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Trying to Make Ends Meet

Here are five ways families can stretch their dollars to the end of the month.

1. Make What You Have Go a Long Way
   Clip and use coupons, shop sales, buy in bulk, compare price and quality, use shopping lists, ask for needed items as gifts, resist buying nonessentials, shop second-hand stores.
2. Make Connections
   Rely on family, friends, and community resources for transportation, free baby-sitting, information, hand-me-down clothing, trading skills.
3. Think Ahead
   Plan for the expected - such as bills, birthday gifts, school expenses.
4. Make Careful Choices
   Do without things that others may take for granted - a car, phone, snacks, a warm apartment. “Have you ever had to say ‘No’ to your five-year-old who wants a piece of cheese out of the fridge because it’s needed for the next meal?” (Mom of three kids, ages 5, 9, and 10.)
5. Find Extra Cash and Ways to Provide the Basics
   “This year for Christmas I put a whole bunch of coupons in an envelope - things like toothpaste, tampons, toothbrushes, cleaning stuff - all of the basics that food stamps won’t buy. I gave it to my mom and said ‘This is what I want for Christmas - as many of these things as you are willing to get.’ It was enough to hold me for four to six months and made a big difference.” (Mom of a three-year-old.)
   Apply for tax credits such as the Earned Income Credit or Working Family Credit. Call 1-800-937-5437 for more information.