How to Trim Your Family's Budget

Every time you go to the gas station, the grocery store, the mall...it's unavoidable. Prices go up and up and up but the paycheck doesn't keep pace. It's scary. To be honest, it's gotten way past scary -- it's turning into a living nightmare. One that you can't wake up from.

Take a deep breath...there are some things you can do to trim and cope and make the ends come at least a little closer to meeting every month.

Let's take a look at some ideas:

This is the first place that most people cut...trouble is, a lot of people seem to think they have to cut it out entirely and that makes them....frustrated. And bored. And if you have kids, you know that bored + frustrated = trouble. Okay, so the big-ticket items might not be such a good idea right now, but that doesn't mean you have to eliminate everything. There are still a lot of options out there:

• Hikes -- pack a lunch and a water bottle and put on your sturdy shoes. Head for the hills -- or the mountains, or a local park and walk. Look at things and just enjoy being together.
• Trips to your local zoo -- often inexpensive, especially when you consider how much time you can spend on a warm day.
• Free theater -- many colleges offer theater festivals with free performances, either in a traditional theater or even in an outdoor setting.
• Free concerts -- many cities and towns offer free outdoor concerts through the warmer spring and summer months.
• Street fairs -- vendors are around every corner so be careful, but don't skip them entirely. Lots of opportunities to people-watch and to browse.
• Dollar theaters -- take the kids to the movies -- these are often films that have been out for a while and are either already available on DVD or about to be, but there's something about watching a film larger-than-life on a big screen that just can't be beat.

I know...a lot of us don't think about it, but cleaning products...Windex, Lysol, Pine Sol, SoftScrub, Pledge, Downey...all the various potions and powders and polishes...

Yeow! Those things are among the priciest on your list -- and those things can be cut waaaaaay back on. Head for the kitchen and let's give a few things a try:

• Baking soda. Plain old baking soda -- store brand is fine. Under $1.00 in many cases and works for cleaning, polishing, cutting through grime, freshening...you can use it to scrub a bathtub or a sink...scour a coffee pot...clean the stove...scour pots and pans...you can even use it to brush your teeth. It can be used to settle an upset stomach and deodorize the fridge or the litter box or your gym shoes. You can sprinkle it on a dry carpet and then vaccuum it up to reduce odors. Talk about a million uses. And...did I mention how inexpensive it is?
• White vinegar. Okay...so it won't smell lemon-fresh, but we just talked about the wonders of baking soda, didn't we (just please don't mix them in a spray bottle). Vinegar will shine and polish...it'll clean windows and oven glass. It'll cut the grease on most anything...and why not try washing your windows with a vinegar/water solution and then, instead of paper towels, use yesterday's newspaper. Newspaper's lint-free, y'know. And you've already paid for it once, why not use it twice? It's for more than just lining the trash can or the bird cage.
• Bleach. Again...inexpensive. You can buy it by the gallon, quart, half-gallon...just about any size that's convenient...and a capful in the mop bucket cleans and sanitizes. A capful in a sink full of hot water will sanitize dish rags, sponges...anything you put in the water. Use a heavily diluted mixture to wipe down doorknobs, chair rails, countertops, toilet and faucet handles...just about any non-porous surface...to kill germs. 2 tsp of bleach to a gallon of water will generally safely sanitize. One word of caution...bleach splash can cause damage to clothes if left unnoticed and unrinsed. And avoid getting it in your eyes, etc. Read the bottle and remember...chances are your grandmother, maybe even your mother....never even heard of 'antibacterial surface cleaner'. Except, of course, for bleach.

This is a scary one and getting scarier by the day. Every time you go to the grocery store, items that you regularly buy are getting more and more and more expensive. Milk, eggs, bread, flour, sugar...things that you kept stocked up on are now giving you pause -- and panic attacks.

Breathe. It'll be okay. The prices aren't coming down yet, but with a little attention to detail and a little more flexibility, you can at least reduce the sticker-shock.

• Shop the specials. You know, the ones that are advertised as come-ons to get you into the store -- stick to 'em. Learn to use tunnel-vision and home in on those deals like your life depends on it.
• Coupons. I know...they're inconvenient and awkward and just a pain in the ass but...if you can find a store that doubles 'em AND you stick to the specials...particularly the ones that you have coupons for...you'll find yourself saving more than you ever would have imagined. Just give yourself plenty of time at the store and pay attention.
• Be flexible. So you always buy Oscar Meyer bologna. That's the ONLY one you can buy. Why? Brand XX uses pretty much the same ingredients and the same process. In fact, quite often the brand name makes the Brand XX label as well...same plant, same equipment -- different packaging and little (okay...almost no) advertising. And less money.
• Be willing to try new products. Quite often, new products will be on special with coupons available -- you can find them at half-price or even less -- and sometimes you'll find yourself pleasantly surprised.
• Shop when the sample ladies are out. I know it sounds chintzy, but wouldn't you rather spend your hard-earned money on something that you've been able to sample and that you know you like...and, more important, that you know your kids liked?
• NEVER go to the grocery store on an empty stomach. Even if it means grabbing a couple of saltines and a glass of water before you leave home, DO IT. NOTHING spends money faster than a rumbling stomach and then, three hours after you get home you'll realize that now you have to go back and shop for actual GROCERIES.
• Plan a menu and use it to make your grocery list and then....stick to it. Faithfully. Religiously. Put those blinders on and your head down and don't vary. You'll save money, won't be running back to the market mid-week, and you'll have less work preparing meals. Win-win-win.

Isn't it remarkable how fast the kids have grown? And damned if the cost of dressing them hasn't gone up at least as much as they have. Face it...this one's gonna hurt, especially if the kids are over 10. You might have to deal with tantrums and rolled eyes and declarations of life being over.

They'll get over it. Make sure they understand that if they want the name-brands and the pricey stuff, they're going to have to pay the difference or work it off. You'll be amazed at how much more compliant your little angels will become. And, if not...they are paying the difference. You can also try shopping without them -- it's amazing how much more easily they're pleased (once the initial tantrum has passed) when they're presented with something that's already been bought for them.

And:

• Try stores like Ross and Marshall's. I prefer Ross, myself -- not the greatest place to shop for shoes or men's suits but they've got a lot of just about everything else -- and the prices are very reasonable.
• Consignment stores like Plato's Closet can be life-savers for teens. Lots to choose from, reasonable prices, reasonable return policy, in-store coupons and incentives....just pack your patience because they're always packed with teens.
• Shop off-season items. Buy jackets in the late winter, buy bathing suits in the fall.
• Shop the clearance racks. Sometimes you can find gold in there if you'll just take the time to look.