IS it just me, or does the cost of living seem to be rocketing skywards at the speed of light?

Council tax is increasing at such a rate that in a couple of years' time we will need to take on a second mortgage to pay it.

Utility bills are getting bigger, petrol is about to rise to £1 a litre, the average monthly childcare costs could keep Third World nations in food for a decade, and if you ever get toothache, well, it's no wonder people are tearing out their own molars with pliers.

I'm sorry to have to say it, because after all, I live here, but the country really is going to the dogs. And while we're on the subject, never let your pet fall ill, because a trip to the vets will set you back the price of a family car.

Everyone I know struggles from week to week, hoping that by Friday night they'll have enough left over to buy the kids fish and chips - and even that can set a family-of-four back £15, or more if you fancy mushy peas and a few bread rolls.

I'm not electioneering here, condemning the country in a feeble attempt to change those in power.

I don't think any other political party would do any better. In fact, I'm so disillusioned I'm not voting at all. I don't know anyone who is.

I'm just pointing out that the cost of simply existing is rising so fast it is hard to see how - unless you're a City stockbroker with annual bonuses of £200,000 - the average family on the average income can carry on making ends meet.

Things are obviously as bad for the population at large. Last week a national newspaper ran a huge article giving hints and tips on how to save cash, with suggestions including skipping your commuter coffee, paying bills by direct debit and car-sharing.

Great. I don't drink coffee, would never let any public utility have a free rein with my bank account and I don't know anyone who shares the same route to work.

But, despite cutting back to the point where we're wearing bin bags and living on bread and gruel, I've got to make further savings somehow, so I've come up with some of my own budget-slashing ideas...

Food

You can save yourself some serious dosh at the chip shop - remember scraps are free. Ask for a tray of them and, with a bit of salt and vinegar, you won't be disappointed. For health reasons, I wouldn't recommend them for every meal, although a few weeks in hospital for high cholesterol would save on food and heating bills.

Fuel

If you're lucky enough to have an open fire, skips provide a readily available source of wood.

If you haven't, and can't afford to turn on the heating, fill a hot water bottle and stick it up your jumper (working in my chilly office at home, I've got one up my woolly cardi right now).

Bills

Get yourself a few payment cards. Pay the odd tenner when you can afford it, and reduce the quarterly bill. Saver stamps are also brilliant. People may accuse you - as they do me - of having a 'pensioner-like' attitude in my mistrust of direct debit. But then how often do pensioners pop up on programmes about debt? It's a bit of a pain having to queue at the local newsagents to pay every week, but at least I can have a gossip about her at number 23 - with the pensioners.

And my final suggestion - emigrate. France, Sweden, Australia, Guatemala. Problem is, you may not be able to get decent fish and chips.

Updated: 11:49 Tuesday, March 29, 2005