You and I and everyone we know has a debt limit: the maximum amount of money we can borrow on credit. It might be a mortgage, a credit card, or a car loan. Wisely, we do not spend more than we can afford to pay back.

Missouri will not be like many other states in the country and take advantage of taxpayers in economically difficult times. We remain committed to making sure that your tax dollars are spent wisely and that there are no job-killing tax increases. This is a goal we continue to focus on as the legislative session progresses. 

Did the groundhog see her shadow?

Every girl dreams about having the perfect wedding, with the perfect dress, in the perfect location, to the perfect groom. Well, I now have two of those items, the dress and the groom, and I am furiously working on getting the perfect location.

Building on our momentum from last week, we passed a House Concurrent Resolution that sent a clear message to the Governor and Congress – Missouri does not approve of the conduct in Washington DC. Last week we had large groups of people come to the capitol and talk to us about their fears of the federal government’s attempts in overhauling healthcare. The discussions however, often weren’t entirely about healthcare, but the way Washington DC has gone out of control in cutting deals and holding meetings in secret to cover what is actually in a proposal.

In previous columns, I've discussed coupon stacking at great length. It's one of the easiest ways not only to reduce the cost of items we're buying but also to get items for free. Many stores allow

DEAR ABBY: My parents divorced when I was 6, and my father remarried when I was 8. My father got custody of my brother and me. A year later, my half-sister was born and that's when my stepmother began physically and mentally abusing me. 

DEAR ABBY: When my three sons were small, I used to kiss them on the lips as a sign of affection. Now they are 13, 11 and 8, and it has been several years since I have done it. With the youngest, I can still get away with an occasional peck on the cheek -- but not my older boys.

DEAR ABBY: I am a 16-year-old girl who is starting to seriously consider colleges and plan for the future. I found an amazing school close to home that I'd love to attend -- but there's a problem. 

DEAR ABBY: Our oldest daughter is being married soon. When we pulled out our wedding album to show her our pictures, my mother-in-law, "Edith," started laughing and said she hoped our daughter's wedding would be better than ours was. Then she said our wedding had been "an embarrassment," and she wished she hadn't invited any of her friends to it!

DEAR ABBY: You missed an important clue in the letter from "Must Choose in Maryland" (Nov. 30), who is considering moving to improve her daughter's school life. Abby, the child is only 7. She has been in public school for three years, so the private school where she "flourished" was PRESCHOOL. 

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have had great success with your no-flour, no-sugar diet. You have indicated that natural sugar from fruit is OK. I drink 100 percent cranberry juice, and the label states that the ingredients are 100 percent fruit juices from grapes, cranberries and apples (water, juice concentrates), natural flavors, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and citric acid. The nutrition facts state the product contains 35 grams of sugar, which I assume is natural fruit sugar. I drink many glasses daily, but now wonder whether I have been inadvertently consuming added sugar and not natural fruit sugar.

DEAR DR. GOTT: Please write an article on smoking.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been on Armour Thyroid for many years, but all of a sudden, I cannot get it. Of course, I have Synthroid as an alternative. Well, I have tried it and just can't handle it. Why, all of a sudden, is Armour Thyroid on back order no matter where I check? Are the drug companies not making enough money on it? It's a low-cost drug. No one I have talked to seems to know the answer. I was hoping you might be able to answer this because I would imagine a lot of patients use it.

DEAR DR. GOTT: During the latter part of 2007, I was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer. My doctors recommended chemotherapy treatments from November 2007 to May 2008.

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have three new uses for vinegar that I am sure you have not heard of before. I enjoy your common-sense approach to medicine and thought that you would enjoy these.

Breakfast for dinner is a popular frugal meal. But sometimes serving plain old eggs and toast doesn't go over well at the dinner hour. Adding sides such as yogurt, hash browns, oatmeal, cheese, fruit, biscuits or bagels can make a simple egg meal more appealing. When that stops working, it's time to add an element of surprise. The following recipes aren't expensive and can round off your "evening breakfast" plan, so everyone looks forward to it anytime of day.

DEAR SARA: I have about 10 plastic three-ring binders that I bought for back to school two years ago. My kids never used them. Do you have any great ideas on ways to upcycle them? -- Andrea, West Virginia

Some produce comes wrapped on foam trays. Rather than throwing them away, they can be reused as paint palettes, crafts or packing material. You can place them in your pantry under items such as oil or honey that might drip or leak on your shelves, too. The first reader tip shares more ways to use them.

You can be one question away from saving money. If you don't ask for discounts, you're missing opportunities to hang on to more of your hard-earned cash. It can be tough to muster up the courage, but it gets easier once you've done it a few times. You don't have to be a tough negotiator. Be honest, undemanding and prepared for rejection. Many places offer unadvertised student, senior, military and employer discounts or will reduce the price if you buy in bulk, merchandise is slightly flawed, or if you're a frequent and good customer. Where have you been successful asking for a discount?

Frugal people have quirks. We can't help ourselves. We know that our frugal habits make a difference. Often, these little frugal ways can drive our families crazy. But we all know who is right in the thermostat wars. Ha! You deserve some validation. What frugal things do you do that make your family roll their eyes?