No Taxation

Without the ability to pay a refund if a taxpayer is entitled one. I live in Florida, one of seven states with no state income tax, so I don't expect to get any money from the state government. But Californians do, and I wouldn't be too happy to hear that the state is sending me an IOU instead of actual cash this year.

That's right. We're all so broke that even the state of California is pulling lint from its pants pockets. These are strange times in which we're living, but they can be good, too, as we refocus out attention on what matters most: our friends, our families ... and bargain shopping.

I've been clipping coupons, perusing thrift-store shelves and shopping at online discount sites for years, but suddenly, everyone wants to find a deal. I shared some of my bargain-shopping expertise for home design and renovation in the February issue of Austin Monthly magazine. Check out some of my tips below (to get tips on cheap fashion finds and entertaining ideas in Austin, you'll have to get your own copy of the magazine).