by Judy Lin

Created on: June 05, 2007   Last Updated: February 17, 2010

Frugality is taking on a new level of importance in the minds of many in these days of high gas prices. Unless you're like us, and don't have a car. Still, this doesn't mean that we (Charles and I) can afford to live in the lap of luxury. Or, depending on your definition of "luxury", maybe we do. Below is a list of things we do to keep living costs to a minimum, while living life to the max:

1) Make your own cleaners. We have a small stash of washing soda and Borax. That, combined with vinegar, dish detergent, baking soda, olive oil, and tea tree oil, makes up most of the cleaning arsenal I use on a regular basis. The only truly expensive part of that list is tea tree oil, and you only use that in drops at a time, so a small bottle goes a long way. I even make my own laundry detergent-given my skin's sensitivity to dyes and perfumes (and the exorbitant prices companies charge for leaving them out) it just makes more sense that way. You can find recipes for almost everything online. I use recipes from this site: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-t oxic-cleaning-kit.html

2) Cook your own food. Really. That $2.50 frozen dinner may seem more worthwhile than making a similar dinner for yourself, but on the other hand, what you make using fresh potatoes and string beans and a piece of real meat (as opposed to the...thing) will be much tastier, and much better for you. For many packaged foods, you pay for the pretty box and the paper around it. The actual food is actually crap. Pay for real food. Eat real food. Both your wallet and your body will thank you for it.

And along that same line-you don't need as much milk and meat as the USDA says you do. The milk and meat industry pays them to recommend a certain number of servings to make sure they stay in business. But really, as long as you eat a variety of greens, fruits, grains, you can get away with no meat at all (me), or only 1-2 times a week (Charles). And milk? Well, I barely drink it, or any other dairy substitute. Milk, for me, goes into coffee, or is used to cool my mouth when I eat chili peppers.

3) Bike. There's a myth that New Yorkers don't drive. And why should they? But if you're unlucky enough to live in the suburbs, biking is still possible. As a matter of fact, more than possible-and better for you than riding in the cities. It's about 2.5 miles to the train station from my parents' house. It's an easy 15-minute bike ride. And when you consider that you get your exercise in at the same

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