Your stories for saving money in tough times

I bike to work. I work at Argonne National Lab in Lemont. I live in Naperville -- it's a 32-mile round trip. It takes me 70 minutes to bike vs. 30 minutes to drive but I enjoy it. I save money and get great exercise.

We have showers, locker rooms and the dress is casual here at the lab -- it's a great place to work. I have two bicycles hanging on my office wall, and a tire pump standing next to them, the labs management is very supportive of bicycle/alternative transportation by its employees.

Tom Buffington

We have been working with [our lender] since January on getting our mortgage restructured since we are caught up in the subprime mess, and we are paying over $1,300/month on a $110,000 mortgage.

Buy food from Angel Food Ministry (since last December) which saves a BUNDLE for our five-person family. Check them out at www.angelfoodministry.com.

Here is what I will be getting next week when I pick up my order:

* 16 oz. sliced carrots.

* 16 oz. mixed vegetables.

* 32 oz. Borden 2% reduced fat shelf stable milk.

* 6 oz. pancake mix.

* 15 oz. pork and beans.

* 14 oz. ketchup.

* 7.5 oz. macaroni & cheese.

* dozen eggs.

* dessert item.

* 1.5 lb. rib eye steaks (4 x 6 oz).

* 1.5 lb. hamburger patties (4 x 6 oz).

* 2 lb. pork riblets.

* 4 lb.individually quick frozen chicken leg quarters.

* 2 lb. breaded chicken tenders.

* 20 oz. supreme pizza.

* 1 lb. mild Italian sausage.

* 2 lb. french fries.

* 24 oz. T-bone steaks (2 x 12 oz.).

* 2 lb. meaty baby back ribs.

* 2 lb. thick cut pork chops (4 x 8 oz.).

* 1 lb. bratwurst sausage.

* 2 lb. N.Y. strips (4 x 8 oz.).

* 2 lb. sirloin strips (4 x 8 oz.).

* 1 lb. hamburger beef steaks (2 x 8 oz.).

TOTAL AMOUNT PAID $70

Other things we have always done:

* Planning out shopping trips. My husband and I carpool, don't drive to the "other side of town" unless I need to go to more than one store.

* Shut off lights in rooms no one is in.

* Turn off water when we brush our teeth.

* Most of all we don't use credit cards.

Things I have recently started to do: make my own laundry soap, shampoo, hand and body lotion, insect repellent, hand sanitizer, fabric softener and various household cleaners.

Things I would love to do (besides saving my home!!): convert my home to solar power (but that costs around $10,000-$15,000) and convert my car to or purchase a hybrid.

mom of three in IL