Have any of you ever read a book called The One Minute Manager? It's been a best seller among corporate management for over a decade, I just read it last week. It was very insightful on th management of people. I don't know if it'd apply in your cases, but it's a short read, so if you can find a local book store spare an hour and read it. (BTW, it's not just for business management, the lessons can be applied to all aspects of managing people, even personal relationships)
I never understood how people can spend so much on clothes. It seems that you only need so much to wear. I have a bit extra clothes because I'm lazy and wash my clothes every two weeks so i have enough for 2 weeks. But add in summer/winter I only have 3 weeks worth of clothes because there's 1 week that's good for mild weather like in Spring/Fall. I only have 3 pairs of shoes also. The ones I wear everyday, the boots I wear to hiking/paintball/outdoor, and a reserve pair of shoes. Plus, even my best shirts don't cost over $20, including my silk shirts and pajamas.