THE Dow is down. Your plastic has reached its limits, and you?re having delusions of breaking the piggy bank soon.

The future of a recessionista is looking bleak. Has life come down to this?

Back away from the ceramic pig! There are ways to save some moolah that does not involve a hammer. All you need is a change of lifestyle and a bit of creativity.

Less fancy takeouts and more packed lunches is a good start. Bust out your old lunch box or invest on a new one.

There are a lot of cool lunch boxes available that are easy on the budget. Carrying one should be de rigueur for those who work 12-hour days with 30-minute lunch breaks. It?s all about surviving the crisis with grace and style.

E-mail the author at jfashion@inquirer.com.ph.