Put energy efficient light bulbs in every light fixture except one for a reading lamp if you are a great reader. 

You don't need meat every day.  Use meat as seasoning rather than as an entree.

Lots of legumes.  They are healthier. They will help lose weight and provide lots of fiber and vitamins.

Unplug appliances that you are not using.

When you use your car, be smart about your route.  Don't waste gas back tracking.

Ebay.  You can get great new clothes, shoes on Ebay for a fraction of the cost.

If you can, buy flour, rice in bulk. 

If you eat bread, try a breadmaker.  If you buy yeast, flour, sugar or honey in bulk, you can make a loaf of bread for 12 cents and that includes the electricity to make it.  If your machine has a timer, you can set it so that the bread is done when you walk in the door after work. 

Small appliances take less electricity than an oven.  Things you do a lot of may cost less if you switch to a small appliance that does it. Rice cookers, toaster, roaster ovens. 

Frozen vegetables.  Believe it or not, frozen vegetables often have more vitamins and minerals than fresh.  Ask you extension service if you don't believe me.  They are often cheaper than fresh. 

Definitely cook your own meals.

Order things online with friends and split the shipping costs.  Occasionally I do this and if enough people order some things, we qualify for free shipping and usually get the item we bought for much less.

Entertain yourself with things offered free or low cost in your community.  Museums, library events, zoos.  

Borrow books from libraries and many libraries now loan audio books that you can download from home, saving you gas. 

If you like buying/collecting books, do check out library book sales.  There are online sites that list sales. 

Another thing I have done with friends.  Either rent or buy a DVD as a group. Then take turns watching it. 

Dollar stores.  The quality of dollar store merchandise often puts Wal-Mart to shame.  There are generic products I will buy at a Dollar store but would never buy at Wal-mart.  For the same price.  Dollar store coffee is one of its best kept secrets. It is NOT stale or poor quality. I am a coffee snob.  Walmart generic coffee is awful but some of the Dollar stores really get good stuff.

 Another couple of things.  If you eat meat, check your area for distribution plants for poultry and other meat.  You may have to google this, check with chamber of commerce or ask around because they tend to be best-kept secrets in even the smallest communities.  Only one person I know knew about the one I use.  You can often buy meat at 30, 33 or even 40% less than supermarket prices.  

Also check for packing houses for fruits and vegetables. I used to live near a peach packing house and we used to get bushels of peaches and nectarines for a really low price.

Also used tires if you need tires.  If you are really broke and need your car to get to work, sometimes used tires are worth it.  Generally they won't last as long as new ones but if you are really desperate there is a big difference between $25 and $65. I used to get a flat tire a month due to my awful dirt road.  Whether the tire was new or not, I would lose one a month. I just got tired of paying for new tires so I went to used for 7 years.  Did fine with them.  They were not any better or worse in holding up to my dirt road.

Also, get a good HDTV antenna and you can do without cable.  I can afford cable now but don't need it.  I get 15 channels that are crystal clear with my antenna I bought online.  Check ebay for them.  I get all the major networks, PBS, CW, plus a movie channel that is surprisingly good.  

Also, remember most public libraries have computers and wireless internet. If you have a laptop you can use the library's wireless.  Our patrons can get reception outside in the parking lot and occasionally do even when we are closed.  

Libraries also have computer classes, job fairs, resume writing clinics and other programs.  

You need an inexpensive hobby?  Try genealogy.  It is a lot more addicting than you can imagine and your library makes it inexpensive.

The current economic crisis necessitates more than just penny pinching; it requires more drastic measures.  For example, learn to say "No" particularly to children.  Most product advertisment is geared towards children who don't have money.  Children under 14 don't need cell phones, nor do they need every computer game or game system that comes out.  When it comes to clothing, the designer labels aren't worth the price so what's the point?  Is having instant access really worth the extra cost of the cell phone bill?  I think not.  Why would I want to check e-mail on the go?  If there's something "critical" then call me otherwise it can wait.  GPS on the phone or in the car; why?  There are things called maps and if you go online you can get travel directions.  Go out to the movies at those high prices?  Nope.  It's called wait for a dvd release and then check it out for free at the library or for cheap through other sources.  The movie studio and the actors still makes money so their greed is still satisfied.  There are drastic ways to cut expenses but not sacrifice true quality of life since material things and frivolous thing don't really add quality to life but do add quantity while reducing money.

I expect to be in mortgage stress next month.

Food preparation is something that I need classes in!