The U.S. banks are crumbing and housing values and taking a dive. With all of the bad financial news today you might ask yourself, "How much worse will it get?" According to everything in the news it is going to get much worse. I have weekly email correspondence with manufacturers in China and they tell me their prices are rising. As the U.S. dollars buying power overseas declines our cost of items in the United States will rise. We are an import economy and the consumer will suffer because the importers will raise their prices.

What can you do to Recession Proof Your Wallet?

Here are a few money saving ideas:

1. Say "no" to your kids. Children cost money. You can save a lot of money by saying no to toy or current fad purchases. Explain to your child why you make your decisions so they can learn to be savers not spenders.
2. Instead of using high cost cleaning products use vinegar and water. It has the same cleaning benefits and is much cheaper.
3. Plant a garden. Not only will you save on food costs you do not have to spend your after tax dollars to buy the food. The food you grow and eat is tax free.
4. Build a compost pile if you have a garden. Do not buy fertilizer when you can make your own. I will have a how to guide on compost piles on this site soon.
5. Shop at wholesale grocers and buy your food in bulk. Create a pantry in your home to store groceries. Buy when the items are on sale.
6. Look for coupons but do not buy items you normally wouldn't buy only because you have a coupon. If you do this you are spending more money then you normally would.
7. Put weed killer on your lawn yourself. Don't pay someone to do it for you. You can also pull the weeds out yourself. You will get some exercise, save money, save the environment, and most likely extend your life – the chemicals are not good for you.
8. Are you good at a service that other people need? Trade your service for the services of another. Example: You need someone to remodel your kitchen. Ask someone to accept your specialty service in return for the labor. Maybe you are a great web designer and agree to create a website for the person in exchange for labor. You both get something you want but no money passes hands.
9. Instead of giving your cloths to a charity wear them a few months longer then you normally would and then give them away.
10. Don't eat out. Cook at home. When you travel pack your own cooler of food.
11. Instead of flying away on vacation plan your vacation locally or at least in your own state. I have lived in Minnesota most of my life and there are places here I have never visited. I will visit a few of those places this year.
12. Camp instead of staying at a hotel. If you have kids they will love it. The cost of camping supplies will cost you the same amount you would have spent by staying at a hotel for a few nights. 
13. Buy a fishing license. The fish you catch are not taxed and you eat them for the small cost of a fishing license. Plus you get to enjoy the outdoors. Freeze the fish you do not eat right away and save them for later.
14. Instead of buying greeting cards call people and say hi. I have always thought greeting cards are a waste of money.
15. Put barrels under your gutter drains and capture the rain water. Use this water to water your outside plants.
16. Bath soap. Take those little pieces of soap that you throw out and put them into nylon. When the nylon has enough soap in it use the soap filled nylon in the shower. You can extend the life of the soap you buy.
17. Put off home repairs that you really do not need. Do you "really" need new counter tops? NO YOU DON'T
18. Cancel your home telephone service and buy a Magic Jack. I get nothing to promote this product but I would go to MagicJack.comand take a look at it. I bought one and it works. My "real" phone line will be cancelled shortly. Basically you can have a local telephone number, free long distance, and call from anywhere in the world to the USA or Canada for $19.95 a year through your computer. Also, it comes with voice mail that can be listened to through your email account.
19. Own only one car. You save on gas and insurance.
20. Buy an electric blanket. Turning your temperature down at home will save you money. An electric blanket will use much less energy then heating your whole home all night at a higher temperature.

Check back we will be adding more tips on recession proofing your wallet.