It's not being cheap, it's being green

Why buy it when you can rent it? You can also make money on stuff you don't use much. If you're not the trusting kind, you can set up a security deposit. Collaborative consumption is the way to go. People used to do it that way, before we got all huffy about owning our stuff and keeping them locked up, unused in the garage, where our cars can no longer be parked.

Use the marketplace for renting stuff: http://rentalic.com/. They hand out security codes, so you know you're borrowing/lending to the right person.

If you're the more trusting kind, you can try SnapGoods. No security codes there, but it's a more usable website.

Transportation discounts with AAA

Yes, AAA is the automobile association, but it does have lots of discounts on public transit, including:

• Airport parking - Expresso airport in Oakland airport and Sky Park in San Bruno for SFO
• Amtrak
• RV rental
• Hertz
• Penske truck rental
• Supershuttle (though you might be able to get better deals online)

And even tours, like:

• Grand Canyon Railway
• Gray Line
  

AAA Discounts for California Toursits

AAA membership is a must-have tool for bargain travelers. For starters, you get better deals at hotels with your card, which covers your membership fees.  In addition to hotel savings, you can get discounts to the following entertainment places:

San Francisco Bay Area

• Asia Art Museum
• Gray Line
• Great America
• Oakland A's
• Pier 39 - Get your Fun Pack at the California Welcome Center (free two-hour parking, discounts in restaurants, and bay cruises)
• Six Flags Marine World and Water World

Los Angeles Area

• Knottsberry Farm - admission adn some merchandise
• Legoland
• Universal Studios

San Diego Area

• San Diego Wild Animal Park
• San Diego Zoo 
• Seaworld

For more savings, see aaa.com/savings. Or just try your luck and ask for AAA discounts. You'd be surprised at how the card is accepted at the oddest places, including fastfood restaurants. 

Museums on a discount

Your cultural education shouldn't burn a hole in our pocket. Here are a few money-saving ways:

• Check the museum website for free days, or you can just check out sites that list free museum days. Those days tend to be more crowded than usual, so you should go as early as you can, when the rest of the attendees are having breakfast and stuff. 
• If they don't have free days, check for free evenings. The SF Museum of Modern Art, for example, lets people in for free every Friday evenings.
• Look for two-fers. Some museums have agreements with each other. Two western fine arts museums, the Legion of  Honor and the De Young, are sister institutions. A ticket for one is good for entry to the other.
• Check to see if the ticket allows for multiple entries. Both the Legion of Honor and the De Young let you back in a couple of days after you enter the museum. If you went on a Saturday, you can come back on Sunday and Tuesday (because Monday is not open to the general public).
• If you have a AAA card, you can get discounts for some museums. For example, you can get the admissions for a second ticket at half price. 
• If they have a hot, special exhibit, get your tickets from Costco. Costco had one of the best deals for the King Tut exhibit in the De Young, for example. It came with the audio tour and didn't slap you with a service charge. Just go to the warehouse, buy the voucher, redeem it online, and print the tix. 
• Get more discount tips about other events from Bay Area on the Cheap.