This column is devoted to helping all of us deal with economic difficulties that are pushing America toward another depression. 

The purpose?  To offer constructive advice, tips and suggestions from readers and help alleviate the pain of job loss, loss of retirement funds, diminished savings, finding work in a different climate and society and deal with mounting bills.  If you’ve got useful suggestions to help others . . . send them to me at jbehrens@roadrunner.com.

Social Security Seeks Stories

If you want your Social Security story in a new book by the SSA better get it ready and in the mail today. The social security administration will review 1000 stories for publication in late July for publication of a book to celebrate the system’s 75th anniversary Aug. 14, 2010.

“We are hoping the younger generations will interview their parents and grandparents on the subject which is why our website offers interview questions,” says Barbara Burt, executive director for the Frances Perkins Center, a nonprofit organization leading the project. Social Security Stories Project hopes to provide a full picture of the importance of Social Security to celebrate and share its stories with US citizens and the world.

Full details and a submission form are available at www.SocialSecurityStories.org or you can call 1-800-335-2082.

Coupon Mom Helps Millions Save at Grocery Store

Everybody is trying to find bargains and a Georgia woman, who has been interviewed on Oprah and the Today Show, has devised a method that has won support and created savings. Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson has shown millions have to save thousands by being savvy clippers without losing nutrition or quality .Stephanie is the founder of CouponMom and she is the author of a new book called The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half (Avery, a Penguin Book USA) which has been on the New York Times Best seller list for several months.

“I’ve been saving at least $100 a week on groceries since my first son was born 17 years ago, “ Stephanie says. “That’s enough to pay for a child to go to college and that’s real money. Consumers are focusing more on planning their trips to the grocery store to save money. Being able to go to the web to find the best grocery deals at their stores, print coupons, load electronic coupons on their store cards, and even use their cell phones to access their shopping list helps save money without taking a lot of time,” she adds.

She notes that saving money doesn’t have to be complicated. “We outline my strategic Shopping Method and show consumers how easy it is to save at every type of store, in every department within the grocery store and for every type of shopper.”

Contact Nanette Noffsinger, Burke Hollow Media, 615-776-4230 or visit www.couponmom.com