Times are tight, with many Americans facing declining home values, depressed stocks, tighter credit markets, and higher gas and food prices. While cutting back on certain indulgences may not sound too appealing, it may be inevitable for some.

U.S. News & World Report’s Kimberly Palmer asked budgeting experts for advice on how to make ends meet during tough times without sacrificing too many of life’s pleasures. Here are their top tips:

Take bubble baths. If soaking in hot water doesn’t cheer you up, find out what does, because it could stop you from wasteful splurges after a bad day. “Especially in times like these, it’s very important for people...to find other ways [than shopping] to make themselves feel better, whether it’s tantric methods, meditation, Chinese balls, or bubble baths--just do what will not break the bank,” says Ken McDonnell, program director at the American Savings Education Council.

Host movie night. Going to the movies, especially if you’re a popcorn fan, can easily cost $40 for two people. Faye Griffiths-Smith, community leader for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, suggests renting a movie and inviting friends over to watch.

Learn to cook. Eating out can be expensive, whether it is for lunch or dinner. If you cook dinner at home, you can bring in leftovers to work the next day. Or simply take a few minutes to pack a sandwich before you leave. If your mornings are too busy, pack your lunch the night before, suggests Jean Austin, family and consumer science educator for the Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. When you’re shopping for ingredients, don’t go to the store hungry—this often leads to impulse buys.

Use the library. Your taxes are paying for it, so take advantage of the free books and movies. Many libraries offer DVD and audio book rentals, as well as free Internet service.

Drink at home. Going to a bar with friends can easily cost $50, McDonnell said. U.S. News found it’s much cheaper when drinks are consumed in the comfort of your own kitchen. Try picking up a six-pack and hang out at a friend’s house. The social interaction will cheer you up without the hefty bar tab.

Use your savings. If you’ve managed to save three to six months of emergency funds in advance of being forced to tight your budget due to a job loss or other unfortunate event, now is the time to use it. “Everybody should be contributing to their own emergency savings fund where it’s earning interest,” says Austin, so when times are tight, the money can go toward monthly bills and even some small indulgences.

Decide what you really want. U.S. News found that most people are able to cut 10 percent of their spending within 10 minutes. Ramit Sethi, author of the “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” blog says to write down your major spending categories, such as food and loan payments, and then guess what percentage is going to each category. Make a second list with what you want the percentages to be, and then make a third list describing what they actually are. If the reality doesn’t match up with your ideal, then adjust your spending, U.S. News said.

Dress in layers. By simply turning down your thermostat a few degrees and bundling up a bit, you can save on monthly heating costs, which add up over time. McDonnell warns against skimping on your monthly mortgage or rent payment to do this though, since keeping your home should be a top priority.