Give Torn Stockings Another Run, And Other Tips for the Frugal

"My father-in-law cashes his tickets in for two bottles of beer, which he saves, packs in a cooler and drags back home with him," Schall said. "The porch refrigerator is always stocked with dozens of bottles of cold beer that he got for free. There are plenty more stories of my father-in-law's frugalness, some that are silly and some that are a little crazy, but he is the most generous man I know and saves everything he has so he can give more to his family."

· Third place and $50 go to Tabitha Plecker of Charlottesville. She found a clean way to save. She wrote: "Everyone with small children knows how expensive those swimming diapers are, especially when your little ones are in the pool every day. After I got tired of spending nonstop for these expensive disposables, I started to think about their purpose and construction. They were made for the water, right?"

Hey, that's right.

Well, Plecker wondered if they would survive the washing machine.

They do, she testifies. "My little ones can wear each diaper several times with washings before tossing it in the trash, as long as there are no major accidents, of course!"

But if you're going to try this, heed this caution from Plecker: "The dryer does not treat them as nicely, so drip-dry is the best for extended wear."

· Second place goes to James Ricci of Wallingford, Conn. With gas prices again surpassing $3 in most parts of the country, Ricci is on to something we all should try.

Ricci was nominated by his wife, Nancy, who says her husband instituted a no-car day. At least one day a week (and sometimes more) he refuses to drive his car. The only exception would be for a medical emergency.

Let's see, with a $75 prize the Riccis could buy, what, two days' worth of gas these days?

· Finally, first place goes to Tom Hagaman of Denver. He was nominated by his wife of two years, Emily, who says her husband deserves top honor for insisting they cut costs on vacation trips around Colorado by going to time-share presentations.

"His money-saving idea has turned into my own private hell," Hagaman said. "We've had plenty of discounted dinners. We've gotten enough hot springs passes, gas coupons, ski discounts and buy-one-get-one-free dinners to tide you over for a lifetime."

Hagaman said she's had enough.