Jim,
I think alot of people are looking at the way they get what they need and trying to relearn old ways... for me, Nothing is better than something I have made or harvested with my own 2 hands... whether its hunting and fishing, gardening (my god the number of quart jars I Store tomatoes and and salsa in each year! WE have also have our own herb garden here with everything we need to cook with and then some.. Of course theres making homemade ales, wines and Meads. Heck I even make my own Arrows now from time to time. Its not about the costs you are right...Its more about the act of doing it and the results...I think.
--al