Still Working, but Making Do With Less



Jeff and Sharon Ferrell, with their two sets of twins, from left, Vivian, James, Bea and Ivy, have cut spending since his furlough.

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By MICHAEL LUO
Published: May 28, 2009

LINCOLN, Calif. — The Ferrells have cut back on dance lessons for their twin daughters. Vaccinations for the family’s two cats and two dogs are out. Haircuts have become a luxury.

Sharon Ferrell shops for food monthly at a no-frills grocery store and controls costs by making menus before shopping. She estimates savings of $200 a month.

And before heading out recently to the discount grocery store that has become the family’s new lifeline, Sharon Ferrell checked her bank account balance one more time, dialing the toll-free number from memory.

“Your available balance for withdrawal is, $490.40,â€