Apart from what everyone else has already suggested, I highly recommend that you start making your own preserves and frozen veges, especially if you are going to start growing your own because you often end up with a surplus of stuff that you can't eat before it goes bad. Like right now I have a freezer full of frozen cauliflower and broccoli that we've grown and I have heaps of beetroot and peas and beans planted now which I will preserve and freeze once they are ready. It really is easy to do. All you need is the proper preserving gear and you're set to go. And you'll be surprised at just how many different fruits and veges you can preserve and/or freeze too. Although you may need to invest in a big chest freezer because if you buy in bulk you'll need somewhere to put it all. So any big ticket items should be brought now while the money isn't stretched as far.

And you should definately invest in a pre-paid funeral expense plan too. I know a lot of people don't like thinking about that sort of thing, but it's a lot better to think about it now instead of if it happens and you're trying to work out where you'll find $10k within a week (yep, they can cost that much) to pay for it.

My final words of advice is that life is only as hard as you make it. Sometimes it wont be easy, but it can be done.