[jodi]

-buy jewelry at pawn shops
-get auto parts at junkyard
-take shorter showers
-give homemade cards and gifts
-ask doctors for prescription drug samples
-borrow a dress for "a big night out"
-give children hand-me-down toys and clothes.
-"Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash"

Thought I would reprint the examples given in the article. I had to register and log in to read the article, and not everyone will want to take the time to do that.
None of the above is degrading to me - in fact, I have done many of them and would do all of them. For my last prescription, I received so many samples that I have not even had to fill the script yet. I borrowed dresses from several friends in high school and college for formals. My MIL borrowed her dress for my wedding! And it was gorgeous. All of my children's clothes are secondhand, and so are most of their toys. And you better believe that I will pull over to get something off the curb if I can use it!
I've never been to a junkyard, but I did get DH's car repaired at a local vocational school for free when it needed body work. All it took was a phone call and an application.

I would guess that people might have been offended by the suggestion to give kids' and others secondhand and homemade gifts - for some reason, that seems to offend people. Also, asking others for help (samples, borrowing clothes) embarrasses some people as they are concerned over what those people think of them.
I do find it a little tacky that they presented these options in a pamphlet about being laid off. I honestly think they were trying to be helpful, but that probably was not the best medium to do it.