This is crazy! Each time we try to cut back another bill goes up. My husband is almost to the end of unemployment with no luck. To save money we just stay home and try to conserve electricity. We also limit trips. My check doesn't cover the bills so I am trying to find a second job. I don't think our government wants us to do better. If they oppress us then they can control us and get the votes they need. This was told to me by a well educated man who said the goal of the government is to move toward socialization. Sounds like communism to me.

Our family just appreciates the basics in life. We are not to proud to shop at Aldi's and I actually enjoy second hand retail shops. Americans spend way too much $$$ trying to impress the "Jones" and keeping up with unnecessary Hi-Tech gadgets which is a big part of the bankrupt societies issues. We can't expect Our President to way a wand and make everything better overnight with out looking in the mirror and evaluating our own priorities

When you realize that this problem started longer ago then one is willing to admit you realize that the package of mac and cheese is a good thing and that one can of tuna is a life saver, when the politicians start to realize that the Middle class Americans are really fed up with the garbage that the politicians are handing out to us then maybe someting will be done, until then enjoy the box of cheap pasta, just add the can of greens to it.The politicians are still eating steak and they don't give a care about the rest of the world.

just exhausted my unemployments benifits >now what? looking for work but there is none

my huband lost his job in december, since march he's been working in southern illinois building a coal power plant. we need more jobs in the stateline high paying quality jobs.we need to get rail in rockford,not because its easier to go somewhere, but to bring people here. i would love to have our own zoo downtown near burpee and the discovery center. i also would like to suggest renovating an old manufacturing plant and creating a musuem based on our strong ties to the manufacturing industry.with hands on exhibits. make the renovating a green project and having companies like woodward,sundstrand,barbour coleman get involved just to name a few. kind of like our own science and industry. it could lure companies to rockford, create quality jobs, benefit our schools. i know money is tight, but someone came up with an idea to restore the coronado and succeeded.. we don't need anymore fast food or box stores we need sustainable quality jobs to benefit the entire stateline

we go with out any of the extra and we as close family help each other out

Saving money? I haven't been able to "save" any money in MONTHS! The last deposit I was able to make into my savings account was in July of 2008. All cutbacks I have made in my daily life has gone toward my utility bills which have DOUBLED thanks to the raise they gave themselves, and other extravagant things like my mortgage, insurance, food, gas, and medical bills!

I was looking at your gas prices. Everyone in the nation has cut back on gas useage. Combining trips not letting your car idle long, etc. But when I see price of a barrel of crude is under $40.00 and the price of gas is at or near $2.00 mark when it was at $1.50 range a couple of weeks of ago, then we will see that Oil Companies are posting large profits again. We as a nation have cut back and we are still getting gouged by the Oil Companies. Maybe we should all apply for some of that bail out money.

We are putting the left over meats from dinner in a food processor, grinding it, adding a little pickle relish and mayo then using it as a sandwich spread for bag lunches the next day. It is a nice change and a great way to let a little leftover meat go a long way.

When you have your monthly utility bills automatically deducted from your checking or savings or whatever account, don't send along an envelope etc. when you don;t need it. Just send a hard copy of the statement if requested, nothing else. You could do it online and save all of the paperwork and time.

I have just about completely stopped going to McDonald's as even the dollar McChicken and 58 cent senior coffee can add up and I stopped my subscription to the Register as the newspaper copies were piling up and I was not reading it daily. I am really gald the gas is down so that I can keep my tank filled during the cold to avoid any possibility of gas tank or gas line frreeze and I cleaned out my garage enough to pull the car in each night which will save some wear and tear on the car. One idea by angie of making a list and going only once a week to grocery store is good as we live off of West State St and it is a drive to get to Hilander or Woodman's as only over priced "corner stores" are on West State One good thing I did in 08 was to open an account at Blackhawk Bank which was paying 5.01% on checking with no minimum required. I am going to find out when in 09 to dispute property tax bill as we pay $200 a month in RE taxes and houses on West Side don't sell.

people on social security this year,got a rate increase of about 5.8 instead of the the 3's like before. so im going to put the extra 2.8in a savings account as if i didnt get extra this year.i should have a little extra. although living on S.S. is hard enough.its worth a try....

turn the lights off! eat your leftovers! cut your shower time by 3 minutes, make a list of things you need and then go make one trip for all of it once a week or so. Buy big packages of meat and split it up. don't mow or snowblow or water unless absolutely necessary.