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**5 SERIOUS Ways to Cut Personal Spending**

by Suzann Kale

Until we know what's happening with this current global financial crisis, we can't take anything for granted. Things we're used to doing and buying may have to change. Here are some. You might could (Texas verb tense) add some more of your own.

1. Call a moratorium on clothes shopping for everyone in the family who's stopped growing.

2. Transportation. If you drive, consider carpooling. If your city has a good public transportation system, switch from driving to the bus or subway.

3. Stop buying non-food "food" items. Neither you nor your family needs to eat or drink anything that does not have nutritional value. Just forget about soda, cut personal spending fat-based fast food, non-nutritive desserts, alcohol, and empty-calorie snacks.

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4. A dinner of rice and beans is a healthy, filling meal. It's time to cut back on (or cut out) meat. (First, though, check with your doctor.)

women money savings 5. If you smoke, play the lottery, or have a taste for single malt whiskey, now's the time to stop.

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