Rubbing dry bar soap in your armpits because you cannot afford deodorant. Have you ever rubbed dry bar soap anywhere on your body? Ouch!

  Cutting up a towel for 'that time of the month' because you cannot afford sanitary napkins. Oh yeah, don't forget to wash them out as needed.

  Washing your clothes by hand in just water because you cannot afford detergent.

  Using newspaper you stole out of a recycling bin for toilet paper. Only after going number two. Shake off number one.

  Using the great outdoors, whenever possible, as your personal toilet. Every flush drives the water bill higher.

  Having to stick your hand in the toilet tank and manually pull the chain to flush becaise you cannot afford the small piece of hardware it would take to fix it.

  Vacuuming your carpets once every six months. Every suck runs up the electricity bill.

  Carrying your last light bulb from room to room, if you absolutely have to have light.

  Adding six cans of water to the cheapest can of chili you could possibly buy (on the rare times you can afford to buy meat) and then thickening it back up with flour so there will be enough to last for a few days.

  Soaking saltine crackers in water so they expand, at least your family will have something to fill their tummies. Another great tummy filler is flour, baking powder and water.

  Wetting the frying pan to crisp the one sided grilled cheese saltine cracker 'sandwiches' you are making. You can be proud of your creativity. Tearing one slice into enough tiny pieces to go around and not fall through the holes in the crackers is no easy feat.

  Mixing powdered milk with four times the recommended amount of water. Skim, skim, skim, skim milk is good for you, right?

  Mixing 1/10 of a packet of a flavored drink mix with one gallon of water, no sugar, for an extra special treat for your family.

  Thanking God for the federal breakfast and lunch programs on school days. Dreading weekends, school breaks and summer.

  Praying that on a Friday night your child asks to spend the weekend at a friends house. At least they will probably have something decent to eat.

  Praying your mother sends you one of those mail order food boxes for Christmas. You know this will be the only present your family will receive.