Many times, when someone is having a difficult time making ends meet, there are one of two causes. They are either spending more than they make (living beyond their means), they earn too little to support their lifestyle, or both. This can usually be fixed with a little savvy frugality...coming up with a sensible spending plan to ensure that one isn't living beyond their means. However, sometimes...frugality just doesn't cut it.

Some people are on a fixed income. They have no means of making additional income, and they have already cut their spending to the bone. Some retirees may fall into this category, as well as disabled people living on Social Security. The hammering suffered by 401k accounts and the stock market certainly hasn't helped. When frugality isn't enough, what does one do then?

Other cultures have actually found a way to deal with situations like this. Extended families share the same home. The elderly move in with their kids. The parents cared for the kids when they were children, now it is time for the parents to be taken care of. Most Americans don't do this. They opt for their own space.

A friend of mine has recently encountered a situation like this. They are widowed, on a fixed income, and have no prospects of earning more money. Their home needs repairs, the kids are going back to school soon, and there is "too much month at the end of the money." The stress levels are high.

What to do when frugality isn't enough? Sometimes...people need to ask for help. If friends and family are unable to lend a helping hand, or if the needs extend beyond a loan of a few dollars and expenses like food and housing become unmanageable, it may be time to look at some of the community resources available, to see if there are "safety nets" that you may not be aware of.

These may include:

1. Food banks or community gardens. If getting enough food is an issue, there are organizations that can help. Food can be obtained from food banks, church pantries and other faith-based organizations, community gardens (where you can trade work in the garden for the food it produces) and programs like Angel Food Ministries. If you have low income, the food stamp program may be an option. The program doesn't really use "stamps" anymore. Now they use something that looks like a debit card.

2. Housing assistance. If you are having a problem paying the mortgage, consider refinancing, if possible. Otherwise, there are housing programs available at the local, state and federal level. Some of these offer rental assistance, while others offer low-cost, low-interest housing for sale.

3. Clothing. Many organizations offer free backpacks, school supplies and back-to-school clothing for kids. Usually, the family must meet certain income requirements and register with an organization like the Salvation Army. This is still yard sale season, so don't overlook the bargains that can be found there, as well as the new and used clothing that can be purchased at Goodwill.

If times really are tough, and there are no prospects for income of any kind, there are programs that can help. That is why they were established in the first place. Many people don't seek help due to one thing: pride. If it's a choice between my pride and feeding my kids, I will choose my kids every time. Start at GovBenefits.gov. Fill out the questionnaire available on the site. When you finish filling it out, it will list the specific programs for which you may be qualified, and how to apply for them.

Other resources:

Angel Food Ministries

Community Gardens

SHARE Food Network

Second Harvest

Federally-funded Health Centers

Housing assistance

Salvation Army

Goodwill

Dress for Success

Legal Aid

Nobody likes to be in a position where they must ask others for help, but help is available if you do need it.

The title of this post is a bit misleading. Perhaps it should be called "Where to Find the Least Expensive Clothes", but that wouldn't fit with the theme of my "Where to Find the Cheapest..." series. The word "cheap", as applied to clothing, makes it sound like something substandard, out of fashion and polyester.

I have always been picky about how I look, and I used to spend the money to match my fashionable tastes. Unfortunately, it was more than my budget could bare. I was trying to look like a million dollars on a Walmart budget. I have grown wiser since then, but I still need to wear suits, ties and "business casual" clothing on Fridays at my place of work. How can one do that and still live a life of Savvy Frugality?

I have adopted a mantra which has served me well, especially when it comes to clothing: "Never Pay Retail. Retail Is For Suckers." That means I NEVER pay the full retail price for clothing, except for underwear and socks, and I usually buy those on sale. When I say "Never Pay Retail", I don't mean wait until jeans go on sale for ten percent off. That's still retail, really. The jeans were probably overpriced to begin with. Here is how my family dresses well while avoiding garage sale castoffs...all while getting clothing at 50 to 80 percent off the regular retail price. I should mention that I buy most of my clothing at regular retail stores.

Buy Clothing Off Season - You never want to buy polo shirts, t-shirts or swim suits in the middle of summer. Why? Because you are paying full price. If you buy those things at the end of the summer, just before fall, then you will get those items after the prices have been slashed to move them out of the store. I once bought a winter coat in the middle of August, when it was 80 degrees outside. I paid $16 for a coat which would normally have cost me about $150. I recently bought several short sleeved shirts (name brand) for $8 each. Regular price? About $30 each. Of course, it was about 30 degree outside...but it will get warmer, and I'll wear the shirts when the weather changes.

Raid the Clearance Racks - Clearance racks at retail stores are often thought of as "The Land of Misfit Clothing", but that's the wrong way to look at them. The clearance racks merely have items the store is trying to move out the door because they didn't sell them before they got new stock. I recently bought a new name brand suit off a clearance rack for $70. The regular retail price was almost $400. Whenever I shop for clothes, the clearance racks are the first place I check.

Check out eBay - There are some great clothing items on eBay, and there are some not-so-great items on eBay. Still, I have gotten some great buys on eBay, such as a new Diesel shirt for $30 (regular price $70). I get great deals on shoes on eBay as well.

Don't forget the "discount" stores - I'm not talking about Wal-Mart or Target. Stores like Stein Mart, Burlington Coat Factory and T.J. Maxx have great name brand clothing at very cheap prices. I get most of my ties at T.J. Maxx. I usually pay $12 for $50 ties.

Forget "trendy" clothing - That "hot new item" everybody is wearing now is going to be a "fashion don't" this same time next year. Stick to classic cuts and solid neutral colors, and you'll be able to use your wardrobe year after year. If you want to get adventurous, get a trendy scarf or tie. You can always put it on eBay later, and it won't cost as much as the new jeans most people would shell out $150 for...only to see them fall out of fashion in six months.

Speaking of jeans...Why would anyone pay $150 for jeans? Jeans are jeans. The only difference is usually the fit and the label. Stick to classic jeans. If you wear a belt or long shirt, nobody can see the label anyway. I bought my last pair of jeans at Steve & Barry's, on sale, for about $15.

Find a good tailor - If you gain or lose weight, you can get your favorite items in your wardrobe altered to fit. It's a lot cheaper than buying something new.