Ways to survive increasing prices and shortages by evaluating your Needs vs. Wants. Start by Recycling, Reusing, Trading, Upcycling, & Volunteering. Evaluate your needs vs. wants when shopping .  Making lists can help avoid over spending or double buying.  Add to your lists when you begin to run low on items in your household. Consider digital lists so the entire family can help with maintaining the lists and shopping as it will be in real time.  Although, a list on the refrigerator works just as well.    Key tips when shopping are to have a meal before heading out.  We tend to buy on impulse and not pay close attention to our lists/evaluate sales when shopping on an empty stomach .  Plan your trips, utilize coupons (put key sales/coupon expirations on your calendar with reminders.) Driving -  When possible, carpool to save time, gas, and wear and tear on vehicles.  Fill your gas tanks when the weather is cooler, usually in the morning.  Avoid going below a half a tank to ma