We're actually spending more money now than we did before, but it's because we "woke up" and realized that buying cheap furniture didn't do anything for us, and that we hated living in the post-college lifestyle. We use Craigslist for good finds, but we made a decision to refuse to cave in to cheap quality. We realized that cheap price and cheap quality are not synonymous and that good quality can be had for good prices, but cheap quality is ultimately a terrible price no matter how you slice it. Paying more (we're not outrageous though - $500 for a lamp is still ridiculous no matter how high quality it is) for good quality just means you won't have to replace your furniture after a few years. It's refreshing, actually.

I am learning how to DIY to decorate my house. Instead of buying a new dresser for my daughter I bought an old one of Kijiji (our version of craigslist) that was well built and ugly. But a coat of white paint it looks great and will hopefully last for years!

Oddly, I'm doing the same as goodpanda--spending more on new, higher-quality furniture. We sold nearly all of our existing furniture on Craigslist and then very carefully picked out new pieces.

In total, we'll have fewer pieces than we did before, but they will (hopefully) work better for us over the long run.

I've always enjoyed living simply and well within my means. This is just how I live regardless of the economy.

I refuse to carry debt (not even a mortgage), so if I really want something, I have to save up for it. It forces me to choose carefully.

Nothing has changed at our apartment. Times are always tough for us.

We, too, are buying higher quality when we can and _really_ scouring for decent finds at decent prices. I recently discarded the stupid, unturnable, huge jogger strollers for an old Emmaljunga I can drop both kids in (just like my bro and I did) that is sturdy AND fits in my tiny, old car. We ditched our expensive, but great, mini SUV for a old station-wagon-esque version of the Honda Odyssey when we finally needed 6 seats. And we grow our food, eat in, sell eggs and bread, and generally get by. We work for ourselves mostly, as well (I do always and my partner does 3-5 mos a year). We're doing better this way than many we know...

We're newlyweds with lots of student loans, so all we've known is tough times. But we actually really love the challenge. We're putting every extra penny towards our debt in hopes of paying it off in 5 years (vs. the lender's prescribed 35 years).

When all your decorations and furniture are either used or free (I guess we're in the post-college phase that goodpanda mentioned!), then it's the little things that count.

My favorite tools are my calendar and my to-do list. Planning ahead saves time, money, and provides a sense of accomplishment.

When money's tight, we declare a spending freeze, not to be confused with a spending spree, although I like to joke that they almost sound alike. I've cut back on the things that I used to "blow" money on: restaurants, magazines (hey, the internet's just as fun), and materials that I just "had" to have for future projects, projects I usually never got around to.

De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter! I made an extra $100 this month selling old books, cds, dvds, clothes, and a skateboard because I needed tuition money. I don't miss the stuff at all, and my apartment is cleaner.

I've been decluttering like brittney by selling off things I don't need anymore. And I keep putting off the big-ticket things that need to get done that I can't do myself- My A/C- furnace unit is old enough to go to college, but I can't afford to replace it- even though I know it will save me money in the long run... but if you don't have the money in the first place? I just hope it makes it through this summer which i suspect will be much hotter than last year.

moneys been tight in our house for about 6 months now. I actually feel that my family is happier and life feels calm, slower & relaxed. With no money to spend on going out, the husband, the kids & i spend most of our time together at home or with family, really enjoying each others company. Living on less has helped us focus on what is really important in life. It presents its challenges which i actually find refreshing. I was able to feed my family of 4 for 2 weeks for just over $100 and thats including fruits, veges, all meats, groceries & even nappies! A new almost daily ritual is baking fresh bread with the kids and they love it. Decluttering our house opened my eyes to how much money we wasted on stuff we didnt even need. My home feels lighter & is a place we all love to be in. we've really shifted our focus to a more fulfiled life. Living on such a little amount of money almost makes me feel embarresed to think how much money we used to spend on our 'living expences'.

Think of all the advertising you see for what it is--buying things you don't need with money you don't have. Give yourself a few days before making a purchase and you'll be surprised how many times that thing becomes nonessential.

When I was unemployed for a long period of time, I considered taking in a roommate...
...fortunately, I had sufficient consulting and freelance work that I didn't have to make that sacrifice!

But I did declutter - both selling and donating items.

I am remodeling my house myself! All those things my dad taught me while growing up about working on the house are really paying off now! He taught to be cautious and fearless at the same time... That is the key to not having disasters. Now when people come over and see the remodeling we have done, I impress the hell out of them when I tell them that I did it all myself. Girl Power is really nice on the pocketbook too!

the above comments sound like good rules to live by in both hard & good times. i'm esp. in favor of spending more on quality things & cutting all cheap & wasteful purchases. $500 towards a quality purchase that you'll keep is ok but $100 on some cheap object is just throwing your hard earned money away.

I'm a very lucky person in that a lot of my old "hand-me downs" were good quality, solid furniture. Both our sofas have seen 15 solid years of hard use, and are only just now showing wear and tear. We intend to keep our solid old bookshelves for many decades more. Having good quality items have been a great boon to us.

The main way we're affected by the bad market is that we are very very cautious. Could we afford to buy a condo this year? Sure, I bet we could. Do we want to take that risk in this job market? Nope! So, we're renting a place much cheaper than what we could afford, with the goal of saving up for that condo until we can pay off a LOT of it upfront. That way we can either have low low monthly premiums, or save that money in case of a layoff. We don't assume money will come to us anymore- we only trust the money we already have.

I follow the same rules I've always followed: live within my means (I save up money for things, instead of putting them on a credit card - interest adds up, especially now that all the credit card companies are hiking up their rates), don't buy things I don't need, etc... I also subscribe to the "buy quality, even if it costs more up front" idea, because those cheap tables will fall apart, so buy the more expensive ones (within reason). Most of what I buy is high-quality used furniture, though. I've been going out less, and spending more on my home, as a result.

I'm a college student without much money to spend on anything. I try to keep my priorities straight, though. I would much rather buy something nice for my home than spend money on clothes, which won't last very long. I've vowed never to buy Ikea, I would rather hunt for something equally inexpensive but better made and more unique at flea markets, thrift stores, or on craigslist. I've also decided that buying nice art (or framing existing art well) is more important than buying furniture. I love cooking at home, and I've found that shopping at the farmer's market saves money, as well as being more environmentally and socially responsible. One of my weekly indulgences is buying fresh flowers at the farmer's market, too. I try to live simply and well on a limited budget.

If money's tight it tends to be a happier home because I take it as a challenge and there's a greater emphasis on creativity: I take what I have and remake it; I disconnect TV service and spend more time making things for my house and making art; more time spent gardening and growing my own fruit, vegetables, herbs; take home repair classes and DIY instead of hire services all the time; I make fabulous pizza ($3 homemade vs. $25 takeout) and ice cream instead of buying either expensive or comparatively low-taste takeout; I make my own lunches for work and find somewhere nice outdoors to picnic (instead of dropping $8-12 for cafeteria or takeout); I throw open the windows and let more fresh air and in (and find that my electric bill goes down); I use the library more instead of the bookstore (and find that there's less book clutter in my home as a result).

I remember everything my mother taught me and I intuitively put it to use and become more creative... life slows down... and I like the QUALITY of my daily life more.

I'm simply trying to find a cheaper apt, but it's been a pita. At first I was just interested in making up funds lost after furlough pay cuts, but now I'm actively seeking a smaller inlaw or room bath at $750 or less since I was basically paying $1226 for a spot to sleep. There are plenty of studios and SRO type places downtown, but I don't want to deal with a growing bed bug problem in those areas and I don't want a longer commute.

So, I bide my time because I'm not willing to give my personal info to just anyone and can afford higher rent.

Still, I soon hope to find a place close to work and shops because SF MUNI is tanking and has poor future prospects. Other things I'm looking forward to in a smaller space are having less to clean, smaller utility bills, and acquiring some nicer curtains/rugs/etc. since there will likely only be a couple of windows and not much floor space to cover.

The builder's grade wall-to-wall carpet stays for yet another year. The wood floors are delayed once again (that's about 15 years now if you count various houses. sigh....)

I'm spending money fixing up the detached inlaw suite that could be spent installing a bathroom and kitchen in my own house that I have yet to move into. It feels painful parting with the money, but I know it's good for the future and a hedge for the present as I have someone moving in this weekend. You don't know what's next in this economy. I lost my job last year, weeks after buying my house. Luckily I got a higher paying job soon after but being faced with losing my home 2 months in really woke me up and I immediately started building an immense emergency fund with money that I was intending to use to rennovate (it's a fixer-upper), and putting time, money, and energy into fixing up the detached studio for a tenant. I'm slowly feeling more financially secure to start making plans to rennovate but I don't know when I will be back to that optimistic fire I once had to go all in and all out to have my "dream" kitchen and "dream" bathroom....I'm approaching everything much more conservatively. And I'm okay with that. My piece of mind and priceless.

Money is tight for us. We're 20-somethings with a mortgage, a student loan, & a bank loan/credit cards from when we were renting. We both have pretty good jobs but we're trying to clear the debt & update our home on a budget at the same time.
This thrifty time makes me spend more time at home with my husband & kitties, we do more together, plan meals, I'm growing vegetables, we do DIY at the weekend, upcycle furniture... these things have brought me more happiness than going shopping all weekend ever has.
As much as I hate the debt, I'm actually glad it happened. Without it I wouldn't have this new outlook on life. Now when the debt is gone, I'll be a better person for it.

We made the mistake of buying a house when prices were high (we should have rented for a few more years!)

There are some improvements needed. We did replace the flooring but I'm going to paint the kitchen cabinets instead of getting anything new. (They're good in terms of layout, just look beaten up.)

Instead of spending money on accessories and new things, when I get bored, I rearrange stuff.

As a foreign student & jobseeker/freelancer in US we have a limited budget and no credit history (no buffer!); living smart is the only way to make it trough the year.
Still we're all in for quality instead of cheap furniture; it's original and last way longer! (always buy real wood, never that 'beaverpuke' hardboard stuff).
I almost never pay more than $5 dollar for clothing; found the perfect thrift store (real Celine purse for $5!). Buy my kitchen stuff 2nd hand too; pressure cooker was one of my last finds. It cuts cooking time in half, so you have your food fast, healthy and green! Buy veggies instead of microwave/precooked dinners and you'll save.
No TV: everything is on internet these day's (you watch when you want); yeah, that's another $60 a month saved! And, it makes our place look better, it's hard to decorate with those bulky, ugly TV's.
I'm amazed that this situation makes us live better; less cluttered, better food (home cooked) and more aware of what really matters.

As a former state employee, I had to learn to live on less over the last couple of years. Fortunately, with each furlough added, and each memo aluding to impending lay-offs, I scared myself into paying off most of my debt. Now, on UI benefits (almost 3 mo. now), I am making ends meet (barely) by only buying necessities, making dinners at home, watching my utilities and attempting to take advantage of low-cost activities like museums. We even rent movies and project them on the wall of the living room while sitting in folding camp chairs and drinking wine. Some days are really tough, but this too shall pass...

We're eating at home more and spending less on 'stuff' and also decluttering. We're considering our needs more and more and not buying things just because it sounds like a good idea.