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Right now, money or the lack of it, is a matter of concern for many of us. As the world economy bites into the lives and job security of people around the globe, we are all more aware of the value of what we have, thinking of ways to conserve any little bit of necessary funds we possess. So any ways to save money, while still managing to pay for life's necessities, must be considered and used. The following suggestions may go some way to help in saving money, without living a totally miserable, penny-pinching existence. I hope so.

1. SPEND MONEY: Yes, by this I mean real money, not plastic, not cheques, but bills and coins. When you intend to shop for groceries, or buy new shoes for the children, do so with real, in-your-hand, concrete money. Draw out enough for the week, or for the special purchases, put it in your wallet and count it. Match what you have against the cost of what you need to buy, and do not exceed the decided amount. Real money allows you to keep track of spending.

2. DRAW UP A WEEKLY BUDGET: Sit down and list all you need to spend, and on what you spend it, each week. Be totally honest, be wise to those items you buy as a matter of routine, and not necesssity. For example, if you always buy four big cans of beans and four of tuna, yet only ever use three of each, ask yourself how many you already have in the cupboard, and do I need more this week? Apply that rule to your weekly purchases and cut down, thus either sticking within the budget or cutting it.

3. USE LESS ENERGY: Turn down the thermostat by one notch, close the curtains when night falls, keep doors closed, use draft excluders and only switch on necessary lights. When cooking, make large batches of food and freeze. I am thinking here of stews, pies, cakes, soups and sauces. You will be saving energy, fuel bills, time, and if you use vegetables and fruits in their plentiful seasons, cutting down on food bills. The more you make from scratch, the more diligent you are with heating and lighting, the more money you can save, without too much deprivation.

4. THINK OF CAR SHARING: If you drive to work, or take the children to school by car, consider getting together with friends, colleagues and neighbors and arrange a car pool rota. This way, everybody saves energy, gas and vehicle wear and tear. If you have to travel by car, save gas by using the throttle lightly and remembering "fifty is thrifty." Do not gun the engine when stuck in traffic or in low gear; this wastes gas. Brake gently

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