The ways I am saving

1. We bought a much smaller house than we can afford(probably still bigger than most American house)

2. Our cars are on the small side, and do not drive much if we don't have too.

3. Grow our own vegetables. If we have to buy, we buy locally grown. They taste much better and they do not need to waste a lot of energy to transport from west coast or Florida.

4. I don't water my lawn in summer. I save a lot of water and save gas for mowing. My lawn does not grow well in summer but that's Ok for me. Grass decide to take a break so let them be.

There are many other ways to save like you mentioned in your article. I am sorry we haven't done that much. The ways we are doing do not sacrifice our life quality much.