The Carnival of Personal Finance for July 21 is hosted by Taking Charge. Here are some of the posts you will find on all things financial:

• Broke-Ass Student presents Rationing Cards – a Pictorial Journey Down Nostalgia Lane. “Enormous sacrifices were required during the onset of World War II, as the American government conserved resources through the enactment of the Food Rationing Program of 1942.” I have some of my grandmother’s ration paperwork from war rationing days. It’s also worth noting that some people are giving the “Victory Garden” nickname to today’s back yard gardens.
• The Money Answer Guy presents Should I keep my gas guzzling vehicle?: “Make a target of 100 miles or less per week. This will not only save you money on fuel, but you will also save on maintenance costs.” I know a lot of you in southeast Michigan own big vehicles, many of them purchased through autoworker friends and family employee discount programs. But now that these vehicles are expensive to keep on the road, use the smallest vehicle in your family fleet for work commutes, and keep the biggest vehicle parked until you really do need to haul a lot of people or stuff.
• The DebtFree Playbook Blog presents Food Snobbery Costs: “I was convinced that only the larger supermarket chains, and the well-known brands could meet my refined needs and delight my culinary tastes. However, the need to watch my spending and the consequent discovery of low priced supermarkets, opened my eyes to a completely new world of shopping.” One approach: figure out the few brands or products you really do care about and will be happy to purchase, and seek out cheaper alternatives for the rest of the stuff.

The Festival of Frugality for July 22 is hosted by Antishay Ventenne. Here are some of the posts you will find on frugal living concepts:

• Almost Frugal presents Finding Room in the Budget for Priorities: “Each family has to make the decision for itself as to what the priorities are, both financial and familial. No one else can do it for them.” That’s why personal finance and frugal living are not one-size-fits-all programs. But we can adapt another person’s ideas to our own circumstances.
• Organize IT presents 6 Tactics for Staying Sane When You are Unemployed: “You don’t know how long you may be out of work so it’s important to get to grips with your finances now before you get caught out. If ever there is a time to learn frugal habits, this is it.” Don’t wait until that last paycheck shows up to cut back on expenses. You have to take frugal steps as soon as you get the buy-out / layoff notice.
• Frugal Fu presents The Fu takes on school supplies: “If you really *must* send your child off in brand new duds, pick one special outfit, and perhaps some shoes, for that first day.” No, Michigan does not have a sales tax-free holiday for back-to-school. But there are lots of good tips here.
• Monroe on a Budget presents While you were out: Monroe on a Budget edition: “We’re using / re-using daughter’s own collection of Japanese knick-knacks and souvenirs as the main decor. No need to spend money on artwork when we have “one of a kind” stuff readily accessible.” I spent about $150 total for paint, supplies and curtains on re-doing my daughter’s bedroom decor. You’d be surprised what some re-arranging can accomplish.