I am great with stretching meals I have found out.
I buy fresh food that is only in season.....blueberries have been a real treat as of late.
Family is not real gone on leftovers but there are ways to to re-invent the second time around meal.

Rarely go out to eat...and my upcoming trip to California is from free miles acrued. My friend and I are staying at a discounted hotel...it is a business trip for him so Lockheed gets a discount.

I buy clothes at resale shops, goodwill and deeply discounted clearance sales.

My cable company offers free movies on demand. I go to the library for *renting* free DVDs'.
I get only basic cable now.
When I go to NY in the fall...I stay with family.
I cancelled Rhapsody online.
I think this all helps. This is how I was raised...it has not been difficult at all...yet.