Two families find a little change can save a lot

— -- Bruce and Jennifer Pivnick slashed their insurance costs without reducing their coverage.

Mitzi and Jimmie Walker discovered that food cooked at home tastes as good as take-out and costs a lot less.

And in the course of 30 days as they lived on new, tight budgets, both families learned that small lifestyle changes can add up to big savings. Each family slashed spending, saving more than $1,000.

"The biggest challenge," Jennifer Pivnick says, "is overcoming your wants."

Like millions of families, the Pivnicks and the Walkers haven't saved much. Yet, at a time the economy is faltering, an emergency fund is vital, financial planners say.

The Pivnicks and the Walkers agreed this summer to participate in the Frugal Family Challenge, a project created by USA TODAY in conjunction with ABC's Good Morning America Weekend. With help from financial planners, both families agreed to try to live within a spending plan for 30 days, starting in early August.

The results are in, and they're impressive. Here's a look:

THE PIVNICKS

Bypass brand loyalty for best deal

Jennifer and Bruce Pivnick of Richardson, Texas, have never been big spenders. Jennifer, 34, says she can't imagine ever spending $5 for a cup of coffee. They rarely take vacations, and eat out only once a week.

In 2005, the Pivnicks moved from Southern California because they believed Texas was more affordable for their growing family.

Bruce is a regional sales manager for Clipper, a direct-mail coupon magazine (Clipper is owned by Gannett, which also owns USA TODAY). Jennifer has a home-based business selling custom-made rhinestone T-shirts and other apparel.

But while home prices are lower in Texas, their property taxes are higher. Energy costs are higher, too: In July, their air-conditioning bill topped $700.

Groceries are less expensive, but with four children, ages 3 to 13, the Pivnicks still spend about $1,000 a month on food. They've also been hit hard by rising gas prices.

Still, during the 30-day challenge the Pivnicks made some significant changes in their finances. They cut their expenses by more than $700 and saved nearly $1,000 for retirement.