Save Money - Reduce, Reuse, and DIY

I have been asked on more than one occasion how my family manages to make end's meet.  After all, I am a stay at home mom, and Firebeard works for the state (not an industry that tends to throw money at its employees).  What do I answer to this enquiry?  Grace, luck, we don't always make ends meet, I don't know.... The truth is that I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve.  With unemployment going up and economic stability still on shaky ground, I decided to share a few of these tricks.

I am calling my method Reduce, Reuse, and DIY.  Reduce involves spending less, changing expectations.  Reuse involves repurposing the goods you already have, or can get 2nd hand cheap/free, so that they suit your new and ongoing needs.  DIY involves the many ways in which doing things your self can save you money.

Since this is such a broad topic I plan to break it down into several posts, so can an eye on this space if you need some money saving tips.