SOME HINTS: John Lombardi of Bradford recently wrote a couple
columns on surviving tough times, citing his own time in Italy and
later after he emigrated to the United States and settled in the
Bradford area.

RTS, he had noted, had asked for some suggestions “from those
who have lived through challenging times to help those who haven’t
gain some insight from our experiences during the Great Depression
and World War II.”

Here are the “very basic” tips he passed along –

• Save for a rainy day while you have a job and are earning
money.

• Buy only what you can afford … use credit sparingly.

• Keep a booklet handy to maintain lists for shopping only for
what is necessary.

• Don’t buy on impulse. If it’s on sale doesn’t necessarily mean
that you need it.

• While you are in the grocery store, think about buying some
items to pack your lunch instead of buying every day.

• Carry a calculator with you to add up your purchases.

• Before you buy that new outfit, go through your closet. Is
this something that you truly need or do you have clothes which can
still be used?

• Avoid running the washer and dryer only for a couple of
things, and don’t overload the machines. On a nice spring day, you
may even want to think about hanging some laundry outside. People
may feel good about seeing clothes hanging on a line, waving in the
fresh air.

• Since it’s spring and getting close to gardening season, think
about planting some flowers which make a home look so nice. And
while you’re at it, how about some vegetables? There is nothing
like picking some fresh vegetables right out of your own garden.
Not only do you save money, but you get ripe tasting, organic food.
And you participate in the “green” effort as well.

OH, ZIPPO: Karen Scott of Smethport writes, “My daughter, Meghan
Scott, is currently on a missions trip in Beijing, China. She
spotted Zippo lighters and lighter fluid in the market in the
Forbidden City. She was really excited to see something from so
close to home.” Cool to get that international flavor!