Is it possible to dine out on a budget?

I love eating out, but in this economy I try to find ways to save. When I’m out, I order appetizers to share, then just get a soup or salad, which is usually much healthier than eating buttery pasta or other entrees! Lots of restaurants have specials on Tuesdays, like half-off appetizers. You just might have to do a little homework before you go.

What about staying in? How do you get friends together affordably?

Hosting great parties on the cheap is a welcome treat, not only for yourself, but also for your cash-strapped friends. I always like potlucks. I’ll have a house party and invite my friends to bring something to share.

Another spin on this is a clothes swap. I used to get my girlfriends together every once in a while and everyone brought stuff they were planning on giving away. We threw it all in a pile and would try on each others' clothes, and score "new" outfits without spending a dime. Any clothes left over we donated to a women’s shelter.

Shopping responsibly takes some forethought at the best of times. How do you do it these days?

I shop thrift stores for clothes and buy used furniture online. I like knowing that I am giving my money to people who need it. (Goodwill, for instance, provides clothes, food, and job training to those in need.) Keeping goods within a community also reduces the carbon footprint of the purchases I make. And buying used clothing may even lessen the need for chemical-intensive crops like cotton.

Transportation and rent are two areas that typically eat up a lot of budget. How do you approach these?

I’ve had the same car for six or seven years. I could have bought a new one, but have invested in small repairs to keep it going instead, and avoided having a car payment in these uncertain times. I try to carpool whenever possible. For instance, I play on a soccer team with four friends, and we’ve carpooled together to every game. And I strategically chose my apartment because it’s bike-able from the main business district in San Diego. That way, when the weather’s nice, I can bike to the store, bank, or restaurants.

Gardening often sees an upswing during recessions. A lot of people like the idea of growing their own food, but don’t know where to start. Any suggestions?

I don't have the greenest thumb, but I love fresh herbs when I cook, and fortunately growing herbs is a piece of cake. Plus, herbs can be expensive to buy and are highly perishable, so growing your own makes a lot of sense. Thyme, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, and mint are all easy to plant in a small strip of soil or in pots. You can find plant starts at your local garden supply store; add a little potting soil, and you're good to go.

We’re guessing you’ve found ways other than pricey gym memberships to stay fit, yes?

I love working out outside. I am blessed to live in San Diego, so I can go running along the cliffs, ride my bike along the bay, and of course go surfing. The best things in life are free, and I definitely would rather do one of those activities than be cooped up in a gym.

For those who are dealing with winter weather, I do offer some help. I bought a device to convert my road bike into a stationary bike. A small investment has me riding my bike indoors all winter long and is much less expensive than a gym membership. Speaking of gyms, a great idea for getting a discount is to call your health insurance company – many offer them as part of wellness programs.

People worry a lot about feeling deprived when they cut back. Is that how you feel?

Living simpler can have a big benefit: less stress. If you don't buy as much, you don't have as much, so you have fewer things to worry about. I’ve thought about buying a new car or computer and decided to put it off for now, since mine work perfectly fine. Another benefit of living simply is that it often coincides with treading lighter on the earth.

Do you have any other natural cost-cutting tips?

I never buy paper towels. I’ve invested in cloth napkins, bar towels to use as rags, and cut-up old towels or shirts. And I compost: I collect all my fruit and veggie scraps and put them in a compost bin behind my house. I can't wait to use this free compost in my herb garden!