Let's face it. When times are tough, times are tough. Here are a few more tips to help get you through to next shopping day.

1. Use the food you already have in the fridge and cupboards before buying more. You'll be surprised what you can scrape together for

a meal when you think there's nothing left.

2. When you go to the supermarket to do your main grocery shop, make sure you get all the non-perishables that you need. Don't overshop on fruit and veg. Non-perishable stuff costs heaps when you don't have it and you have to get in the car to drive and get it (fuel), or if you have to get it at a corner store. On the other hand, people waste so much fruit and veg that rots in their fridge. Best to get it every few days but still plan it to get it when you are at the shops anyway so you dont make wasted trips. Have some frozen greens in the freezer always so if you do run out of fresh you can still have green veges everyday.

3. Always have meat in your freezer (unless your a vegetarian). Buy a bit extra when it's on special. Otherwise if you've got nothing else and have to buy it on the spot, you are paying the price of the day which could be higher than when on special. Also consider when you buy sausages, chops, fatty meat, the percentage of good meat compared to a better cut. I've cooked sausages that have half their size gone in fat when cooked.

4. Put a few fresh herbs in your garden. Thyme, sage, oregano, parsley, chives can be planted, watered, and left to grow. You will always have something to spice up your dishes. Just add a little bit of dolomite lime and some manure or your own compost, a bit of water now and then and they will look after themselves from there.

5. Find someone who has a citrus tree, like lemons, oranges, mandarins. I don't know how many people I've met over the years who tell me that their citrus fruit rots on the ground. Lemon juice is great in so many things and adds a bit of vitamin c. Not to mention the money you can save. It's a shame to be buying food that somebody nearby is throwing away.

6. Don't use too much oil when cooking. Oil is one thing that has really gone up lately. I've seen my kids pour it in the pan just to cook a patty. Not to mention the bad health side of it, only a fraction is needed to stop it sticking.

7. When you shop don't buy too much ''easy grazing'' foods that the kids will get into. This can cost you a fortune. Better to make biscuits, cakes etc regularly than have the kids eat them all in a few sittings.

8. Remember every extra soft drink, snack, chocolate bar that you get which you dont really need all adds up money wise. Be careful when treats like chocolate blocks are on special. I see people end up buying 2 or 3 because they are on special and end up spending a lot more than if they bought one when not on special.

Hope some of this is helpful. Let me know what you think.