Adventures in Blogging and Belt-Tightening

Welcome to the first of many, and what I hope will be regular, blog entries. I’ll post occasional comments and thoughts here. I hope you’ll do the same.

I can’t take credit for the blog name, “Walk on the Wiles Side.” Thanks and a big “newsroom mom” hug to sports guy Nick Brockman for coming up with the fun title.

Times are tough, and I’m curious … what are you doing to tighten your budgets during this difficult economy? Are you going to restaurants less frequently? Are you salvaging those pennies you find on the carpet rather than sucking them up in the vacuum cleaner?

If you’ve seen my wardrobe, you know I’m not one who owns a closet full of shoes or considers clothes shopping a recreational pastime. I am guilty of chowing down on fast food too often, adding new books to the stacks of books I own that I haven’t read yet, and savoring those euphoric feelings that wash over me as I swipe my debit card at the office supply store checkout.

I’ve reduced spending in other areas so I can feed my geeky habits. What about you? Are you gardening, coupon-clipping, or shopping at yard sales? Fill me in on the novel ways you’re balancing your books. You can post your comments here on the blog. Let’s start a conversation! If you think your tips are newsworthy, e-mail me at pwiles@the-messenger.com and provide your contact information. I just might give you a call.