The stock market is down, the economy has plunged into a recession, and most Americans are stuck going through the hardest times of their lives. While the rich are getting richer, everyone else is getting poorer. More and more people now find themselves living with less and finding ways to stretch money further has become a necessary priority. When times are tough, there are several means most of us can turn to for a little extra bang for the buck.



1. You certainly can't allow yourself to go hungry, but when it comes to food, it is usually fairly simple to lower spending without reducing consumption. Sitting in line at a drive-through during the lunch hour is annoying enough without the disastrously unhealthy food and the unnecessary prices. Skip the burger and fries and replace it with a sandwich from home. For the price it takes to get a meal at a burger joint, you can pick up a loaf of bread, some sliced meat, and cheese, and you'll have enough to last you at least a week. Plus, down the road, you'll save the money you would have spent on the gastric bypass.

2. Don't waste electricity. Most of those things that you leave plugged in at night still use power despite being turned off. Save a few bucks on the electric bill by unplugging things before bed; just remember to leave the alarm clock running. When you're watching television, dodge the instinct to turn the light on - that little glowing box is its own light source. And if you like to keep the TV on at night, throw on the sleep timer. You'll waste less power and avoid yourself the nightmares from Billy Mays seeping into your unconscious mind.

3. Does the cell phone bill always hit you hard? Most plans have times like nights or weekends when you can talk for free. If your plan doesn't have any breaks, shop around for a cheaper one; many providers have special promotions for new users. Also, think about other means of communication for anyone you speak with a lot. E-mail, instant messaging, chat rooms, and other internet venues are becoming better and better options as more progress is made with the technology.

4. Gas prices are high enough so make sure you keep your consumption to a minimum. If it's readily available, give public transportation a try. Otherwise, try to improve your own gas mileage. Stop and go traffic and high speeds burn the most gas. Give yourself enough time before you leave home so that you don't have to rush and you'll reap the rewards at the pump.