Back to the basics

I have recently been researching homemaking. I actually stumbled upon it, but it was so intrigued that I am now hooked! These woman, most of them SAHM, are on a road to being completely self-sustaining.
One reason they are doing this is because of the current recession we are in. Some have compared it to the Great Depression, I think we have a ways to go before we get to that point. But it should make us stop and evaluate our lives. What would our world look like without Walmart? Since starting my marriage, I have grown increasing aware of my lack of knowledge about this topic. I'm sure my mom tried to instill in my some helpful homemaking advice, but I never took interest in it. When I first got married I had never grocery shopped, barely cooked, never gardened, couldn't sew a button.....and the list goes on and on. I slowly became aware that I needed some help.
Reading these blogs has given me so much inspiration. Another reason woman are being so frugal is because they operate as a one income household, something Mike and I are striving for when we have kids. I want to learn these methods to teach my family how to live without relying on Super K. So far here is what we have done.....

• Created a budget with the goal to live on one income. (We should be there by May)
  
• Elimiate using credit cards
• Make my own bread, granola (instead of cereal), peanut butter
• Pack lunch every day
  
• Spend $50 or less on groceries every week and eat healthy meals at home most nights
• Experiment with new frugal things. (Example- homemade gifts, free family outings)

So here's my question?

1. Are you being a good stewart of the things God has blessed you with? Do you really need the next best thing? Maybe instead of getting a new summer wardrobe, you could give that money to a woman's shelter? Could you be a better giver if you lived this way?
   
2. If there was no Walmart, could your family make it? Do you have the skills you need to be more self-sufficent? (BTW, I still have no idea how to sew but would love to learn if you know anyone) Or do you think it doesn't matter?
   
3. How could we as a community work towards these ideas? What skills could you bring to the table?