Coffee traditionally serves as an economic measurement. The nickel cup standard is proof enough that $10 for a bag of medium-grade beans seems like caffeinated extortion – and without cream or sugar. It can all be traced back to fuel costs, another ugly brick in the economic wall. If you can’t afford your meat, you can’t afford any pudding. How can you afford any pudding if you can’t afford your meat? Times are tough, and Pink Floyd references aside (we’ll spare you the “Money” quips), your Mountain Times staff has a few suggestions on pinching some pennies. Heck, we’re used to it, especially in times of economic prosperity.

Frank Ruggiero: The Blanket Approach

On cold nights at sea, British Adm. Horatio Nelson claimed the love of his country would keep him warm — along with a set of snug long johns from Mrs. Nelson.

During wintertime, my friends commonly misinterpret my offer to take their coats as a threat. Were I extending the offer with a broken beer bottle in hand and a bloody ear, their apprehension would be understandable, nay, expected. Fact of the matter is my apartment tends to stay cold in the winter. I could take the Paul Simon cop-out and say, “Who am I to blow against the wind?” due to the inherent coldness of the season, but the fact of the matter is electric heating costs too darned much. On the other hand, I may use my blankets and coats for free.

Freezing pipes, however, are problematic. Common sense should prevail, in that frugality should never be associated with frostbite. For instance, room temperature should never be cooler than one’s refrigerator. When the brutal temperatures set in and I can no longer ignore my visible breath or feel my toes, I usually relent and turn on a heater. A point comes in the winter when one says, “Penny-pinching be darned,” but if it’s not too bad, grab a blanket. Granted, a warm comforter in bed on a cold morning is more dangerous than a snooze button, but if you’re good at it, you can incorporate both into your dreams and ride to work on a komodo dragon in cold weather gear shouting “MEEP! MEEP! MEEP!”

If you’re able to, grow a beard, why buy a winter coat when you can grow one? And since this is election season, one could also take the advice of legendary British Admiral Horatio Nelson, who would reportedly refuse offers of coats, saying, “The love of my country will keep me warm.” If that doesn’t work, make “country” possessive and add “blankets.”

Cara Kelly: Frugality 101

Ramen Noodles, Halloween funhouse brains or same difference?

I cannot in all honesty say I am the best source for financial advice; it would be horribly hypocritical for me to pretend otherwise. However, living as a broke college student will increase anyone’s frugal tendencies. One of the first major lessons learned by traditional party-loving college freshmen is the necessity of alcohol conservation. Although it may be a shaken can of Milwaukee’s Best, it is simply unethical to throw it away. Shortly after turning 21, college students generally find a way to dodge the high bar tabs associated with being of legal drinking age. The answer: pre-game. By the age of 22, students know a successful night is not one started in a bar.

Another lesson learned in college is the glory of simple, cheap food. Although reminiscent of a softer version of cardboard, Ramen Noodles can effectively cure a craving for a salty midnight snack. Leftovers also become a more valuable commodity in a college lifestyle, with the last six inches of a sub or remnants of Hunan serving as just cause for fighting with a hungry roommate. So in these times of economic crisis, think like a college student: Febreze instead of dry cleaning, go to events solely for the free food and downgrade to a cheaper form of alcohol.

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Scott Nicholson: A Simple Plan

Scott practiced the frugality of Guru Nanak, pictured above, and then he bought this ornate painting.

My best strategy for saving money is not to spend it.

Sounds simple, but a lot of people I know don’t understand the principle, nor the accrued interest. If you buy something on a credit card and let the balance pile up as you think you’re “getting ahead” by paying only the minimum amount due each month, you are slowly giving your future over to creditors. And we’ve all seen how responsible they are with your money, which is why you’re also borrowing from yourself to bail them out with your tax dollars, further entrenching you in a downward spiral in which you become less free and flexible.

I always examine each purchase versus the time it takes to earn the money to pay for it. Most “things” aren’t worth the cost to me. I don’t “need” many things. I’d rather have experiences than material possessions, because possession tends to work both ways. And I especially don’t want something that’s going to continue to cost me in the future, like worrying over scratches on a new car, a drop in value of a gold coin, or self-improvement surgery that maintains the fleeting illusion of youth for just long enough to be pathetic.

Invest in the spirit and you’ll never go broke.

Jeff Eason: Roadside Attraction

Roadside stands are fantastic places to find great deals and meet peculiar people.

Over the years I have managed to save a ton of money by buying my clothes at thrift stores. And not just any clothes, mind you, but a lot of name brands, such as Levis, Geoffrey Beene, Champion and Ralph Lauren. The trick, I find, is to know which thrift stores get quality donations from, say, tourists leaving town for the winter.

Of course, I draw the line at a few items of clothing. I never shop at thrift stores for my underwear, socks or shoe needs. Those items are best bought new, for obvious reasons.

Another thing that I’ve been doing to save cash is to try and consolidate my trips to town. I try to run as many errands as I can at once. For instance, every Saturday morning I take all of my trash and recycling to the recycling center, swing by the grocery store on my way home, and take care of any other errands I might have on the same trip. On Saturday I also reset my trip-meter on my car to zero to see how many miles I drive each week. I also use my car for work, so it varies occasionally, but I’ve brought my weekly driving down to about 145 miles on average.

I’m also a big believer in store brands. While not every store brand is as good as its name-brand counterpart, many are. You just have to try each one individually. I find that store brand canned vegetables are generally the same as the national brands, although sometimes you have to add a little more spice to them. Farmers’ markets and roadside stands are other good places to find good deals. Some of them are now selling apples for as little as 50 cents a pound. Happy shopping!