I agree that it's important to keep a check on spending, but at the same time, don't deprive yourself of the luxuries, especially if you're working hard to earn it!

Oh, and reuse shopping bags as trash bags 🙂

Michelle, I want an iPhone only because they're cool, not because I'd actually use it. (I don't like the width of them.) I want a new laptop – same reason. I want a SLR camera – just because. I want to redecorate this study (that's more for my own sanity – beige walls are SO depressing!).

I'm saving up for a vaca/work trip.

The good news is the work is trickling in again. Four projects in the pipeline – none signed on, but one definite and three other strong possibilities. But of course the money for those comes in probably late August/early September. Hence a frugal summer.

Oh well – I enjoy homemade sangrias much more than a $9 margarita.

But I really want a netbook and a new digital camera and a Kindle. 🙂

Like Diane, I have somewhat steady income from proofing, editing and writing copy for an ad agency who produce a magazine. The magazine keeps getting smaller, the ads fewer, and my invoices less. I'm trying to (subtly) persuade the owner to have more of a web presence – for her sake and mine!

Gabriella, that sounds like a sensible health plan. The goal is to get coverage for major medical. The out-of-pocket stuff is still crippling, but the big, unexpected stuff could bury a family in bills for decades.

I've joined the local library (I moved to this part of the world 5 years ago, so wasn't a member anywhere yet) and that will be the biggie. My personal reference library is a million times better than any I would find in a public library, but I have to get over my stupid new book fetish and make do with used books for a while.

I'm lucky, my day job is as editor, but in the current economic climate I can't help thinking the company magazine might be the next thing to go …

I also just switched my T-Mobile package from an unlimited call and text service that was $119 a month to an unlimited call plan for $60 a month. I debated that one, thinking there was a big catch because T-Mobile called me to offer the switch. The catch was that I get no free texting, but I never text anybody, anyway.

I also use a Chicago public pool every morning, and it costs $15-$20 per quarter. Talk about health club savings!

Devon, I'm not as bold as you in going without health insurance. But my policy has a $5,000 deductible, which means I won't lose everything if I have a catastrophic event. I pay about $260 per month for the coverage, and then I pay for basic things like an annual mammogram and other tests on my own.

When I lost my job six years ago, I dropped my cable bill from $95 a month to $30. I removed all extras from my phone service – another savings. I stopped going out to eat and I made one trip a week to the store instead of several. I dumped the newspaper delivery and put my student loan on deferment for six months.

I had $30 in my wallet the day I lost my job. Two weeks later I had $42 (I returned a purchase I'd made the day before). I just didn't spend. I'm in that mode right now. I had to buy groceries this time around (we take turns paying). Lots of fresh veggies and staples. I love to cook from scratch anyway, so we're not going to notice that change!

I do not get manicures or anything, but I stopped getting highlights last year and grew them out. I'm hoping to teach my husband to trim my hair, but I haven't actually gone through with that one yet.

I cut out going to the movies and going out to eat, but I don't have too much wiggle room for budget reduction. That's the most frustrating thing of all!