Pay on-time the bills charging late fees. Put off others: the phone, electric, car registration/insurance can go longer. Use the $ for food. — sarah, wisconsin 3 Votes Link | — sarah, wisconsin

Got local job, got Prius; let my renter's insurance lapse; gave up land line, gave up hair salon, manicures, pedicures, shop Goodwill. — jeanne, Florida 3 Votes Link | — jeanne, Florida

Never go food shopping without a detailed list of the items you need (not want) to purchase. Bring along only those coupons that matter. — New York City, Smart Shopper 6 Votes Link | — New York City, Smart Shopper

My work doesn't pay for meals with I travel, so I take a lot of fruit, and bread, turkey, and lettuce for four days' worth of sandwiches. — Jane, Cambridge, MA 4 Votes Link | — Jane, Cambridge, MA

Use the internet to research before buying anything big. Buy groceries from bent can store and meat only on sale then freeze it. — poormommy, oakland md 5 Votes Link | — poormommy, oakland md

Sell all your earthly possessions in a yard sale, what you don't sell, give away! — Austin, North Dakota 2 Votes Link | — Austin, North Dakota

Enroll in a 0.5 unit community college course and get a cheap student plan. Bad coverage but better than nothing; they have to cover you. — renesands, San Diego 11 Votes Link | — renesands, San Diego

I fast. I eat only one meal a day, and lots of water. Not only does it save money, I feel much better too. — Paul, Houston 4 Votes Link | — Paul, Houston

I started my own business. Won't be going to Hawaii again anytime soon, but we have lots of time together and we're making it. Life is goood — Scott Moore, Seattle, WA 2 Votes Link | — Scott Moore, Seattle, WA