We've all had to make concessions in one form or another during these unpredictable economic times. Many of us feel as though we're walking on eggshells, never sure if the next layoff will affect us and some are wondering how they're going to make this month's mortgage payments. Even if we're confident in our employment status and the mortgage payments are being met, we're still concerned with how these outside factors will alter our daily lives. A few minor and pain-free adjustments can be incorporated regardless of how our futures look. Keep in mind that old adage of an ounce of prevention versus a pound of cure. The more we do today, the less stressful the future looks, despite what's coming out of Corporate America.



Here are some simple ways to offset the rising cost of living:

You might be surprised how much you can lower your electric bill simply by hanging clothes to dry instead running the clothes dryer. Even if you choose to line dry every other load, you'll still see it on your monthly utility bill in the form of a lower "total due" at the bottom of the page.

Another good idea in your attempt to lower heating and cooling costs is to caulk all of the exposed cracks in windows and doors. This might seem obvious, (stay with me here - we single girls have to be resourceful) but have you considered using womens stockings to seal these cracks? Not only will you save a few dollars at the hardware store, but you've just found a new way to recycle what otherwise would've trashed after the first run appeared. Using a case knife, you can manipulate the stockings deep into the crevices.

Consider a yard sale. Make it count, though - go through every room in your home, the attic,the basement and the garage. Depending on what you include in your sale, you could easily walk away with several hundred dollars. Anything left over you can place on a site such as www.freecycle.org. These are local communities where people go to give things away or to request free items. The premise is that everything is absolutely free.

Consider beginning your holiday shopping in late September, or better still, when you come across a sale on the one thing your mother or brother or husband wishes for, pick it up then. Every gift purchased throughout the year is less money spent during the hectic holiday season. Look for free shipping offers on the Internet too. You might be surprised at how much you spend on shipping costs, especially for those last minute gifts.

Need new software? There are several sites that offer 30-90 day trials before purchasing and there are many that come with free licensing that you never have to purchase. Be sure it's a safe site, though or you may find yourself with a damaging download that was hidden in an otherwise legitimate executable. A great place to find the latest software downloads is www.download.com

If you're considering a second job, but hate the thought of more time away from home and family, consider freelancing or outsourcing your skills. A great site to start with is www.odesk.com. There are positions for writing, administrative duties, graphic design and many other positions that are in great demand throughout the world.

Instead of purchasing costly cleaning supplies, look to what you already have. Baking soda is a great scouring agent, vinegar does wonders for mirrors and windows and lemon juice makes a wonderful bleach alternative for kitchen sinks and counters while a half cup combined with a bucket of water is ideal for floors.

If you're spending a lot of money each month on prescriptions, look to the department stores for their generic prices. Wal Mart has an excellent program available for anyone who requires prescription medications and Wal Greens just unveiled its own program.

Did you know there are many online courses available that are free? Broaden your horizons! The Online Education Database has over two hundred courses offered at no cost. See the list at www.oedb.org

With a little discipline and creativity, it's realistic to believe you can easily save anywhere from one hundred dollars to several hundred through the month. For every tip listed here, there are hundreds more available. Every small step we take now makes the uncertain future a bit less intimidating.