1. I try to consolidate as many errands as possible to save gas.
2. Stop off at the supermarket on my way home from work rather than making separate trips afterwards.
3. Buy only items at the grocery store that are on sale. I cherry-pick the weekly sales fliers for staples sold as loss leaders—cereal, orange juice, meat, eggs, etc.—and stock up, so I never have to buy anything at full price.
4. Buy more store brands, which save me an average of 30 percent over national brands.
5. Instead of nibbling on leftovers as a snack, we save them for a second meal.
7. Buy nonperishable packaged goods in bulk at Costco.
8. Think twice or three times before making any significant purchase. If I initially desire to purchase something, I go away and contemplate it for several days or weeks to determine whether the longing is still as strong. The longer I wait, the more I realize I can live without it.
9. I avoid watching/listening to daily financial news reports because the litany of bad causes aggravations, anxiety, and makes me feel hopeless.
10. At each fill up, I check to see if my tires are properly inflated—leaning toward over-inflation rather than under-inflation—to maximize my mileage.
11. Utilize my vehicle's cruise control as frequently as possible on long trips to avoid speed fluctuations that hurt mileage.
12. Pay bills via online banking to save money on stamps.
13. Summertime: Keep shades drawn during day and ceiling fans running to prevent heat buildup, and delay use of AC for as long as possible.
14. Winter: We have gas heat and rely on natural gas for cooking, too, so our winter Con Ed bills are extraordinary—as much as $700 a month—and that's with the thermostat set to 66. Last year, I lowered the thermostat to 60 and bought two of the top-rated Honeywell electric baseboard space heaters. We put one in the family room where we spend most of our time, and the other in the hallway upstairs, near the bedrooms. We set the heaters to 68 and don't tinker with the settings. It provides decent enough warmth, and when it gets really cold, we toss on an extra blanket.
15. In non-emergency situations, we call the doctor (or veterinarian) first to determine whether an office visit is really necessary.
16. Finally, we go only to movie matinées. Never pay big bucks for prime time. —Tod Marks, senior editor

Do you have an unusual money-saving tip to share? Please post a comment, below.