipes.html

It's really not that hard.  I think the hardest thing for people not living the way we do would be learning to cook from scratch, but there is really nothing better for you or your budget.  Really good food out is so expensive and mediocre food is just not worth paying for.  We do get a pizza about once a month or so but that's about it.  Pizza is one of the few things I cannot successfully, adequately make at home that rivals a pizza place, it's just impossible without one of their ovens. 

RNR you sound like my father in the later part of your post.  I turned on their dish washer at Noon a couple of weeks ago and he nearly had a fit.

 

Cloth napkins are the way to go since you can wash them with your twice a week laundry and since it's just the two of you its not that much added to the load.

 

For things like laundry detergent, dish washing liquid, Windex, and other cleaners buy the industrial size.

 

you can visit places like

www.walletpop.com

www.coupons.com

 

They have bargains all over.  For instance, for you chocolate lovers Godiva is giving away free brownies until Thursday.

 

for those of you who have been paying your bills ontime, call for a lower interest rate.  Some company's like AMEX have been paying people to close their accounts.

Caveat emptor: MANY retailers will not accept an online/internet coupon. This includes most grocery stores and places like Target. 

 

Instead of windex, buy some ammonia and dilute it with water yourself.  Instead of tilex, do the same with bleach. 

 

Oh, and we only do laundry once a week, if that.  When the small fry comes, we will have to do it much more frequently unfortunately.

 

There are free happy hours all over that provide snacks. When we were both unemployed, we used to have a schedule of which places have apps on which days and those would often be our dinner.  Not gourmet most of it, but hey, free food.

Wow!  Thanks for the info RnR and MTS. 

 

RnR, that's funny about your alcohol bill being cut in half by the pregnancy.  My wife says the same thing when she's pregnant.  She also thinks she should lose weight from no alcohol consumption in addition with saving money. 

 

Caveat emptor: MANY retailers will not accept an online/internet coupon. This includes most grocery stores and places like Target. 

 

Instead of windex, buy some ammonia and dilute it with water yourself.  Instead of tilex, do the same with bleach. 

 

Oh, and we only do laundry once a week, if that.  When the small fry comes, we will have to do it much more frequently unfortunately.

 

There are free happy hours all over that provide snacks. When we were both unemployed, we used to have a schedule of which places have apps on which days and those would often be our dinner.  Not gourmet most of it, but hey, free food.

 

Actually there is a website that lets you add coupons to you grocery store frequent guest account.  I have to find it and I'll post it.

 

RNR are you sure you're not related to my cheap @ss grand father?  He loves his ammonia!  LOL

Welcome.  sign up for the dollar stretcher newsletter; sometimes their tips are worthless but sometimes they are good.  And if you submit one and they publish it, you get $100.

 

 

Wow!  Thanks for the info RnR and MTS. 

 

RnR, that's funny about your alcohol bill being cut in half by the pregnancy.  My wife says the same thing when she's pregnant.  She also thinks she should lose weight from no alcohol consumption in addition with saving money. 

 

 

No thanks needed.  I'm cheap.  Nothing like sharing something thats free.

 

Also, for you folks that like to shop, try shopping at consignment stores and discount stores that you like.  For instance in Cleveland the TJ Maxx on Chagrin gets product from Saks.

I'm trying to start my own consulting business (mostly out of desperation for $$$), which I never would have considered if not for the economy

eBay is great for clothes but you MUST know your measurements.  When I started this job I had to get a lot of very dressy clothes and all my other jobs were casual or business casual.  I bought several "lots" of clothes for very reasonable prices that were in great condition and wore the crap out of those the first few months I was here.

 

MTS, your grandfather sounds like my type of guy.

 

My big "thing" about saving $ is food related.  I cringe when I see people buying stuff like boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the store, to me it's like throwing your money into a shredder.  Same thing with people going through a drive through.  Learn how to cook, learn how to incorporate the cheaper cuts of meat into your life and make them tasty, you can save a ton.

 

  I cringe when I see people buying stuff like boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the store, to me it's like throwing your money into a shredder. 

 

I only buy them when they're $1.99 /lb or less.

I'm trying to start my own consulting business (mostly out of desperation for $$$), which I never would have considered if not for the economy

 

So what's your expertise?

 

  I cringe when I see people buying stuff like boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the store, to me it's like throwing your money into a shredder. 

 

I only buy them when they're $1.99 /lb or less.

 

I used to only buy the flash-frozen ones in the big bag.  Cheap as can be and perfect when you're only cooking for 1-2.  These days I don't even have time to fry a chicken breast.

freelance writing and copy editing. i had a small business in college, now i'm trying to expand it with some international exporters

Good luck! 

eBay is great for clothes but you MUST know your measurements.  When I started this job I had to get a lot of very dressy clothes and all my other jobs were casual or business casual.  I bought several "lots" of clothes for very reasonable prices that were in great condition and wore the crap out of those the first few months I was here.

 

MTS, your grandfather sounds like my type of guy.

 

My big "thing" about saving $ is food related.  I cringe when I see people buying stuff like boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the store, to me it's like throwing your money into a shredder.  Same thing with people going through a drive through.  Learn how to cook, learn how to incorporate the cheaper cuts of meat into your life and make them tasty, you can save a ton.

 

My grand father is the cheapest man and all three of his sons are just as cheap!

 

Another thing people need to learn to do is basic HOME maintenance it amazes me how many people don't know where the circuit breaker is. 

 

In regard to cooking its a catch 22 for me.  Since I live alone, if i make something I don't want to eat it again three days in a row or take the time to freeze it.  It's often easier to get a meal on the go.  I'm not a great cook but I know my way around.

 

If I can take the skin of a chicken anyone can.  Personally, when I cook a chicken I bake a whole chicken then go from there.  It's too hard for me to cook individual pieces.

 

  I cringe when I see people buying stuff like boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the store, to me it's like throwing your money into a shredder. 

 

I only buy them when they're $1.99 /lb or less.

 

Chicken backs and necks, which make a tasty soup broth and have bits of usable chicken in them for your soup, are often $.30-.40/pound.  Bone in breasts are $1.79 a pound vs. $1.99 for boneless right now, takes 2 seconds to de-bone (or cook with the bone on for MORE TASTE!).  A whole chicken is $1.29 a pound.  Buying the bonless/skinless is NOT a good deal.

 

Are people trying to pay off debt, rather than add to it.

 

I got really lucky on my credit cards, I payed my $7k card off two years ago with the excess of my student loans.  I turned a $200 interest payment to the credit card company into an extra two years of subsidized loan debt.  I am still years away from paying it.  but at least I have no high interest debt.  cutting up that credit card was the best thing I ever did for my bottom line.   

 

  I cringe when I see people buying stuff like boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the store, to me it's like throwing your money into a shredder. 

 

I only buy them when they're $1.99 /lb or less.

 

Chicken backs and necks, which make a tasty soup broth and have bits of usable chicken in them for your soup, are often $.30-.40/pound.  Bone in breasts are $1.79 a pound vs. $1.99 for boneless right now, takes 2 seconds to de-bone (or cook with the bone on for MORE TASTE!).  A whole chicken is $1.29 a pound.  Buying the bonless/skinless is NOT a good deal.

 

 

But you have to consider the fact that when buying chicken w/bones you're also paying for the weight of the bones; and in my case I'd probably end up severing one of my own tendons (to say nothing of arteries) if I attempted to de-bone a chicken!

1. I purchase local coffees at local shops about twice a week, down from about five times a week. I also purchase a lot of teas at Whole Foods or a health food store and brew it at home or at work instead of purchasing it at coffee shops.

2. I splurged on a $900 pigment-based photograph printer to save on long-term costs associated with my growing side-interests.

3. I frequently sell items on Amazon.com and Craigslist, and make a healthy return on used items. I have actually gone dumpster diving (mainly for college texts by bookstores) and turned around and made a killing on Amazon.com.

4. I am setting up an online cart through Google on Abandoned for the selling of my prints, and will expand this out to my other sites. Likewise, I now have paid advertising at Abandoned. I actually have returned a few dollars already!

5. I pack my lunch three days a week, up from one or two before. I'm going to increase this as I go on.

6. I buy as much as I can local. I shop at Park+Vine a lot, and my money that goes to the store is returned back to the community or back to Park+Vine. Pretty much anything outside of food, I buy at Park+Vine.

Agreed, but the bones and other parts make for a much more flavorful meal for you and can be used in many more and interesting and tasty ways than just the breasts, and you get much, much more for your money.  IMO, buying the breasts only is like paying for premium gas when you have absolutely no reason to do so.  I'm not arguing it's not a "time saver" but the thread is about saving money, and if that is your #1 concern, you would never buy them.

 

There are dozens of free videos online that show you how to cut up a chicken, and it's covered in most basic cookbooks as well.  It doesn't have to be presentation-pretty to be functional.

^I've been doing a lot more shopping at the West Side Market; granted you have to take time to learn what vendors are best (especially in produce) but:

 

1. Herbs at Basketeria and A&J (next to Basketeria) are $1.00 for a small container vs. $2 and up at Daves (and even higher at places like Giant Eagle)

2. Cheeses at the Mediterranean Imported foods store - they're cheaper, better quality, and I can order a quarter pound of whatever/however instead of buying a larger size somewhere else and grating it myself.

3. Same thing with cuts of meat - and the vendors are usually happy to tell you ideas of how to prepare the food.

4. A small container of deelish Pad Thai from Kim Se is enough for a meal and costs only $2 (some dishes are too complicated to put together at home).

 

And fwiw, I've printed out coupons from coupons.com and Target in Steelyard Commons accepted them.

 

 

 

^I've been doing a lot more shopping at the West Side Market; granted you have to take time to learn what vendors are best (especially in produce) but:

 

1. Herbs at Basketeria and A&J (next to Basketeria) are $1.00 for a small container vs. $2 and up at Daves (and even higher at places like Giant Eagle)

2. Cheeses at the Mediterranean Imported foods store - they're cheaper, better quality, and I can order a quarter pound of whatever/however instead of buying a larger size somewhere else and grating it myself.

3. Same thing with cuts of meat - and the vendors are usually happy to tell you ideas of how to prepare the food.

4. A small container of deelish Pad Thai from Kim Se is enough for a meal and costs only $2 (some dishes are too complicated to put together at home).

 

I agree with MayDay but will tell you many butchers have no idea how to tell you how to prepare different cuts.  I asked my pork guy once how he recommended I prepare trotter and he had no idea.  However, he said he could get me ears if I wanted them when I asked (was going to have a cocktail party and these would have been on the menu, which was later cancelled) and he knows just where the pigs came from and how and where they are processed and that's more important to me.  I can consult my cookbooks for how to prepare things.

 

I second the rec for Basketeria; that's the only produce stand I ever go to there and I don't get much there for the same reason.  Also strong second for the mediterranean store; as much of our diet is mediterranean, this is a regular stop for me.  I buy a lot of olives there, cheeses, fresh phyllo, I get all our OO there (EV and regular).

^I've been doing a lot more shopping at the West Side Market; granted you have to take time to learn what vendors are best (especially in produce) but:

 

1. Herbs at Basketeria and A&J (next to Basketeria) are $1.00 for a small container vs. $2 and up at Daves (and even higher at places like Giant Eagle)

2. Cheeses at the Mediterranean Imported foods store - they're cheaper, better quality, and I can order a quarter pound of whatever/however instead of buying a larger size somewhere else and grating it myself.

3. Same thing with cuts of meat - and the vendors are usually happy to tell you ideas of how to prepare the food.

4. A small container of deelish Pad Thai from Kim Se is enough for a meal and costs only $2 (some dishes are too complicated to put together at home).

 

I agree with MayDay but will tell you many butchers have no idea how to tell you how to prepare different cuts.  I asked my pork guy once how he recommended I prepare trotter and he had no idea.  However, he said he could get me ears if I wanted them when I asked (was going to have a cocktail party and these would have been on the menu, which was later cancelled) and he knows just where the pigs came from and how and where they are processed and that's more important to me.  I can consult my cookbooks for how to prepare things.

 

I second the rec for Basketeria; that's the only produce stand I ever go to there and I don't get much there for the same reason.  Also strong second for the mediterranean store; as much of our diet is mediterranean, this is a regular stop for me.  I buy a lot of olives there, cheeses, fresh phyllo, I get all our OO there (EV and regular).

 

Trotters.  lol  I love it how "pig feet" have become trotters in the culinary world! 

 

They're pig feet.  You serve them with hot sauce! lol

LOL.  you got it.

speaking of cheese, the best store in New York for prices is East Village Cheese. Not the biggest selection, but with rock-bottom prices, who cares? (I bet it's cheaper than anyplace in Ohio -lol)  http://nymag.com/listings/stores/east_village_cheese/

 

 

oooh, that place looks great.

oooh, that place looks great.

 

Yeah, I don't know how they do it. When you walk in there's a refrig. case sometimes selling basic standard issue brie (but still very good) for as little as $1.50 for a decent sized wedge. So far I've never gotten sick from any of their products! :lol:

oooh, that place looks great.

 

Yeah, I don't know how they do it. When you walk in there's a refrig. case sometimes selling basic standard issue brie (but still very good) for as little as $1.50 for a decent sized wedge. So far I've never gotten sick from any of their products! :D

 

EV Cheese is by Astor Place?  I think I've been past there and thought what a great place, but because I wasn't going straight home, I didn't go in.  As cardsnxtyr would say, I love me some cheese!

oooh, that place looks great.

 

Yeah, I don't know how they do it. When you walk in there's a refrig. case sometimes selling basic standard issue brie (but still very good) for as little as $1.50 for a decent sized wedge. So far I've never gotten sick from any of their products! :D

 

EV Cheese is by Astor Place?  I think I've been past there and thought what a great place, but because I wasn't going straight home, I didn't go in.  As cardsnxtyr would say, I love me some cheese!

 

it's on 3rd Ave. between 9th and 10th Sts. You can't miss it with all the signs plastering the window. Also good selection of breads, olives, crackers, sardines, preserves, chopped li-vah, etc.

  We cut our paper towel and napkin consumption to zero by buying re-usable cloth napkins and dishtowels. 

 

I just steal napkins from Chipotle (plastic silverware too).  Every time I'm there, I just grab a 6 inch stack of napkins and put it in my bag, along about 10 forks and 10 knives. 

  We cut our paper towel and napkin consumption to zero by buying re-usable cloth napkins and dishtowels. 

 

I just steal napkins from Chipotle (plastic silverware too).  Every time I'm there, I just grab a 6 inch stack of napkins and put it in my bag, along about 10 forks and 10 knives. 

 

Then your name fits!  LOL  Mr. Theft

We cut our paper towel and napkin consumption to zero by buying re-usable cloth napkins and dishtowels.

 

I just steal napkins from Chipotle (plastic silverware too). Every time I'm there, I just grab a 6 inch stack of napkins and put it in my bag, along about 10 forks and 10 knives.

 

Wasteful, just not of your own money.  But that contributes to Chipotle's bottom line, which contributes to yours.

Giving up bathing will let me turn off my water heater, saving on my gas bill and the expense of soap and laundering towels and washcloths. I'm thinking I can cut down further on laundering expense by only changing clothes every couple of weeks.

 

If I sleep in my clothes, it saves time getting dressed and undressed, and I can set my thermostat lower.

 

Another plus, people will avoid me and I won't be annoyed as much and can drink less. :|

 

Edit: I probably should have added this:  :wink:

And yeah, the Febreeze is a good suggestion. :-D

Just use Febreeze.

Wow, by the sounds of some of these "tips", I have really led a sheltered life...

To combat the recession, I turn off cnn.  I also work part time for the university and do all the hard work that no one wants to do.  I've actually worked far more than I should since I'm currently finishing up grad school.  I've only applied to a few planning jobs so far, but I really don't know what to expect yet.  There's restaurants hiring here in Ann Arbor.  A new Panera opened a couple blocks from my apartment and they need people, so I might apply there to augment my current job.  It's always good to have a back-up if you have the time.  At the same time, I'm planning on leasing out my apartment at a substantially reduced cost if I complete some unfinished work at my architecture firm up in Saginaw. 

 

Dress cheap.  I wear jeans and T-shirts.  Get food cheap.  I eat leftover and expired food where I currently work.  There's nothing wrong with it, so why not?  In fact, I only spend $40/week to feed myself.

 

Take mass transit.  The bus system is free for students and faculty in Ann Arbor.  Why drive?  It's not so much gas, it's maintenance.  I have an old truck and it's good when I need it.  My parents are pressuring me to replace it, but why bother if I can keep it running?  At the end of the year, I'm going to offer a service to shuttle students furniture from dorm/apartments to self storage units.  I will offer this at a much reduced cost than other movers.  I just need to get the paperwork in order.

I also work part time for the university and do all the hard work that no one wants to do.  I've actually worked far more than I should since I'm currently finishing up grad school.  There's restaurants hiring here in Ann Arbor.  A new Panera opened a couple blocks from my apartment and they need people, so I might apply there to augment my current job.  It's always good to have a back-up if you have the time. 

 

Congratulations!  Some other people should take your lead.  There are jobs out there if people want them.  Of course, many people think they are too good to get out there and do something menial.

Giving up bathing will let me turn off my water heater, saving on my gas bill and the expense of soap and laundering towels and washcloths. I'm thinking I can cut down further on laundering expense by only changing clothes every couple of weeks.

 

If I sleep in my clothes, it saves time getting dressed and undressed, and I can set my thermostat lower.

 

Another plus, people will avoid me and I won't be annoyed as much and can drink less. :|

Lord

 

Just use Febreeze.

Lawd Geezus!  LMAO!

 

 

To combat the recession, I turn off cnn.  I also work part time for the university and do all the hard work that no one wants to do.  I've actually worked far more than I should since I'm currently finishing up grad school.  I've only applied to a few planning jobs so far, but I really don't know what to expect yet.  There's restaurants hiring here in Ann Arbor.  A new Panera opened a couple blocks from my apartment and they need people, so I might apply there to augment my current job.  It's always good to have a back-up if you have the time.  At the same time, I'm planning on leasing out my apartment at a substantially reduced cost if I complete some unfinished work at my architecture firm up in Saginaw. 

 

Dress cheap.  I wear jeans and T-shirts.  Get food cheap.  I eat leftover and expired food where I currently work.  There's nothing wrong with it, so why not?  In fact, I only spend $40/week to feed myself.

 

Take mass transit.  The bus system is free for students and faculty in Ann Arbor.  Why drive?  It's not so much gas, it's maintenance.  I have an old truck and it's good when I need it.  My parents are pressuring me to replace it, but why bother if I can keep it running?  At the end of the year, I'm going to offer a service to shuttle students furniture from dorm/apartments to self storage units.  I will offer this at a much reduced cost than other movers.  I just need to get the paperwork in order.

Sounds like a good plan outside of the CNN thing!