Times ARE tough, financially speaking, for most of us. Cutting corners here, saving a little there can be the difference in making our budget work. Here are a few tips to help you get by better during these tough financial times.

Cut food costs. Buy in bulk and prepare your meals at home. Don’t eat out – that is a budget buster. Take your lunch to avoid vending machines and convenience stores.

Cell phone versus land line. A land line can be much cheaper than a cell phone and they offer unlimited usage with local and some long distance plans. It can be a hard decision but one more and more people are making these days.

Shop in thrift shops and on Craigslist. Yes, you can save a bundle with this one. The discriminating shopper can save literally hundreds of dollars for every ten dollars spent by searching through local resell shops and Craigslist ads.

Ask for a discount. Ask your providers about cheaper plans. Maybe you can get a combination of cable, cell phone, and internet for a cheaper rate. Ask retailers if they offer a cash discount on your purchase.

Barter. Don’t forget about trading your set of skills or what you have laying around the house for something you need. The electric company doesn’t barter but that appliance repairman might. There is a barter section in Craigslist and I see (almost) everything imaginable on it.

We are going to have to think out of the box to get by in these tougher financial times or at least until the economy picks up again. But who knows? We will probably pick up some tips on getting by better that will help us the rest of our lives.