An Associated Press story details some frugal lifestyle changes that Americans have made to cut costs in these trying times, and expect to continue even when sunny days are here again.

Biking or taking public transportation to work, buying store brand groceries, repairing things instead of buying new replacements ... the folks interviewed seem willing to put in the extra time to save a few bucks, even when they're not as pressed.

Then again, it's not clear whether we'll ever be able to enjoy again the same low prices on everything that we did just a few years ago when supplies of food, fuel and credit seemed limitless.

I know I'll probably be line-drying my clothes rather than using the dryer most of the time, in the near future, but what about you? What have you done to ease spending that you think you'll continue even if you find yourself in a better economic situation? 

(photo: Jed Kirschbaum/Baltimore Sun)