It's well time for all middle class people to cut back and shop smart-how i save 50% off retail

Biggest job losses since 1974

Got that from drudgereport.com

Also read unemployment was the highest in over 30 years.

I know I am shopping smart and not wasting money on "junk". This can include cheap trinket stuff that end up in yard sales unsold or paying $40 for a toy the child plays with for 2 days then gets bored with it.

I have a blog http://www.getfrugalblog.com which is severely neglected and needs to be kept up especially since more and more ppl are looking for ways to cut back and save money.

Here's a big money saver for me:
I wait till after Christmas is over. Then all the stores are trying to get of their Christmas merchandise. I then buy items for 25%-75% off depending on the store and time. The later it gets, the more they reduce the stuff. You can also buy wrapping paper 75% off after Christmas.

Then those are for next years Christmas. I did that last year and look, it's almost Christmas again. For all the kiddies, I have had their toys bought since late Dec.07 or early Jan 08. They have been sitting in a closet almost a year.

I also bought a little girls Christmas dress, the original price was around $16, I bought it for $5. Still hasn't been worn yet, but will be worn soon when its picture time.

That's a way I save about 50% off retail price for gifts, sometimes 75%. For adults though this year I will only buy for the closest ones and bake cookies or bread loaves for everyone else. There are gift sets like lotions, bath gels, that are also 50% off after Christmas. You can buy those and then give them for next years Christmas or for birthdays or even donate to a charity. You know how fast time goes so dont worry about that. Just put them in a closet in a box marked gifts and it will be here before you know it.