In today's pressed economy saving money on everything from car insurance to toenail polish is almost a religion. Everyone's looking for the best way to get a good deal on the things they need to buy, and as time goes by they're getting more creative about making it happen! Here's a sneak peek at some of the strangest, oddest and funniest ways people are coming up with to tuck more money away in their savings accounts:

1) Have you considered quitting your job in true "Office Space" style, giving up commuting to and from work and working from home doing piecework? Not only are you absolutely guaranteed never to have to drive back and forth to work again! (These companies deliver the supplies you need straight to your door).

2) Become a hermit. Take that one step further. If you become a complete hermit, growing your own food and eschewing society entirely, you'll never have to worry about going out in traffic and running the risk of having an accident. And when you pick up a laptop and sign up for an MMORPG like Aeon or World of Warcraft you can still get plenty of social stimulation from the comfort of your soft, comfy computer chair.

3) Follow the example of the Amish and give up cars and modern appliances entirely. Not only will this save you a small fortune in car insurance (it's impossible to insure that which you don't have) it can also help you save big on your electric and water bills while they're at it! And you'll have some great arm muscles from doing laundry in the laundry tub-that's a LOT harder than it looks!

4) In true Bridget Jones style, start working for one of the major car insurance companies. Cajole, seduce or blackmail the boss into giving you an employee discount on your coverage-or even handing over a high quality policy for free with a little tweaking of the books. (Just for the record, I don't recommend you actually try this one.)

5) Cut a deal with your local repair shop. This has absolutely nothing to do with your car insurance premiums and everything to do with one of the nasty little side effects of having car insurance-having to pay your deductible. Deductibles can range anywhere from $200 to $1,000 (or higher) per incident. Raising your deductibles will lower your car insurance rates. Then, you can follow in the footsteps of an Associated Content writer I was reading the other day and cut a deal with your local repair shop. This particular writer had a $1,000 deductible which she "traded" for $1,000 worth of advertising with her local garage.

6) Carpool everywhere. I like this one-economically and fiscally sound! And you get the chance to get up close and personal with all the people in your life who matter the most every…single…day. Hitch rides with your neighbors, your friends and your co-workers. Refuse to go anywhere if you can't take the bus or the car. Always insist someone else drive when you're out and about. Then tell your car insurance company all about your low mileage at the end of the year. You may wrap up the year with nobody speaking to you, but your car insurance rates are guaranteed to be absolutely stellar.