[notfarnow]

-Like many others here, I'll try to fix anything before hiring a pro. Sometimes it means investing money in tools & books, but it almost always pays off.

-I try to be energy conscious. Use the clothes line instead of the dryer, don't leave lights on, etc...

-I run older cars, as long as they remain reliable. My current daily driver was $6500 CAN, and I expect to get at least 5-6 years out of it before it will be used as a second "beater" car.

-I don't buy people gifts unless it's something they really want or something they really need. Otherwise, they get some homemade maple syrup or pesto. (Exception: kids)

-I try to do is buy the best quality I can afford, and then maintain it and take care of it.

-I have also cut our fuel costs to 1/8 what it used to be by running wasted vegetable oil in our car.