Our economy floundered.

The $700 billion (plus $100 billion) bailout bill has been passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and signed by the President. What does it all mean? That depends on which expert you listen to. What it means to me is that we must find even more ways to economize because that bailout money has to come from the government. And we, the everyday citizen, are the government. The money will come from us.
I plan to organize my household goods so that I avoid purchasing duplicates and triplicates of certain items unnecessarily. I won’t purchase anything in large quantities that will spoil or not be used within a reasonable amount of time. When there is a good sale on non-perishable items such as facial tissue, I will purchase in bulk.
Sometimes it is difficult for me to plan meals ahead of time so that I purchase only what is needed before the next shopping trip. I often change my mind about what I am in the mood to eat. My husband is easier to feed. Whatever I cook, he will eat.
My husband and I sometimes prefer to eat out; however, we may have to do that less often in this crazy economy. Eating out while vacationing can be a problem because the cost of eating out has escalated. We try to have the heavier meal in the afternoon because it is cheaper and healthier. We may try ordering soup and salad and share one entrée which saves even more. And we rarely order drinks with meals. Water is free.
Budgeting is my focus. We are both retired and living on a fixed income like many retirees and things are getting tighter. But with good planning we will make it.