We Are Living In A Material World & I Can't Afford To Be A Material Girl!

For many of us, saving money is a necessity that is becoming more difficult every day. We work hard, we have kids, we have mortgages, we have debt (or don't want debt!), we have medical bills--you name it, we have it. Our money seems to slowly trickle away, like those neat little displays you see at museums...the ones where you throw in a penny, and it circles around and around and around until finally disappearing into a hole, going who knows where. Only it doesn't seem so neat when it happens daily, and when it's not just pennies, but nickels, dimes, quarters and lots of dollar bills!
We live in a fast-paced, materialistic world. Seemingly gone are the days when we could eat dinner for mere pennies, stuff stockings with oranges and nuts, get married on a shoestring budget, and take trips with what we've saved in giant pickle jars. With the economy the way it is, we worry about our future...but don't know how to do it any other way, unless we go without.
I think we can spend less and do more. I think we can get back to basics in some ways, sharing time, talent and effort, without sacrificing quality. I think there are many untapped resources for birthdays and anniversaries that can make those times just as special without having to eat spaghetti for a month just to pay for it! And I think it's more important to focus on what each special moment means rather than how 'The Joneses' do it. It may come as a surprise that you can get married for $7000, for instance, without losing the special touches along the way. You can also vacation for one week's salary and have just as good of a time (really, it's true!)
I'm hoping to share some ideas with you that may work and I welcome any input or suggestions along the way. I know you're skeptical, but just give it a try. And then take all of the money you've saved and put it away for whatever your heart desires most. Preferably in an interest bearing account, so you can watch it grow even more!!