As far as utilities, we turn off all of the lights unless we’re specifically using them (my husband has even been known to use candles to read by), and we unplug pretty much all of our appliances, lamps, etc. until we need them because even when your TV or toaster is off, it is still using power if its plugged in. Our apartment has a fireplace, so we’re stocking up on free firewood this summer so that we can have some free heat in the winter. We also don’t use the heat and/or AC unless we really, really need it, and even then we shut the vents in the rooms we’re not using at the time.

For groceries, we try to buy bulk staples as cheaply as possible. Since we’re so busy during the week, we usually cook big batches on the weekend and take the leftovers for lunch the following week. Some really cheap staples include rice (seriously, what CAN’T you do with rice?), soups like chili or vegetable, dried beans (good for burritos, soup, and with rice), off-brand frozen or canned veggies, and sometimes chicken (look for sales). We hardly ever drink soda or juice, although coffee is a must in our house.

This year we’re not going to buy a campus parking pass and we’ll ride the local bus instead. It is free for college students. See if there is a similar program in your town. This way we save on gas, car repairs, and the price of the pass. Also, instead of renting movies we check them out from the local library or campus library. And since we still have our old-school VCR, plus a DVD player, we have a wide variety to choose from. Lately I’ve really been wanting to see Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure again.

These are just a few of the things we’re doing to try to cut back costs. Thing is, we still need to cut back more with the baby coming. So if anyone has more ideas, that would be great.

For books: the library and http://www.bookmooch.com

thrift stores for clothing, because I am a grad student and I don’t really care what I wear

How do you punkasses save money?

By not buying stuff. Buy only as much as you need. Don’t buy in bulk unless you know from experience you will need it in bulk. Don’t habitually hunt for bargains, it will only make you buy things you’d never even considered buying before, because they are “bargains”. The time for bargain hunting is after you decide to buy something and after you allocate the money. Learn to fix things. Don’t buy expensive stuff because it helps you fix things. Don’t eat out: pack lunch. Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry or unhappy.

Saving energy: Don’t set the water heater higher than you need, except for once every two or three months to clean it. If it isn’t isolated well, isolate it. If you have a seperate water heater for the sink and for the shower, maybe you can switch off the one for the sink. Consider drying the wash on clotheslines, if possible.

Cleaning: Citric acid is more effective than vinegar in removing calcium. Don’t use acids on marble surfaces, test it before you use it on natural stone.

Keep track of where the money goes. If you try to deny yourself something you love, you’ll be surprised how expensive all those “only once, and only the cheap one” get. Allow for luxuries in your budget. Know your fixed costs. Don’t get into debt. Always do the math before committing money to save money: Your subconsciousness might be trying to trick you into buying something shiny.

Congrats to setting out to live alone — for me, it was the best I ever did!

Get Rich Slowly has a lot of thrifty-minded info on a variety of topics (finances, food/gardening, home repair & maintenance, etc.)

The ‘frugality’ tag is probably the closest to what you’re talking about here, though:

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/category/frugality/