Important steps for surviving recession jungle

Group buying will save a bundle, as will bulk purchasing.

Scripps Howard

The price of gasoline is soaring to $4 a gallon.

Milk has jumped more than $1 a gallon since this time last year.

Utility costs are up.

So are retail costs, college tuition, telephone services and health care.

As the country appears headed into — if not already in — a recession, the Federal Reserve won’t be riding to your rescue as it did for Bear Stearns to help pay your bills for basic household goods and other expenses.

These times call for tough, creative measures, beyond the usual steps that frugal folks use to control costs: Making fewer purchases; shopping at big-box, discount and outlet stores; looking for generic and store-brand foods; attending bargain matinees; lowering the thermostat in winter; choosing conventional fresh fruits and vegetables over higher-priced varieties; or commuting by public transportation.

Here are some other suggestions in our Recession Survival Guide:

On the “outlay” column, never underestimate the power of group buying and bulk purchasing.

UJoin a warehouse shopping club such as Costco or Sam’s Club. Shop in bulk for significant savings.

For perishables, arrange with friends and neighbors to split the cost and contents of giant bags of onions, lemons and chicken legs.

If the membership fee is too high, share it with one or two like-minded folks.

UMany cultural, sports and entertainment venues offer group discounts, so put your own posse together and tap into those savings.

UMore group power: Stockpile coupons, form a club that meets regularly to trade them, organize them so you know what you have, and wait for the double-coupon offers or sales.

UDo the same with Entertainment Book coupons.

Trade for your favorite restaurants and merchants and save a bundle.

USave on child care by forming a baby-sitting co-op.

Members take turns watching one another’s kids, without having to pay a sitter.

UGo shopping in your friends’ closets, figuratively speaking.

Plan a day when everyone brings the jackets, jeans, sweaters, purses, belts and other clothing they no longer use but that are still relatively current and in good shape.

If the shoe fits, you take it home.

UGreet spring by checking out public transit programs in your area.

USave on parking fees: Park farther from your destination and walk to work, or ride a free shuttle.

UIf you haven’t mothballed your car until gas prices drop, check your tire pressure at regular intervals — especially when the temperatures change.

Proper inflation means more fuel efficiency.

So do clean air filters, tuned engines and the right grade of motor oil.

UInsist that teens take a driver’s-education course to lower the cost of car insurance.

In cases where insurance is breaking the bank, consider putting off letting teens get their licenses.

UUse the public library instead of book and video stores or Web sites.

Many libraries have an array of films and books-on-tape, all available for free (as long as you return them on time).

UTake advantage of free nights at museums, galleries, music centers and other institutions.

UJoin a municipal swimming pool.

For instance, Pittsburgh city pool tags are a great bargain at $60 for a family of four, $15 for youths and $45 for noncity residents.

UVisit resale shops — from Goodwill to higher-end consignment stores — for clothing for the whole family.

If you already have more stuff than you can use, drop off excess items and either take a tax credit or collect a bit of commission when they sell.

Keep an eye out for large-scale consignment resale fairs.

URefill old ink cartridges for your computer printer instead of buying new ones.

Check online for mail-order and bricks-and-mortar stores that provide the service.

ULast but not least, never leave the house without food for the kids — peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, grapes or raisins, drink boxes and snacks.

Those Happy Meal receipts can add up fast.

Moving on to the “income” side of the ledger:

UAny able-bodied teens old enough to earn money should be doing so, whether through baby-sitting, lawn work, after-school, weekend or full-time summer jobs.

Work out an agreement as to how much of their earnings they may spend and how much they should save or contribute to the family coffers.

UThat goes double for adult children living at home.

They should be paying a fair share for food, utilities, rent or mortgage.