We decided to home school our 10 year old daughter while on vacation in May. We were sick of the public schools using children as fundraisers, and always marketing their contradictions to us (i.e. fast food, yucky lunches, candy, etc.). Plus, we felt she wasn't being challenged academically.

A friend in Washington State told me about a home school program called K12. She said, they supply the curriculum, supplies and books, assign you a teacher, give you a computer, and the best part it's all FREE.

My daughter has wanted a computer for years, but we told her she would need to save up for one. Well her computer from K12 arrived today. Yippy!!! To our surprise it was a brand new HP with a flat screen monitor and a new HP printer. She is in heaven and so are we. That one decision probably saved us $1,200 or so.

Also, home schooling will allow us to save by not having to purchase school clothes, gas, supplies, and the endless "begging for your money" that schools do.

I DO NOT hate public schools or their teachers. We have just found an alternative for education, and a way to save more money. What do you think?

I love food! Like you, I love to eat out when I can. Usually once a week or 1 1/2 weeks. I do not eat at fast food places. Well, only Chick-fil-a, but they're an exception to the rule. Therefore, when I go out I like nice restaurants, but I do not pay full price. Below are four ways I'm able to eat at nice restaurants for about half the price.

- Early bird specials. We go to our favor steak restaurant where an entry starts at $20, but with the early bird the same meal is $10.

- Discount coupons. I use Dining for Dollars or www.diningperks.com to go to my favoriate bbq restaurant. I purchase a coupon for $12.50, and it's worth $25.00.

- Buy one-get-one free. It always works great. Instead of paying for two meals, we're only paying for one.

- Free birthday meals. At Provino's I get a free meal and dessert for free. Go to http://clarkhoward.com/topics/
free_birthday_meal.html to check out other FREE meals for birthdays.

Do you like eating out? What do you do to save money?

I like nice things, but I hardly ever pay full price for them. One category that can be very spendy is clothes. I have a 10 year old daughter that is constantly growing. Of course I want her to look nice all the time, but I sure don't want to go broke in the process.

Here are some ways I've gotten really nice name brand clothes for very little or even free.

- go to garage sales in affluent neighborhoods. Their junk is usually my treasure.

- go to "reasonaly priced" consignment shops.

- go to Target. They actually have really nice well made clothes.

- get clothes from my sister-in-law who gets them from her sister and cousin who spends HUGE amounts on brand name clothes for their kids who never even wear them. Really, the clothes are new. Go figure!

- Shop after Christmas sales or Holiday sales for the best bargains on clothes.

How much do you think you spend on clothes in a month or year? What do you do to save money on clothes?

In 1991 when I lived in Puerto Rico, I discovered what my REAL needs were. I need a roof over my head, water, food, and good health. I couldn't get a job because I never got a phone. So a way to communicate would be nice.

Have you discovered what your absolute needs are to survive? Or have you been programmed like the rest of the world to believe your wants are your needs?

What would you say your absolute needs are?

My husband and I just decided to sell our other car and go down to one car. We realized that our lifestyle allowed us to have one car. Having one car could save us around $2,500 a year in gas, insurance, tags, and maintenance. It's a small price to pay.

What about you, can you go down to one car to save money? What would you do with an extra $2,500 a year?