I clip coupons only for things I'd buy without the coupons, then wait to use the coupons when those items are on special. Ever notice how many coupons are for *stuff* (cosmetics, dog toys)? If I buy something that offers a rebate, that rebate request goes into the mail the same day I buy the item. (Companies bank on people not getting around to asking for the rebate.)

We've saved by almost never entering the grocery store aisle that offers the soda (and other flavored waters) and junk food.

We do use Costco, but seldom buy any of the "lures". If we are in there to get prime beef and Kleenex, that's all we come out with.

My son and DIL were happy to add Mom to their cell phone plan -- for $8 a month (plus taxes) and free calls between the three phones.

We use our library a lot. There are mighty few books I've ever read twice, and our library will order almost any book we've expressed an interest in. We also get DVDs from the library. I don't understand why would anyone *buy* more than a few DVDs for the kids? We also record from TV programs we want to see at our convenience -- like Mystery Theater and other PBS offerings. We seldom go to a movie theater -- there are few new movies that are not just as interesting on the small HDTV screen.

We keep our cars longer than some people. For example, we just bought a 2005 demo with a 6-year warranty. We'll probably keep it eight years, adding a warranty for the last two years if necessary. The car we sold was nine years old and had 50K miles on it. We are retired, and don't put many miles on a car. We also went from two cars to one when DH retired. I think there have been three times that a conflict in our schedules required me to rent a car -- sure cheaper than buying and insuring a second car.

None of these life-styles are "hardships". We like nice things and spend on those instead of these. We contribute to charities.

It took a while for me to wake up to the fact that The American Way is very consumer-spending driven. We are told over and over that we NEED a lot of stuff we don't need at all, and are likely better off without!

I need to look into the cellphone idea and see if i can get my parents onto my plan, thanks for that tip!

Shopping around and watching prices pays and pays well. Although I don't like changing insurance carriers, a few phone calls cut my insurance rates in half more than once. I got better garbage pickup service at a cheaper price (again, more than once) by making a few phone calls. Some internet research saved me some money on an ISP. When I used to get the paper, they had specials at different times of the year. Watch them though, they want to renew at full rate. These are a few examples.

So check around. It pays. And it can pay well. And you don't waste gas when you're on the internet or phone. Which brings up another point. When you total the gas and time of going out shopping, you can often do as well or better online. I have a deal now with my credit card that I'll get 5% back on all online purchases this month.

A big part is to keep your eyes open and pay attention to sources for items and prices. A price book or at least some notes can help save a lot.

The size of the pot doesn't increase.

If I buy quality stocks, I expect there to be a good possibility that the price on most of them may rise, given time, and I don't need the money right away.

Something over 35 years ago I bought stocks at $4.00+ (possibly $2.00+) per share and I can sell them now for $75.00 more or less, depending on the day or week. I don't need to answer to the Canada Revenue Agency till I either sell them (or die) - neither of which I plan to do this week or next.

Since the $10,000. I might have loaned to the bank 15 years ago on a 5-year certificate that I later renewed twice will only pay me $10,000. when I redeem it, I have a problem.

That $10,000. would have bought me a decent car, 15 years ago - not now. In 1947 my Dad bought a new Ford Monarch for $1,600.

So I need to add part of my current interest earnings to the pot in order to maintain its purchasing power.

Usually, the amount that dollar-denominated money earns doesn't change much, either - interest rates have stayed fairly stable.

But the dividends that the bank paid on their stock that I bought was about 6 cents or a dime, 37 years ago - but a few years ago advanced from 80 cents to 90 cents, then $1.00, later $1.24, $1.48, $1.64 - and now are $2.40 per share.

In Canada, I've paid a lower tax rate on that type of income for many years - and the government just anounced that they're going to make the tax rate lower.

Plus - I have to pay top rate of tax on interest income.

Also, the only return that I can expect on dollar-denominated asset is earned now - and taxed now, in addition to being taxed at the top rate.

I prefer to let that increase in value develop in solid stocks, and not pay tax on it till I sell it. And then at a lower rate.

Have a great week, everyone.

ole joyful