Lesson 3. Making Ends Meet

Barbara: You're a clotheshorse.
Harriet: I know. I love dressing up.
Babara: Do you shop around a lot for bargains?
Harriet: I'm lucky. I work for a department store and I get a discount on merchandise.
Barbara: That's great because everything is sky-high.
Harriet: Yes, it's difficult making ends meet.
Barbara: We have to cut corners.
Harriet: Me too. I've cut down on luxuries.

-- from Idiomatic American English