(msn) If you were hoping for a list of small tweaks you could make in your spending to save ,000 a year, sorry. The reality is that ,000 is a lot of money. And saving big money usually means making big changes in the areas where we spend the most, such as: Housing, Transportation, Food. Many people balk at chopping these basic expenses, notes Vicki Robin, a founder of the simple-living movement and co-author of the landmark book "Your Money or Your Life," first published in 1992 and recently reissued in a new edition. But those willing to entertain alternatives often find they can cut their expenses dramatically. Surveys of those who tried the nine-step "Your Money or Your Life" program -- which teaches people how to achieve financial independence by reordering their spending priorities -- found that participants trimmed their spending, on average, by 25%, Robin said. The following are ways people have found to substantially reduce their costs to live, move and eat. Perhaps some will inspire you.

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