Experts have offered us their advice on money-saving tips for stretching sinking dollars due to inflation and higher energy prices.

Here are additional ideas you can try, all of which I have observed and some which I've even tried myself:

* Start picking up loose coins in shopping center parking lots or on grocery store and convenient store floors. Don't be ashamed, there's more there than you might think.

* Visit free food sample stations at grocery stores. On a good day you can swing a nice meal that includes ham, cheese, soup, pineapple, oranges, apples, etc. Return for seconds if you're really hungry.

* Go to a restaurant (the more expensive the better, and take your friends) and toward the end of the meal act as if you're choking and scream, "There's something in my food." A mouse, fly or bug placed in the dish works best, but you can also use items like glass, metal or whatever you have.

When the manager appears, threaten a lawsuit, which means not only a free meal but also gift certificates for future meals.

* Many household items, especially if you're in your first apartment, can be obtained by pilfering through streetside trash of others before it gets picked up. Best stuff is usually found at spring-cleaning time.

* In public places, such as restaurants or stores, act as if you're talking to someone while using a fake or obsolete cell phone. Cuts back on costs, plus you don't have to actually talk to all those annoying people.

* For women only. Purchase a new dress, wear to a wedding or take on a weekend trip. Then, return it to the store on Monday, say you don't like it and ask for your money back.

Since men can't do this, they can realize savings on clothes by buying everything at Goodwill or the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

* Get into real estate. If television infomercials are true, you can apparently get wealthy in a hurry with no money, experience or knowledge.

* Quit you job, no matter what it is, and become a consultant. Consultants earn lots of money and some don't even have to know what they're talking about.

* Start using the OPAC System (Other People's Air Conditioning) -- Involves spending more time at places like the library or mall, thereby saving on home cooling bills.

Please let me know some of your ideas so we can pass them along to readers.

barnes@wilsondaily.com | 265-7855