I never had a chance to even get a computer until 2000, but I do remember the 8088. I also remember the very first computer I ever saw being the size of a wall locker. Now that is old....

If I recall correctly my first computer had an 8088 processor.

I waited for the 286.

Think about that bologna, too. Even the cheap crap is $1.49 for a one pound package, and you can buy fresh chicken drumsticks for around $.49 per pound.

I'll do ya one better on the chicken. If you're near a WalMart supercenter, they usually sell frozen leg quarters for $4.20 for a ten pound package (used to be $3.90, but hey, it's still cheap).

My rule of thumb is "shop the ads". This week, for instance, I will be buying 16 pounds of polish sausage at 99 cents a pound and ground beef at 99 cents a pound. Vegetable proteins aren't at the center of our diet, but they nicely carry us through until we get items on sale. We are, by the way, frying up the polish sausage with the taters we bought last week at ten pounds for $1.

But you're right. Spam is expensive. Tuna is cheaper. And, while I loathe them for nutritional value, we usually buy 30 or so packages of hot dogs when they're selling 3 for $1. Suddenly all those years of hot dogs and mac n' cheese make sense to me (LOL!)

I'm laughing while reading this article and the responses because I can and do so relate to what everyone says! We've had our moments believe me and still do at times! The thing is what you do with what you have and how you stretch the budget, that's so key.

I love bologne by the way and so do my kids, fry bologna is the best. My kids always ask me to buy it. They also love the noodle soups, ramen or the store brand because they're a quick fix and they fill up on them. I usually have carrots and stuff to add to it but of course they never put those things in it. I also like to eat Spam but haven't eaten it since my childhood days. Mac and Cheese at 3 for a buck or .99c is a bargain, so is Tuna and sardines which are nutritional. Pork and beans added to those sausages that Whip mentioned I've done before and they're delicious.

You're right those ethnic foods that are Spanish or Asian based are inexpensive. We like to try new stuff and get a kick out of picking up their soups and seasonings and stuff to try. My own ethnic food can be expensive (Jamaican) and I don't always get them where I shop. It doesn't matter whether I get them or not though I cook the only way I know so my food is always spicy and deelicious!

I've been taking a peek at this thread over the past couple of days...thinking, "I could never budget for groceries." Our tastes are lazy and expensive. Frozen dinners, Kid Cuisines, brand name cereal, fresh produce, you name it. Oh, and we eat out at least a few times a week.

But my husband just called to inform me that our next few paychecks are going to be precisely $120.00 each. That amounts to living on $360.00 for the next two months. Gas, groceries, & bills all need to come from that.

We're gonna DIE!!!!

So I'm liking the advice you've all given above. Are you liking it too snowier?

We'll I've been shopping sort of for two I have a cat. I use regular clay litter and I get a generic large box of baking soda. The total cost for 1 25lb bag of liter and 4lb box of baking soda is $3.50. I usually buy more then 1 of all of the above saving gas on multiple store visits. My cat actually will not eat canned cat food, which saves me even more money. So 1 bag 18lb dry cat food is $7.99 and lasts quite a while since I only have 1 cat. As far as myself goes I watch for coupons for things I normally buy, watch store ads for good sales, and even got to go to BJ's for a free visit. Not having to pay there $35 sign up fee was a blessing I used it to get some hot dogs that were on sale and some rolls on sale too. I saved at least $2 on both and will have hot dogs out my ears since it was a 5lb bag. I drive as seldom as I possibably can. When I go to school I actualy walk downtown and take the bus back saving me an average $3 everytime (not including gas). For electric bill savings I use energy saving bulbs and unplug my VCR,DVD, TV, TV antenna and anything else that is a constant draw of electricity when I'm not using it. Yes it is a bit of a pain to plug in my TV and antenna every time I want to use it, but my electric bill is a little less by unplugging. It is also a real pain to reset a VCR clock every time, but when it saves energy to unplug I'll fuddle with it. It's really amazing just by unplugging my electric bill went down $10 and every little bit National Greed doesn't get the better!!!