For those of us under 40, a serious economic downturn is a bit of a novelty. We’re used to discretionary cash, guilt-free shoe shopping, and a global economy geared toward producing goods for American consumers. While there are any number of guide to tell you how to spend less and save more, here are five quirky tips for hacking the recession that you may not find elsewhere.

1. Skimp on “the man,” splurge on the waitress.

I’m used to ordering a $4 coffee drink, and paying a $1 tip. Lately, I’ve been skipping the espresso drink and ordering drip coffee for $2, and leaving a $2 tip. Net result? I save a buck, the barista gets an extra buck, and together we gain a bit of solidarity against “the evil faceless corporation.”

2. Lend something/Borrow something

Because seriously, how many chain saws does one family need? This week my dad borrowed my chain saw to go to my aunt’s house to cut up a fallen tree for firewood. It was a little extra work to clean it up, box it up, and take it to my dad, but he saved $150, and my aunt will save at least that much in heating costs by burning some wood instead of gas this winter. Also, my dad sharpened the chain for me, and so my saw is actually now in better shape than it was before. Net result? $300+ in savings for the extended family, and a sharper saw for me.

3. Make something out of trash

Keep it simple to start. A plastic grocery bag can replace a trash bag. Junk mail can be folded into origami ornaments, or envelopes, or cut into snowflake decorations.

Once you get the hang of it, move up to a trivet out of old wine corks. Or a wind sculpture out of old CD-Rs.

4. Fix something you used to throw away

Invest a couple of bucks in needles and thread. Sew a button on that shirt — and if the button doesn’t match, all the better! It’s now a designer item.

If you’re more electronically inclined, add RAM or a larger hard drive to your laptop instead of buying a new one.

5. Find a free hobby

Examples? Board games. Jam sessions. Scavenger hunts. Yes, these hobbies require friends. But you can also do them online with virtual or remote friends. Solitary hobbies can include gardening or knitting, which can double up your recession hacking (see #3 and #4).

So what did we miss? How are you hacking, or planning to hack, your way through the recession?
[read the sequel post, More Recession Hacking: Five Free Ways to Heat Your Home.]