Northwest Airlines has long had a fraught history of labour relations. The company - which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last September - has recently cut jobs and slashed pay and benefits for some of its staff and now its flight attendants are threatening to strike as early as Friday.

In an attempt to help cash-strapped employees, Northwest distributed a book entitled Coping with Job Loss, which offered a two-page list of 101 ways to save money. Among the tips: "Don't be shy about pulling something you like out of the trash." Other ideas: rent out a room or garage, search the internet for freebies, do your own nails and ask for hand-me-down clothes and toys.