by Victoria Hunter

Created on: November 19, 2009

It's a recession, folks, and many of us are short on cash. Remember the old song "Too much month at the end of the money?" It's the story of a lot of people's lives right now. But there are ways to cut back until things get easier. You have most likely seen a lot of these tips, but maybe not all.

Here's the usual: stop eating out, make your own coffee, buy in bulk and brown bag it at work a couple of times a week. All good tips, indeed. But, how about getting a smidge more real? If you are short on cash, and you have a family to feed, it's time to man up (or woman up) and submit to a little pain.

Telephone service. If you are single, and have a land-line, get rid of it. Cricket and Metro PCS have flat-rate, unlimited talk-time phone plans, including long distance, for around $45.00 a month. If there is more than one person in the home, get rid of the cell phones and keep the landline. It works out to be a lot less expensive and, really, do you honestly need to be contacted at any time, no matter where you are? Up until 10 years or so ago, nobody had cell phones and people were able to conduct business and personal lives just fine. Remember, it's only temporary.

Cable/Satellite television. What a money-eater this is. There is nothing on television that you will die without seeing. There is nothing on television that is worth more than your financial peace of mind at this moment. Pull the plug. If you use the t.v. as a babysitter, first of all, shame on you. You can rent movies at the red kiosk at the market for 99 cents. Rent a bunch for the kids and yourself if you feel you have to be glued to the tube every night. Better yet, go to the library and check out some books. Reading is better for your children than t.v. and, if the truth be known, it's better for you too. If you simply must have t.v., get an antenna and you will get digital channels for free. Or, watch your favorite shows online.

Turn off the lights. Yes, this is age-old advice, but how often do you walk around your house at night, turning on lights and then neglecting to turn them off when you leave the room? Do you really like paying the electric company instead of eating? Turn off the lights in all rooms but the one you are using. Train the kids to do the same.

If you don't need it, don't buy it. Nuf said.

Those are just some ways to save on monthly bills. If you need instant cash, there are ways of doing that as well.

Craigslist: This is one place that you can find a buyer for almost anything you have

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