The scene makes everyone laugh in disbelief. A toddler manages to get a big gift box open and then totally ignores the shiny new tricycle inside, preferring instead to play with the box. He is thrilled with his new "fort." I can't help but see that left to his own devices, he prefers cardboard because it allows him to be creative.

An "Everyday Cheapskate" reader recently related to me how her teenagers are handling her family's much-reduced budget in the face of unemployment. Her daughter isn't suffering Gap withdrawal or even missing Old Navy. She's become enamored with the local thrift shops, preferring to see them as treasure-troves for her new style: vintage. And oh, the bargains!

Their college freshman will be riding to campus this fall, but not in a car. He's adopted a bicycle as his mode of transportation and is looking forward to getting a physical workout every day.

Perhaps it's time for the grown-ups to take a few lessons from the kids when it comes to getting creative in the face of frugality.

—Do it yourself. Can't afford to replace the furniture? Determine that you will learn to reupholster or make slipcovers. Sign up at a community college or trade school, or look for instructions online. Take a weekend class in laying ceramic tile or refinishing cabinets. Visit http://www.FindHow.com and http://www.eHow.com to learn how to repair things yourself. Whatever your current level of creativity, push yourself to do something even greater.

—Make it yourself. There really is something soul-satisfying in making something yourself. Want to get inspired? Take a look at the blog post "100 Things you can make yourself" at Blisstree.com.

—Cook it yourself. If ever there were a place in your home where you could get creative, it would be in the kitchen. Frugality will become your friend if it forces you to buy raw ingredients and create wonderful meals from them. Visit http://www.SuperCook.com and http://www.AllRecipes.com for inspiration and recipes for the ingredients you have on hand.

—Guard your attitude. I've said it so many times that you may have grown weary of hearing it, but the truth remains: Your attitude is the only thing in the world over which you have 100 percent control. You can choose to find joy in your own creativity as you learn to live on less, or you can throw yourself a pity party.

Embracing frugality is the best way to make sure you are living below your means. When frugality is forced upon you suddenly, the resulting creativity often comes as a bonus to soften its blow.

Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com and author of 18 books, including her latest, "Can I Pay My Credit Card Bill With a Credit Card?" You can e-mail her at [email protected], or write to Everyday Cheapskate, P.O. Box 2135, Paramount, CA 90723. To find out more about Mary Hunt and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.