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Surviving Tough Economic Times? Readers Say, Bring It!

Adjusting the throttle on lawn mowers and snowblowers is a money-saving tip from one reader. Glen Kiltz says: "You'll save a can of gas over the summer! At $10 to $15 per can!"

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Williamsburg's Betsy Northrop had a bracingly no-nonsense approach: "Take inventory of all of your stuff. If you're not wearing it or using it, sell it on eBay, take it to a consignment shop or have a garage sale. Promise yourself that you won't buy anything else that you don't need or absolutely love."

Add water to your shampoo, suggested Kathleen Detlefsen. "You won't use as much, and it washes out easier."

"Go to libraries instead of bookstores," wrote Susan Goewey of Vienna. "You can even borrow videos and DVDs there."

"If your residence has insufficient storage space, use your car trunk for temporary storage," wrote Silver Spring's Dorcia Begun. When non-perishable grocery items go on sale, save money by buying a large supply and temporarily storing them in your trunk."

And think how easy the transition will be when you have to live in your car!

S.W. Long of Takoma Park said their new household motto is: "Eat like a pauper and sleep like a king -- and let austerity be your new prosperity."

My e-mail:kellyj@washpost.com

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