Maybe I’ve become too frugal since I started focusing on clearing my debt, but there are two everyday items whose prices routinely irritate me: books and greeting cards.

So, naturally, I’ve found ways to pay less for them!

Saving Money on Greeting Cards

Am I the only one who thinks $3.50 is too much for a folded sheet of paper that says “Happy Birthday?” I hope not. Luckily, there are readily available alternatives:

• Multi-packs: If you’re not looking to go off the beaten path, consider buying a pack of blank cards. Most come in packs of eight and cost between three and four dollars – that’s 50 cents or less per card. These are great if you like writing personalized messages.
• Thrift stores: I’ve found new, all-occasion greeting cards for 63 cents each at my local Goodwill, and for 10 cents each (15 for a dollar!) at an independent second-hand store. I like to stock up, especially on birthday cards – that way, I’m always prepared when someone’s special day catches me off guard.
• Craft it up: News flash: cutting and pasting is not just for kindergarteners anymore. In fact, piecing together your own cards lets you really personalize them – I like to decorate with photos, old movie stubs, funny quotes and other memorabilia that’s meaningful to the person I’m giving the card to.

Saving Money on Books

I’m a book junkie. And, as much as I love browsing Barnes & Noble and drinking in that new-book smell, I can’t quite justify paying $15.00 for a paperback. So what do I do instead?

• Libraries: This is the obvious solution. Get a card and read all you want for nada. It works great. Unless (like me) you love seeing the books you’ve already read on your shelves – just in case you want to take a second look. If that’s the case, consider…
• Used book stores: These can vary widely in prices – I’ve seen discounts from the mundane to the magnificent. Your best bet? Look up used book vendors near you and comparison shop or read customer reviews. Many shops have regular sales to clear out old merchandise and make room for new stuff.
• Swap meets: Thanks to the recession, these are all the rage these days. And, if you’re like most Americans and you have some items you could stand to part with, these could yield excellent results. Do a Web search for opportunities near you.
• The digi-book: Okay, I’ll admit it: I haven’t yet succumbed to the Kindle, Amazon’s electronic book machine. But, with competition on its heels and popularity on the rise, the already-reduced e-book prices may tempt me to go over to the dark side … maybe.

Don’t let your debt get the best of you! And if you truly need debt help, be sure to explore all of your options, including filing bankruptcy.

Savvy consumers may have already realized that one upside of the recession is that the prices on many big-ticket consumer items are being slashed.

This is good news if you’re in the market for major purchases. Here are a couple deals you should know about:

Sears’ Job Loss Refund Promise

Sears has announced a Buyer Protection Program (effective from July 6 – August 1) that basically serves as insurance against job loss. It works like this:

• To qualify for the program, a buyer must have a full-time job for at least 60 days before the purchase of the appliance.
• Any household appliance costing more than $399 and purchased on a Sears credit card, online or in-store, is eligible.
• If the purchaser involuntarily loses his job after buying the appliance, he will have 1/12 of the purchase price credited to his account for each month of unemployment.
• After 12 months of unemployment, the any remaining amount of the purchase price will be credited.

If you need a new household appliance, now is the time to buy.

Hyundai’s $1.49 Gas Guarantee

Car dealers have been among those cutting prices most significantly since the recession hit.

Hyundai is now offering a tempting deal for those in need of a new vehicle – the guarantee that you will pay no more than $1.49 per gallon for gas for a year. It works like this:

To qualify for the program, you must buy or lease a new Hyundai by August 31, 2009.

• At the time of purchase, you register your credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Visa or MasterCard check card) at a Web site designed for this purchase.
• You get an Assurance branded card from Hyundai and use it whenever you buy gasoline. Your credit card account is billed only $1.49 per gallon you buy.
• You can opt to purchase mid-grade fuel for $1.64 a gallon or premium for $1.79 a gallon.

If you’re already in the market for a car, this could sweeten the deal. But remember that car deals abound right now, so be sure to research other offers before you buy!

Just remember, even good deals cost money. And if you spend more than you make you could find yourself needing the help of a bankruptcy lawyer.

Any bargaineer appreciates finding a new way to save some money, which is why I was so excited to hear about the growing trend called “transumerism.”

Apparently, as we Americans respond to pinched credit and lower incomes, we’re taking borrowing to a whole new level, becoming transumers (transient consumers) rather than accumulators.

Transportation: Cars & Bikes

You may already know abut ZipCar and other companies that allow members to use vehicles when and where they want them; now some areas have similar programs for bikes.

• How it works: Use an Internet search engine (or ask local friends) to find vehicle-sharing programs near you. Costs will likely depend on how often you plan to use the equipment.
• Who it works for: People who need a car or bike for occasional trips can benefit from sharing programs to avoid purchasing, maintenance and storage costs.

The Finer Things

This blog post reports that many high-end consumers are renting luxury merchandise like second homes, fancy cars and other items that aren’t in my price range.

But some of the finer things in life – like fashion accessories – are now within the average consumer’s reach, thanks to sharing programs.

• What’s available: Online, you can rent designer handbags, gowns and jewelry – perfect for that once-in-a-while black tie event you must attend.
• Who it works for: People who need fancy clothes only occasionally or who get tired of accessories quickly may be able to save serious money without sacrificing personal style (always a plus).

At the Airport

Airports are crammed with tempting items to buy (food, clothing, gadgets…) And flying usually means spending an hour or so in the terminal while we wait for our flights to board – a dangerous combination for those looking to pinch pennies.

But now there are cheaper options available for those of us who like to browse before we fly.

• What you can get: Airports offer a variety of rental opportunities (beyond the obvious cars). Some places allow you to rent technology gear (like noise-cancelling headphones) and drop them off at your destination. Others offer one-day gym memberships for travelers looking to break a sweat.
• Who it works for: If you don’t travel often enough to justify an investment in travel-friendly technology, renting may be the way to go.

What’s Better than Renting? … Getting Stuff Free!

I saved the best for last: one growing trend for those looking to save both money and the environment is exchanging your old stuff with people who want it – known as swapping, trading and “freecycling.”

The Web site freecycle.org allows you to join a network in your area of people who have stuff they can no longer use.

Jewlery, bikes, books, musical instrument… the list goes on and on.

Whoever needs it can have it – for free.

Then, when you find items you’re ready to part with, you can post them on the site – and avoid clogging the landfill!

An all-around triumph, as far as I’m concerned.

If it’s too late for freebies to help your financial situation, you may be in need of serious debt relief. Learn more about how filing bankrutcy may help.

Anybody else a little bit stressed out about their finances? Their jobs? The economy?

You know what? I think we could use a drink.

“Alas!” you may be saying. “I cannot even afford to drink!” But that’s not necessarily true.

By changing a few ingredients – or laying off them entirely – you can still have something that’s pretty close to the original. At the very least, these are fun drinks to try when you need a cheap night in.

And since you’re drinking in – instead of out at some expensive bar – you may even be able to afford to buy a round for your friends in your home.

10 Economically Depressed Cocktails for Economically Depressed Times

1. The Laid Off Raspberry Lemonade. Take your unemployment check to the store. Purchase 1 bottle of lemonade. 1 bottle of raspberry vodka. Combine and serve over ice at a point in the day when you would normally be at work.
2. The Broke American. You can’t afford the cream, so instead of a White Russian just have a Broke American. Combine three parts vodka with two parts Kahlua, a very affordable liquor. Pour over ice into an empty savings account.
3. The Meager Earnings Mojito. Garnishes and fruits can be expensive. So why not grow your own? Mint plants are hardy and reproduce quickly. So this recipe uses homegrown mint and clear rum, which is one of the most affordable liquors you can buy. To make one: Place a couple of mint leaves in the bottom of a glass with a couple spoonfuls of sugar, a few squirts of lime juice and your concerns about making ends meet. Muddle this together. Add three ounces light rum, ice and a splash of Sprite or tonic water (whichever is cheaper) and enjoy.
4. The Manhattan Foreclosure. If the bank took your home, your maraschino cherries and your bitters, this is what you’d have. Mix 2.5 ounces of bourbon with .75 ounces of sweet vermouth. Serve with foreclosure note as cocktail napkin.
5. The Economic Perfect Storm. It takes just the right ingredients for this to happen. For best results, call some friends, because, just like the economy, this punch will affect everyone. First: Go shopping. Hit up the sales, specials and coupons. Grab some on-sale fruit juice, some affordable, in-season fruit and some liquor on special. Combine all in a large pitcher or tub or jug or whatever. Mix up with ice and serve in mason jars.
6. The Sub-Prime Margarita. This isn’t worth as much as a regular margarita. Take a can of frozen limeade and add tequila to taste. Serve with salted glass rim. Be aware: One too many more than the real estate bubble will be bursting.
7. The Roth IRA (Individually Relaxing Alcohol). Your real Roth IRA may be gone, but you can build a new one in just a few weeks. Cheap vodka can be bad, so kick it up with a little homegrown fruit. Simply add your favorite fruit to any vodka. Seal and let sit in a dark, cool area for one or two weeks. Then, you’ve got your own trendy, flavored vodka. Mix with tonic water. Serve over ice, garnish with a wedge of your portfolio’s former wealth.
8. The Bankruptcy Bomb: Hits hard, but is quick and effective. Pour 8 ounces of Pabst Blue Ribbon into a large glass. Pour 1 shot of dark rum. Drop the shot into the glass, drink quickly. Filing bankruptcy never tasted so good.
9. The Stimulus Plan Sangria: Here’s a stimulus plan to get you back on your feet. Great for parties or other shovel-ready projects. There are many varieties of sangria and you can adjust the fruits and type of wine to suit your tastes and occasions. But, a general recipe guide would include: 1 bottle of cheap wine, a few splashes of fruit juice, plenty of sliced fruit and berries, ½ cup of sugar, sparkling water and 4 cups Sprite or ginger ale. Add some citrus to a sparkling white wine or throw in some berries for a dark red sangria.
10. The Total Economic Collapse: Kool-Aid, Pure Grain Alcohol, rotten fruit. On second thought, maybe this one should be avoided.

Just because the big banks and investors were irresponsible with the economy doesn’t mean you have to be when drinking. Show them what you’re made of and drink responsibly.

Bottoms up for not bottoming out!

Here’s some good news if you’re dreading the bills from buying your kids the gear and gadgets they need for the school year: 15 states and the District of Columbia are offering sales tax holidays at the end of the summer.

Some of the tax holidays begin as early as July 30, so be sure to find out how you might benefit.

Here’s an alphabetical listing of tax-exempt items in participating states:

Alabama

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: single items less than $100 (no accessories or protective recreational equipment)
• Computers: single purchases of $750 or less of computers, software and school computer equipment
• Supplies: items worth less than $50 each, including school supplies, art materials and instructional materials
• Books: noncommercial purchases of books worth less than $30

Connecticut

(August 16 – 22)

• Clothing: clothes and footwear less than $300 (excluding accessories and protective athletic clothes)

Washington, D.C.

(August 1 – 9  & November 27 – December 6)

• Clothing: clothes, footwear and accessories costing less than $100 each
• Supplies: school supplies less than $100 per item

Georgia

(July 30 – August 2)

• Clothing: clothes and footwear less than $100 each
• Supplies: items less than $20 each
• Computers: personal computers and accessories up to $1,500

Iowa

(August 7 – 8 )

• Clothing: clothes and footwear less than $100 each (excludes accessories, protective athletic clothing and rentals)

Louisiana

(August 7 – 8 )

• Up to $2,500 of non-commercial purchases of tangible goods (excluding vehicles and meals) is exempt from state taxes
• BUT local taxes may still be charged

Mississippi

(July 31 – August 1)

• Clothing: Clothes and footwear worth up to $100 each (excludes accessories, rentals and athletic gear)

Missouri

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes up to $100 per item (excludes accessories)
• Supplies: school supplies up to $50 per item
• Computers: software worth up to $350, computers and accessories worth up to $3,500
• BUT Local taxes may still apply

New Mexico

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes and shoes worth up to $100 per item (excludes accessories and athletic gear)
• School supplies
• Computers: computers worth up to $1,000, accessories worth up to $500
• BUT Retailers are not required to participate

North Carolina

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes and footwear worth up to $100 per item (excludes accessories)
• Supplies: school supplies worth up to $100 per item, instructional materials worth up to $300 each
• Computers: machines worth up to $3,500, accessories worth up to $250 each
• Equipment: sports and recreational equipment up to $50 each (excludes protective athletic gear)

Oklahoma

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes and shoes worth up to $100 each (excludes accessories)

South Carolina

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes, accessories and footwear
• Supplies: School supplies
• Computers: computers, printers, software, printer supplies
• Home: bed linens, bath towels, rugs, shower curtains and pillows

Tennessee

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes worth up to $100 each (excludes accessories)
• Supplies: school supplies worth up to $100 each
• Computers: machines worth up to $1,500 each

Texas

(August 21 – 23)

• Clothing: Clothes and shoes worth up to $100 each (excludes accessories and protective athletic gear)

Vermont

(August 22 & March 6, 2010)

• Tangible items sold to individuals for personal use with prices up to $2,000

Virginia

(August 7 – 9)

• Clothing: clothes and shoes worth up to $100 each
• Supplies: school supplies worth up to $20 each

If your expenses are out of line with your income, and you find yourself deep in debt, you may want to look into how filing bankruptcy may be able to help.

I knew cigarettes were getting expensive, but this is ridiculous.

It seems a New Hampshire man stopped to pick up a pack of cigarettes and his credit card was charged $23 quadrillion dollars. That’s right, quadrillion dollars.

The exact charge: $23,148,855,308,184,500.

To top it all off, Bank of America charged him a $15 overdraft fee.

Credit card companies, huh? In what is clearly a banking error, they’re still trying to squeeze you for every penny. The man who suffered the erroneous charge spent five hours on the phone with the bank and Visa to get the problem cleared up, reports the Associated Press.

This is yet another example of how credit card companies can make your life difficult at every turn.

If you can’t handle your credit card debt anymore, filing bankruptcy may be able to help.

Hey, we all could use some extra money–especially in this economy.

I’ve whipped up 30 ideas that might help put some cash in your pocket.

Be sure to add your money-making ideas in the comments.

1. Dog walk. Want to make a little extra cash and get exercise at the same time? Advertise your dog walking abilities around the neighborhood and you will be sure to find some takers.
2. Babysit. Get paid to act like a kid again! Post your availability and contact information at local schools, park district buildings, community centers, and places generally frequented by kids and their parents.
3. Pamper plants. Offer your services to elderly neighbors or frequent travelers that you know of. Not everyone has the time or energy to maintain the greenery of their properties, and you can take advantage of this.
4. Tutor. Feel you are strong in a certain subject? Capitalize on your academic strengths and offer yourself up as a tutor. Both freelance tutoring and part time work at tutoring centers are available options.
5. Teach a language/translate. Come from a bilingual family? Minor in a second language in college? Whichever is your case, use your linguistics knowledge to help out others. Advertise yourself online and set your own rates and schedules.
6. Pet sit. Not everyone going out of town wants to put their pet in a kennel. Use this fact to your benefit and offer up your house and services within your neighborhood and beyond. Super easy and cheap because the pet owner will generally provide all of the necessary supplies.
7. Commercialize your blog. Start putting ads up and requesting donations for your blog and watch your site slowly start to generate income. Try using Google Adsense for help.
8. Write reviews. Offer your freelance writing services to local newspapers, magazines, blogs, and websites. Set your price and state your opinions in this creative and highly personal way to make money.
9. Have a car wash. Sometimes the best ways to make extra cash are the most traditional and cliché. Dirty cars run rampant in the streets, so pick a high traffic area and have the bucket, soap, and water ready.
10. Drive people to the airport. Set your price slightly lower than a local cab service and make your services known to people without vehicle access. Get necessary licenses if required in your area of residence.
11. Collect aluminum cans. Depending on where you live, the going rate for aluminum generally runs between 25 and 90 cents per pound. If you are willing to get your hands a little dirty, this is a perfect, guaranteed way to cash in.
12. Sell your stuff. Try Craigslist or ebay. Sift through old junk and put it up for sale online. Craigslist and eBay are two of the most popular sites for online consumer junkies.
13. Have a garage sale. There is no better feeling than watching your stuff get sold in front of you. Cash in hand, money in the bank with this one. Try collaborating with friends and their junk to generate higher attendance
14. Rent out a room. Have extra space or a spare room in your home? Advertise it online and around your neighborhood to find someone in need of a place to stay.
15. Sell baked goods. Use your baking skills whilst eating massive amounts of cookie dough in preparation for a bake sale. Ask friends to participate and enjoy the benefits of your work in the kitchen.
16. Get a paper route. You don’t have to be Beaver Cleaver to have a paper route. Visit your local Newsagents and ask if they can give you a paper route. Great way to combine exercise with a money making opportunity.
17. Pour drinks. Make hundreds per night working nights and weekends as a bartender. Find a bar where little experience is necessary, and skip the overpriced bartending schools.
18. Do freelance writing/editing work. There are many freelance writing and editing opportunities available. Also, if writing is your thing, offer to hold writing seminars in your home for those looking to improve their skills.
19. Take online surveys. Making money from your home is as easy as clicking your mouse. Countless online surveys are available for the taking. Visit sites like http://freepaidsurveys.net to get started.
20. Sell digital photos to stock agencies. You don’t have to be Annie Leibovitz to make money for your photography. There are plenty of stock photo agencies that will pay to use your photos online.
21. Sell plasma. You can make quick cash as often as twice a week by selling your plasma. Check the Yellow Pages or a nearby college campus for the closest collection center, and plan to spend a few hours at the center the first time you go. Expect to earn up to $35 each time you go.
22. Plan parties. Start an event planning service in your spare time. Advertise yourself via the internet, word of mouth, local newspapers, etc. All it takes is one great event to start to generate a client base.
23. Serve. Become a server for a catering company. Use your weekends to work as a server for a catering company.
24. Clean places. If you are a neat freak and often use cleaning as a way to de-stress, this would be a perfect money-maker for you. Clean local office buildings and homes for some extra cash on nights and weekends.
25. Be a handyman. Got skillz? Be a Mr. Fixit and use your handyman repertoire to your financial advantage. Make your skills known and spread your client base.
26. Become a professional shopper. Assist the time-pressed and unorganized in their shopping agendas. Offer to take lists to the store and do the pricing, purchasing and delivering, all while making money yourself.
27. Write articles. Make extra cash writing articles for a local newspaper. Keep on top of current events and be ready with feature article ideas to get paid by local publications for your freelance entries. Definitely a great way to channel your creativity and make money for it!
28. Consign your clothes. Your trash might be another person’s treasure. As unlikely as it might seem, this also applies to the clothes in your closet. Sift through and gather items to bring to a local clothes consignment store.
29. Sell products on your blog. If your blog is not generating a lot of income through ads and donations, try selling products on it too. While most will not react positively if they feel your blog is simply a sales tool, there are ways to subtly advertise products while maintaining trust, integrity, and genuine engagement with your followers. Try linking a product through an earnest question about a service they might need.
30. Shovel walks. Snow is synonymous with winter in the Midwest and many take advantage of this. Bundle up and get out your shovel, because there are always elderly neighbors unable to do it themselves.

If you still can’t make ends meet, you may need the protection of Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

Between news shows, sale signs in shops and conversations with family and friends, I’ve heard so much about the current recession that I’m beginning to be desensitized to it.

But, the economic downturn won’t be around forever (thank goodness!)—and that means you should make sure you take advantage of it while it lasts.

Time to Part with Your Savings?

Although you definitely shouldn’t blow your nest egg on recession bargains for useless stuff, you may want to consider what kinds of major purchases you plan on making in the next few years.

If you play your cards right, you may want to make them now.

Home Improvement Items

• Furniture: Because fewer people are buying homes and the accessories that come with them, furniture prices have seen a decline in recent months – according to the Consumer Price Index, they’ve dipped 2.4 percent. But, thanks to slow traffic in stores, many retailers are offering even lower prices and are willing to bargain.

• Renovations: Similarly, many contractors and builders have seen demand for work plummet since the end of the housing boom. If you’re thinking about an addition or improvement to your home, now may be the time to get some estimates – companies may bid the price lower than they would during a busy time.

• Technology Upgrades: Prices on electronics like flat-screen televisions have reportedly dropped as much as nine percent since a year ago, but make sure you know the total cost if you plan to invest in a new TV – some of the fancier styles guzzle energy and may end up costing more than you expected in electricity bills.

Big Items

• A House: If you’re planning on buying a house soon, seriously consider purchasing one now. Between the stimulus bill’s $8,000 credit for first-time homebuyers, prices down by a quarter from three years ago and unusually low interest rates for 30-year, fixed rate mortgages (hovering around five percent), you may never get a better deal on a house than you will in the next few months.

• A Car: Demand for automobiles has dropped by a third in the last eight months, which mean that dealers have vehicles on their lots that are taking up space and possibly costing them money to hang on to. Dealer incentives are excellent and sellers are ready to bargain – buyers definitely have the upper hand. Plus, if the Cash for Clunkers bill passes into law, you could receive government money for buying an eco-friendly vehicle.

Clothing Deals

Hit any second-hand store and it’s likely to be hopping.

That’s because some people are looking for bargain prices on clothing and others are looking to get some cash in exchange for their gently worn garments.

In short: conditions are perfect to find real gems when shopping second-hand.

If you’re still struggling with recession debt and need help regaining control of your finances, then perhaps filing bankruptcy could offer you a fresh start.

As if the current state of the world’s economic and social affairs is not enough to produce anxiety filled, sleepless nights there is still the constant fear of the Swine Flu.

I’m taking a break from my typical posts and turning attention on the Swine flu–mostly because I don’t think the media are doing anything about it.

Otherwise known as the H1N1 Swine Flu (Influenza A Novel) Virus, the fear of this viral infection is embedded in the minds of most Americans.

But the media have turned their heads to “bigger news items” and ignored the growing numbers of infected people.

Although Not a Trendy News Topic Anymore, Swine Flu is Still Here

The truth is that the Swine Flu is still very much present. In fact, it may be stronger than when the media frenzied over the bug a few months ago.

It has even hit one of my Chicago coworkers and his family. He just go out of the hospital a couple days ago.

Here’s how he described it to me:

“Have you ever tried typing on a computer and looking at the screen while someone is poking you in your temples with a hot stick? All while a train is steaming past your ears and a piano is on your chest? You have? Well then you understand what the recovery from Swine Flu is like.”

Swine Flu Alerts

The WHO (World Health Organization) has issued the following alert:

“The World Health Organization pandemic alert level is Phase 6.The Phase 6 alert is the highest level of the WHO pandemic phases and has not been declared since 1968.

According to the WHO pandemic response guidelines, Phase 6 confirms that there is human-to-human spread of the H1N1 (swine flu) virus in at least two countries in two different world regions.

This classification means that a worldwide pandemic is imminent and that countries must finalize preparations to deal with the H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak.”

The lack of reporting by the media has lulled the general public into a false sense of resilience to the recent outbreak.

The problem in this false conditioning is that the Swine Flu is still very much in play throughout the country and the world for that matter.

Take for instance, the most recent reporting cycle by the CDC (Center for Disease Control):

“During the time period of June 28-July 4, 2009, the influenza activity in the United States was in a decline, normally this would be good news, however there were still higher levels of influenza-like illness than is normal for this time of year.”

What makes this an even more speculative report is that of all the reported cases over 97% of all influenza A viruses were the novel influenza A (H1N1) viruses.

To further increase the tensions surrounding the Swine Flu, the CDC’s Web site reports that:

“As of July 10, 2009, there were 37,246 confirmed and probable infections with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus and 211 deaths:

• 6 deaths in individuals 0-4 years
• 34 deaths in individuals 5-24 years
• 87 deaths in adults 25-49 years
• 50 deaths in adults 50-64 years
• 19 deaths in adults age 65 and older and 15 deaths with unknown age)

All cases being identified by CDC and state and local public health departments.”

Seemingly, the pandemic the world is currently in, that of the Swine Flu, is far from over.

The questions will inevitable soon turn to culpability in dealing with this matter.

Can You Sue for Swine Flu?

Who is at fault? Who should be held accountable? Can anyone be held accountable for individual accounts of Swine Flu?

With the progression of time, these questions will find their answers.

However, it only seems logical that personal injury will not be an associated legal challenge within the Swine Flu corridor.

On the other hand, if it does come to light that an organization- whether public or private- aided in the spread of, or increased susceptibility to, the H1N1 virus then there will ostensibly be a cause for litigation.

No matter the legal state of affairs as they pertain to a virus outbreak and pandemic status, new ground is sure to be broken with the Swine Flu.

Pharmaceutical companies, such as those that make and distribute the two common meds (TamiFlu & Relenza), are certainly breeding their legal council for the presumed battles which are potentially brewing and will percolate the seems of legal proceedings for many years to come.

If preventive measures are available, you may want to take advantage of them. The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” could prove true when it comes time to pay your medical bills. If you’re struggling with medical bills, learn more about how filing bankruptcy may help you get out of debt.

As you may have noticed, the current recession has led to an abundance of frugality tips and suggestions – just the kind of lifestyle adaptations that are useful for people rebuilding credit after bankruptcy or other serious financial situations.

One such recession-inspired frugality story was done by National Public Radio. Called “How Low Can You Go,” it was an online and on-air challenge that encouraged listeners to submit family dinner recipes (to feed at least four people) that cost less than $10.00.

Currently, more than 300 people have posted recipes as comments on the Web site.

Some of the most commonly used ingredients:

• Canned beans: Slightly more expensive than dried beans, these are much easier and quicker to prepare. Plus, they’re filling and versatile and can be used whole, mashed, fried, etc.
• Rice: Cheap, filling and healthy – what more can you ask for in a food? Rice can also be bought in bulk if your family eats it often, which often translates to a cheaper per-ounce cost.
• Fresh vegetables: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, onions, broccoli and more work well in a variety of recipes and are generally inexpensive.
• Canned/frozen vegetables: These tend to work well when fresh vegetables are out of season and more expensive. Plus, they keep longer so you can take advantage of sales and coupons to stock up.
• Spices and herbs: These are essential for cheap cooking – a couple shakes from the right bottle can add pizzazz to otherwise plain dishes. Even if you feel like you can only afford the basics, spices and herbs can help make them taste exotic.
• Eggs: Boil, fry, scramble, poach – and all for a low price! Eggs are an inexpensive and easy way to add a kick of protein to a dish.
• Lentils: These legumes are less familiar in the U.S. than some of the other ingredients on this list, but they cook similarly to rice and have a richer flavor – plus they’re filling and wildly inexpensive.
• Pasta: This old standby comes up again and again in the recipes offered – and understandably. It’s easy to prepare, delicious, cheap and filling.

Other Suggestions for Eating Frugally?

If you have a favorite recipe or a go-to ingredient you use when you’re trying to cook a great meal on a budget, feel free to comment on this post with your winning suggestions!

I Just Have to Say…

This post seriously cracked me up: What is the Stupidest Thing You’ve Done to Save? Check it out!

The Bargain Babe is an awesome blog!

These tasty savings can help you save big bucks. But if you’re already struggling with your finances and are drowning in debt, maybe it’s time to take action and consider filing bankruptcy.