Senior citizens are feeling pinched, so they're pinching pennies. In an April survey by AARP, here's what a representative sample of Americans 65 and older said is happening to them and how they're coping: 59 percent: Find it more difficult to pay for essential items such as food, gasoline and medicine

47 percent: Find it more difficult to pay for utilities such as heating, cooling or telephone

46 percent: Reduced eating out

45 percent: Reduced entertainment spending

35 percent: Postponed travel plans

30 percent: Postponed a major purchase

18 percent: Prematurely withdrew funds from a 401(k), an IRA or other investments

15 percent: Find it more difficult to pay mortgage or rent

12 percent: Postponed paying bills

10 percent: Cut back on medications

5 percent: Postponed retirement

Source: AARP