Many women on or near minimum wage around the world have this year given up things they could still afford 12 months ago, because of the rising cost of living. We spoke with women from four countries who are doing without things they used to take for granted - and to another whose income has actually increased thanks to a change of local government policy. Home-made washing-up soapJussara Bacello in Rio de Janeiro says that when she returns from her regular shopping trip, her bag is half as full as it was a year ago. Household cleaning products are one area where she is economising and washing-up liquid is something she no longer buys at all. Instead she has stopped throwing away deep-frying oil and gives it to a neighbour to turn into soap. "I cook with the oil and when I can't use it any more I put it in a plastic bottle and give it to a friend, here in my neighbourhood, to make into soap," she says. The neighbour learned the trick while working for a recycling company. Oil previously used for cooking chips or coxinha (chicken croquettes), is mixed with alcohol, caustic soda, and a fragrance bought from the market. "She mixes it in so that the strong smell of caustic soda does not remain," Jussara says. Jussara earns the Brazilian minimum wage of 1,212 reals ($225) per month, minus her pension contribution, by working as a cleaner and cook for an engineering firm. A year ago she could still afford to go to the cinema with her youngest son occasionally, and would habitually carry food in her handbag to donate to homeless people. But no more, she says. "Nowadays, if I do that for someone, I will be depriving myself of food I need at home."