Ah the Internet is such a wonderful place [i]sometimes[i] when you're a DIY'er.
Looked up instructions for making a rain barrel and a tumbling compost bin. Then compared prices to those already made. WOW what a difference!
The rain barrel system is a must here in Kentucky due to the drought-like conditions we have from June to late August (like last year. I wanna be ready and be able to water my garden and flowers with 'natural' water versus the stuff that comes out of the tap.
The compost bin will cut down on my waste to the curb and the expense of fertilizers. Al-in-all, a win-win situation for us & our Earth!

After reading an article on the Finance Forum I regularly visit, I'm going to do my homework on really scrutinizing services that I pay for on a monthly basis. Things like banking services, utilities, insurance.
When talking to my mother the other day, she realized that one of the cards she uses for auto-pay was charging her $14.95 for each transaction! Needless to say, she got on the phone and switched to using her main bank for this. Zero charge.
I have never explored other options for phone service or internet. Last time I shopped for car & homeowners insurance was two years ago.
It was a 'smack yourself on the forehead' moment after that article, realizing that I work hard to cut back on our grocery, gasoline, and electric bills but had overlooked other areas that could use an evaluation!

This is the question I'm hearing all the time.
Today, our gas went from $3.59 @ 8 am to $3.85 by noon.
Even Bread at the Thrift Bakery has almost doubled in price.
Hear that poultry will be next.
I am going to continue to buy in bulk my flour, sugar, coffee, pastas, powdered milk, etc. I"m already averaging 47% on my grocery savings by using coupons. This is with careful comparison to generic prices.
I have cut down my driving considerably, now only making two trips a week to town and getting everything done in those trips.
I've dusted off my sewing machine and will try to be creative in using the yardage and other craft supplies I have accumulated the past couple of years.Looks like homemade birthday and Christmas presents will be in 'vogue' this year.
I keep the electric usage down to basic level. Helps now that the days are longer and warmer.
Our library has a Bookmobile that comes to my little town. Just a brisk walk and I can checkout/return books = $0 gas
Finally got my garden plot tilled up! Yep, going to preserve my garden's yield. Noticed alot of folks in my neighborhood doing the same.
I even found a DIY Home Maintenance book at our Goodwill last week.