If you own a car and live in the city, your points for frugality go right down the drain. Still, if the shore beckons you on a weekly basis and you make multiple trips to Home Depot each weekend, Philly Car Share is not for you. (If you find that your brakes form a solid layer of rust between trips to the grocery, however, you just may want to check out the eco-friendly organization).

Insurance:
With any luck, you'll never need it — but you've gotta have it. While you may know that damn gecko's digits by heart, shop around. Rates vary widely and some companies offer discounts for good grades, marital status, alumni associations, carrying multiple policies or utilizing a Club. I once saved over $200 by adding renter's insurance to my portfolio.

Rotating your tires:
Pop always told you to get those suckers rotated with every oil change. He's right: your tires will wear more evenly with proper rotation. However, if you spend $30 for each regular rotation, you'll spend about $100 yearly to extend your tires' lives by a few thousand miles. Resist your mechanics urgings and buy yourself a set of brand-new rubber after four years (try www.tirerack.com) with the money you'd have spent trying to eke out a fifth year on your old slicks.

Oil changes:
Take care of your baby and she'll take care of you. Dirty oil means a dirty engine, which means compromised mileage and a much greater risk of that orange "check engine" icon lighting up (like it does in every damn cab in the city). Be smart: Know your vehicle's maintenance schedule. Most dealerships try to tell you to change the oil every 3,500 miles when you really only need to do it every 5,000 to 8,000. Save $60 per year.

Finally, find a great mechanic:
Forget the Pep Boys and look for an old-fashioned garage run by guys with "Bob," "Ernie," or "Johnny" stitched onto their pockets. They'll greet you and your car by name and operate on quality rather than quota. I recommend Midcity Tire (716 Washington Ave.), Bob's Automotive (1323 S. Second St.) and Johnny's Truck and Auto at (111 Reed St.). If they tell you your car needs something, it actually does.