How are you surviving the recession?

Hello! I thought this would be a great place to start a post about suggestions to others on how you are saving money to help pay them bills during these rough times. My goal on this forum is to help add some relieve to people that are struggling. One of my favorite ways that i am saving money is buying food in bulk. We are a family of 3 and i could never do this before because i couldnt afford a vacuum packer and my stuff would get freezer burnt. But for christmas this year my grandmother bought me a Reynolds hand-vac (12.00) kit. I would have never purchased it thinking it was junk but it works beautifully. I buy 15 lb hams and freeze them in 1 lb bags with my vacuum packer and am saving bundles. Hamburger,turkey,roast, or whatever. In the fridge carrots,celery,tomatoes all vacuumed packed and it lasts for a very long time. This is a great little product for anyone who is starting a garden this year. So How are you saving money this year???