Oh gosh I could write a book.... :D I was pregnant when we got married in 1981... I lucked out and had wonderful parents and mil who helped us, but we never bought anything new til my son was 1 and my hubby bought me my sewing machine from Sears... Kenmore. still have....I made all my sons clothes til he got to Jr high.... We ate alot of mac and cheese, big pot of spegehtti or other dinners to last for days......We always shopped at yard sales and thrift stores.... I bought mens corderoy pants cuz i could get 2-3 pants out of it for my son. I still like to shop thrift stores.. My aunt made this most gorgeous hawaiin quilt made with mens shirts from thrift stores.. I buy just about everything generic. When I became disabled it was rough. But we made do..... I'm glad I make quilts cuz I'm keeping my family warm.. I get depressed easy (head injuries do that) so sewing keeps me busy .. I know theres so much more i could write about, but you'll have to wait til the book gets published :wink: :wink: :wink: :lol: