Still about tightening one's belt

So far (as a nation) we still haven't hit rock bottom yet in terms of the financial crisis. We are still in that low trough of things, and can't loosen the belt just yet.In my household, we are still just cutting back on DVD rentals, restaurant dining, shopping sprees, etc.One of my friends who's got a big family (four children) all of whom are schoolaged children, are currently studying the option of quick easy payday loans that are available to them. She's saying they are still weighing options and aboutto decide whether this is the way to go. We were discussing that times like thiscall for serious thoughts on finances.