Helen Myers of York Township hunts for bargains, like a damaged box of Banana Nut Crunch, at the Price-Rite in the township. (Chris Kauffman Photo)
I'm sure I'm not the only kid who grew up in York County hearing that I was not "a Kennedy or Rockefeller." I'm probably not the only kid who sometimes wished I was, for fear the neighbor kids would see our dented cans.

When we were out shopping, I would get what Mom refered to as "The Wants" for something I really didn't need.

She would always say, "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without."

She picked up the saying from somewhere, and it worked on me. It was hard for me to fight her when she spoke in rhymes.

Mom still threw out that saying into my 20s, when my car wasn't new "enough" or my clothing not cool enough.

Anyone of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage can agree, there are few looks worse than the one you get for

Share your money-saving tips

The York Dispatch is collecting cost-saving tips for consumers. E-mail your ideas and ways you have saved money to Christina Kauffman.

Here are some tips collected from area shoppers Wednesday:

  • Cut coupons, buy only things that you need and watch for sales. -- Carol Pettrey, Stewartstown,

  • Turn your thermostat down to 60 in the winter. Make pies and side dishes in your oven, while you have it warmed up for the main dish. -- Mary Knepper, Windsor Township.

  • Shop at discount stores such as Gabriel Brothers and Price-Rite. The items might be "seconds," but they're just as good. -- Pam Jarrett, York City, who said she saved $2,000 buying Ann Taylor clothes at Gabe's instead of The Loft.

  • Supplement expensive meats such as beef with less expensive venison. -- Deer hunter Mark Geesey, Chanceford Township.

  • Keep hand-me-downs for your children, and search online for clothing bargains. -- Nicole Workman, Emigsville.
being "never satisfied."

I understand, now that I buy my own clothes and have my own set of doors that must remain open or closed to keep the cold in or prevent the heat from getting out.

I'm tempted to follow Mom's lead and make my own cleaning supplies, using common ingredients like baking soda and ammonia.

She even bought a Swiffer mop and used a dishrag on the head instead of buying the replacement pads.

Her old clothing became dustcloths and old calendars, scrap paper.

I felt a kindred spirit when York Township resident Helen Myers pulled out her mangled box of Banana Nut Crunch in the parking lot of Price-Rite.

"See, it's not open," she said, displaying the bag of cereal, visible through a hole in the box.

She said she used to complain about how her husband kept it too cold in the winter. Now, she does the same thing.

Her sister threatens to bring a flashlight when she visits because Helen keeps it so dim.

Helen doesn't care about name brands. Pointing to a group of greeting cards in her shopping cart, she said the two-for-a-dollar cards send thoughts just the same as Hallmark.

That doesn't rhyme, but it's something my mother would say.

We live in an age when you can order your cappuccino with an infinite number of adjectives in front of it. But sometimes the thing that's "just right" is the thing that you could afford.

So, "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do, or do without."

-- Christina Kauffman writes Minding Your Business, and asks you to send her tips on business news, such as openings and clos ings, at 505-5436 or ckauf fman@yorkdispatch.com.