Beginning with the grocery budget, I determined that while I can't cut down on the number of mouths I feed, I can cut costs on what goes into those mouths. Generic bagged cocoa puffs are just as chocolaty as the boxed name brand, or if not, they are inhaled just as quickly. The same is true for sodas. Dr. Thunder makes my kids as hyper as Dr. Pepper, so why pay more? In fact, I have made the switch from some of their favorite preservative-injected treats to their equally unhealthy counterparts, with nary a complaint, and saved a few dollars in the meantime. The kids, it seems, are less picky than the pets, which refuse to eat generic kibble.

With my budget makeover off to a good start, I tackled household bills that eat up a paycheck. Since everyone in the family has a cell phone, I considered cancelling our home phone service to eliminate that monthly cost. No one in the house but me answers the phone anyway. If I'm out, you'll have to leave a message because not even my husband will walk across the room to pick up your call. Still, living without a land line seems un-American, like not having a cookout on the Fourth of July. The American spirit equally demands that I not stand for getting ripped off by my phone company with its $38.60 in fees, equalization surcharges, taxes, utility assessments, infrastructure fund reimbursements, carrier access charges, network access surcharges, universal service fees and the life of my first born — (not that I'm bitter). Therefore, our phone service now comes through the Internet, with a total tax of $5, and I get to keep the rights to my offspring. That's a good deal — I think. My family probably still won't answer the phone, but it'll cost a lot less to miss your call.

I was also able to shave minor amounts off other household bills with service adjustments and updating to better rate plans. In addition, I took the drastic step of personally threatening each child with my own surcharges, assessments, carrier charges, fees and parental reimbursement, if he or she leaves on a light or turns down the air conditioning without prior authorization — in writing. Dollar by dollar, every category of our budget was examined, and, in most cases, we were able to find someplace to cut a few dollars of waste or excess.

There was one budget item that had no possibility of being reduced, even by a single dollar. In fact, all indications are that it's an area that will see further increases — at least we hope so. Giving to those in need is an item that ought to be on every budget, regardless of income or economic downturns. God calls His people to follow His example of generosity in all circumstances, whether from our lack or from our abundance.

"But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. ... Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that ... at the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what your need." 2 Corinthians 8:7, 13-14

"Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:10-11

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17