jmsnc the answer is that it depends on how long you plan to stay in your home. There is a "break even" point for the 5k it will cost you. Figure out how many month's it will take to reach that point, and if you plan to stay in your home longer than that, it is worth it.

I have started using the dollar stores more for canned goods, trash bags and some cleaning products. A can of Campbells Chunky New England Clam Chowder $.99. A bottle of Palmolive Dish Soap that costs $1.29 in the grocery store is $.99. Shave a little here and a little there and things don't seem quite so tight. Just be sure to check the expiration dates.

Very good idea TVgirl! that crossed my mind but just haven't done it! I'm very much on a budget & this would be good to get in the habit -

Should I refinance at a rate that's 0.875 less than what our current rate? Like thousands of our neighbors, we are currently upside down in our mortgage, and although we have been able to keep our mortgage payment current so far, don't think we can for too long. We aren't in a deep trouble but just having couple of hundred dollars shaved off from our monthly payment will definately help, so we called around to see if we can refinance. No one but our own current lender was able to help but they are offering to refinance us at a rate that's less than 1 percent from our current rate. Which means it'll only cut our monthly payment about 100 dollars. Although this is better than nothing, we were wondering if it is worth refinancing at all with the closing cost being about 5 grand. Should we spend 5 grand we don't have to cut our monthly just 100 dollars?? The lender is offering to roll the closing cost into the loan, so we won't have to pay much out of pocket. But does it make sense to refinance?? The rate they are offering is 0.875 lower than our current rate. Please let us know if it's a good idea or not..

There is an online forum that discusses exactly this - Arizonans helping each other through the crisis with ideas, resources and updates. Check out www.helpingaz.com

Sometimes saving money doesn't mean trimming expenses...what about increasing income? Have you considered looking at your voluntary deductions? Could you adjust your W-4 withholding and bring more money into the household each paycheck? Get radical, and get a 2nd job. Dig out those buried talents & skills and do some side jobs, and bury your pride! What about the "mother of all garage sales?" Studies show that American families have 36 unused items worth over $700 that adds up to big savings! Then plug your spending leaks! Put that money in savings first. Cut back a little or eliminate spending - try it for 90 days!

How 'bout this. It's called depantrying. Anyone ever heard of it? Well, here's the challenge. You can eat for weeks on what's in your pantry, you just have to get creative. Get in the pantry, see what you have, and plan 2 weeks of meals just from your very own shelves. Give it a try and then put your grocery money in savings. More and more people across the country are finding it's a good time to NOT keep putting more and more on the shelves, but actually using the food you have.