How Are You Saving Money in the Recession?

[Anselm's Mom]

Hi fellow parents --
I'm working on a piece for Babble's upcoming Economy Issue (look for it next week!) about saving money during the recession, and I thought I'd open it up to reader suggestions. The question is: what substitutions are you making in order to save money? Are you making lunch instead of picking up take-out? Are your kids getting winter sweaters from Target instead of Childrens Place? Are you swapping babysitting nights with your friends to avoid the cost of a sitter? Share your suggestions and if we get some good ones, we'll link to them from the article! -- Gwynne

[Milena]

-clipping coupons
-staying put on the weekends instead of driving all over the city
-trying to bring my lunch into work on most days (although that isn't always possible)
-haven't been spending on clothes for myself (which is a big one for me) or the baby unless she needs it
-Not going out to eat on the weekends
-Definitely not going all out this Christmas as I have before for my little one-- she will not even notice-- she's 2.

[cleo]

To save money, I:
Buy generic instead of the name brands, they both have the same ingredients,
Go to the thrift stores and shop for clothes
Buy in bulk
Buy things that I need instead of want
I am also using the WIC program. We save over $1000.00 a year because we get dairy products for free.
Eat out twice a month
Always shop in the clearance section at name brand stores

[Anselm's Mom]

Here's the article! Anyone have additional tips they'd like to add?