I kind of take the middle road when it comes to living frugally because there are some things I just don't want to compromise on, like the food I eat. Unless I'm dirt broke I just don't want to put third-rate food into my body.
That said, I do find I save a lot of money by eating at home. And it's possible to cook in such a way that one eats quite well for very little. For example, if you bake a whole chicken, then cook the scraps in water to make chicken broth, the resulting soups and mixed chicken dishes can keep two people going for a week or more. If you get tired of eating chicken every day, simply freeze the rest for later and make something different.
I've always shopped second-hand and rarely buy new clothes. I really believe that some things are just wrong, and charging over $50 for a shirt is one of them. Even if I had the money I wouldn't want to support that. Anyhow, by shopping at thrift stores not only do I pay very little, but I can actually afford to have more clothes in my closet than any sane person would know what to do with!
I also don't generally buy things like plastic bags or paper towels...I just save the bags I put my vegetables in at the store, or the napkins I get at places if I buy takeout, and conserve that way. Similarly, yoghurt or sour cream containers make just fine tupperware. Twistie ties from the store work for any number of things, including automotive repair - you just have to realize they are little pieces of wire. You can use them to repair small hinges too.
I have also saved on home decor by getting cuttings off my friends' houseplants and growing them myself. Since pots to put the plants in also add up, I look for those at yard sales. Usually someone with a lot of pots for plants will also have a bag of potting soil sitting around somewhere they are willing to part with, too.
Really if you're willing to be creative there's a lot you can do to meet your needs aside from running out and putting something new on your credit card.