Have a story to tell of tough times?

Tell us how you thrived and survived.

We are looking for brief, first-person stories of how you overcame tough financial times in a way that expressed generosity. For example, a child gave up his allowance to provide something for a needy child or family. Or, when money was tight, instead of not inviting friends over to eat, you figured out a way to serve festive but cheaper dishes. Keep them under 400 words, if possible, and e-mail to Earth@csmonitor.com.