1. Buy ten items from yard sales and thrift/charity shops, instead of paying department store prices. To locate charity shops (which accept donated clothes and then sells them) with the most exclusive labels, and items generally in the best condition, search out charity shops in up-market/high end locations. Be friendly to the shop clerk, and ask on which days newly acquired items are put on show to the public.

2. Use your clothes tumble drier less -- hang five loads of wet laundered clothes on your line in your backyard. You will benefit from lower electricity bills and the clothes will have that wonderful outdoorsy scent.

3. Once a month, make a pizza yourself, instead of having one delivered. While preparing one, batch freeze two others. The cost of making pizza is ridiculously low compared to buying in the store and especially having one delivered.

4. Instead of calling your relatives or friends long distance, sit down and write a long newsy letter. Or an email.

5. Reduce your families consumption of whole milk by two containers per week. Instead of drinking all milk, use re-constituted dried milk which has been chilled.

6. Give your children a nutritious packed lunch once a week. Include a piece of fruit and a homemade cookie.

7. Reduce your families consumption of canned or individually bottled soda by six cans or the equivalent, per week.

8. Bake two fresh loaves of bread every week, it is very therapeutic and much appreciated by everybody.

9. Reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke each day by three. Or give up completely and save even more money.

10. Save money on birthday gifts by making cards, wrapping paper, home-made birthday cake and related decorations, all yourself. It is easy and fun.

Erica Armstrong
www.Textwriters