Many people are in a *very* tight fix financially with these high gasoline
prices. Here are some ways to cut expenses. Some of these things are not
pretty, but if you want to survive, might just need to do some of these
things.

-Trash collection. Discontinue service, take your trash to dump or transfer
station yourself.

In many cities, you *CANNOT* discontinue trash collection. Not
even if your property is now an empty lot. Or always has been an
empty lot. In Texas in the late 1970's, my area was annexed by the
city of Houston (has Houston annexed all of Mexico yet?). Some
nearby neighborhoods ended up with duplicate trash collection
services, which they could not avoid paying for for SEVERAL YEARS.
And worse, there were two collections on Tuesday from different
companies, which they were paying for.

-Install "Energy Star" double/triple pane gas filled windows.
This tends to cost a lot up front, and it may take years to recoup
your cost.

-Add more insulation to your home, especially attic.
This tends to cost a lot up front, and it may take years to recoup
your cost.

-Get new "Energy Star" appliances which save on electricity and/or hot
water like: air conditioning, heating, refrigerator, dishwasher, and
washing machine.
This tends to cost a lot up front, and it may take years to recoup
your cost. Of course, if you have to buy a new one anyway because
the old one is under water, this is a good idea.

Gordon L. Burditt