<p>Cloud computing is among the most important services extensively utilized in IT ecosystems. It is anticipated that in the coming years, upwards of 90% of enterprises within the IT sector will lean towards adopting cloud-based solutions. With a diverse and continuously expanding service portfolio offered by cloud service providers and the flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model, cloud computing becomes increasingly appealing. However, irresponsible resource usage can lead to adverse outcomes. According to cloud financial operations principles, it is crucial to focus on appropriate strategies enabling cost-conscious management, which maximizes the value derived from cloud investments and supports informed decision-making. However, due to the diverse utilization of cloud environments, selecting tailored optimization methods poses a significant challenge. This article presents a comprehensive overview of solutions aimed at optimizing the consumption of cloud resources. A novel categorization of resource usage optimization methods has been proposed, discussing properties, limitations, capabilities, and deployment potential of each semantic category and enhancing the selection of tailored optimization categories through the property-based taxonomy concept. This survey encompasses more than 70 articles related to cloud resource usage optimization, as well as concerning related areas where research advancements have the potential for application in the cloud domain. Additionally, it suggests avenues for further exploration and identifies unaddressed research areas, taking into account the growing significance of Green Cloud Computing.</p>