Conveniences are all over the nation, from drive-up banks and pharmacies to movies delivered to your bike to workmailbox, consumers rarely face the sacrifices today that were once required during the Great Depression and times of war. However, opting to live your own life by including even the tiniest of sacrifices can lead to big changes over time. The current amount of both personal and national debt has gone up enormously and the increasingly difficult economy, no doubt, requires more control and more sacrifice on both a personal and nationwide level.

 Sacrificing does not mean deprivation. Instead, making a choice to change your lifestyle but changing small things will make a big difference to your bank account. Living frugally does not mean living like you are destitute. Here are some tips to living more frugally in every day life, without feeling like you are sacrificing your lifestyle.

 Alternative Transportation - At $4.00 and over per gallon, any way to save gas will be helpful. Consider the cost of a monthly pass for public transportation if it is available in your areas. The amount of a pass compared to a month’s worth of gas may save you considerable amounts of money, not to mention the frustrations of rush hour traffic. You may also consider carpooling with others from your office. You would end up only paying a fraction of your normal transportation costs, especially if 3 or more people are in on the arrangement. If work is close by, purchase a bicycle. Not only will you be saving a huge amount of gas money, you’ll find yourself more fit.

 Practice Patience – You don’t always have to be the first in line for that new movie, restaurant, or fashion trend. Sometimes waiting just a few days will afford you a coupon, discount, or special savings you don’t get at the beginning of the madness. If you find something you have to have, resist the temptation to impulse buy. Waiting a few days for a sale may save you money and it may also help you make a better decision against the purchase all together.

 Be Energy Conscious – Think about the things good ole mom always told you. Don’t stand with the refrigerator door open. Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Play outside instead of sitting in front of the television. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. All of these things can help you conserve energy, thereby lowering your utility bills.

 While there are many, many more tips to making small lifestyle changes, it is most important to remember that these things should not only be practice during times of financial crisis, but during all 365 days of the year in order to prevent a bad financial situation. It will also help you prepare for unexpected emergencies that will arise.