The New York State Consumer Protection Board (CPB) yesterday launched a new campaign on behalf of consumers who are trying to make their dollar go further. While many consumers have said they're struggling, several have risen to the challenge, devising good strategies to cut spending and save money. With that in mind, the CPB is launching its Stretching Your Dollars Effort (SYDE), to enable consumers to share their coping strategies with others by e-mailing or sending a written, audio or video tip to the CPB. In compiling the list of strategies, the Agency will be providing the public with a single point-of-reference for dollar-stretching tips that apply to many spending contexts.

"All New Yorkers are feeling the pinch, whether they're paying for groceries, filling their gas tanks or trying to plan summer family vacations," said Governor Paterson. "We are doing what we can to help. As my Task Force on Economic Security conducts town hall meetings around the State, I urge New Yorkers to look to these Consumer Protection Board tips to save money and resources. This Administration is on your SYDE and remains committed to helping hard-working New Yorkers weather these difficult economic times."

"Consumers need our assistance to weather this economic storm," said Mindy A. Bockstein, chairperson and executive director of the CPB. "We are launching this effort in support of Governor Paterson's economic well-being initiative to empower consumers by giving them information that can make a difference. As Plato said ‘necessity is the mother of invention.' We know that people have great ideas about how to stretch their dollars, and we want to hear from them! We have started with some great approaches already received from some consumers, but we are offering the general public the opportunity to give us their ‘2-cents' on the matter. This campaign is once again proving that the CPB is on your SYDE."

While many have offered various grocery shopping, food preparation, gas and household money-saving tips, the CPB is looking to develop a wide-ranging compilation of ideas, information and suggestions. Consumers are encouraged to log on to the CPB's website at www.nysconsumer.gov to read or view the accumulated tips, and then to submit their own to my2cents@consumer.state.ny.us. The Agency Web site will be updated on a continuous basis. Therefore, consumers are urged to log in often to view new information as it is published.