The things I find most helpful that I can do are: sewing, crochet, knitting, canning, general cooking, simple home repair, soap making, making my own cleaning products (laundry soap, sprays, etc), lawn care, and general crafting.

The things I know a little bit about but not enough to be confident are: carpentry, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and farming.

Any of those skills would be really helpful to people trying to maintain self sufficiency. I would focus on the more difficult things to do and just touch on the simple stuff. For instance, only take a week to learn soaps, cleaning supplies, canning, etc. They're easy to do and most people pick them up after the first go. Do longer periods on things like carpentry and farming because there are lot more intricacies to them.

Anyway, hope that helps!

Money management & budgeting.

Changing a flat tire. Plus everything everyone else has already mentioned.

I know how to cook - not just follow a recipe, but make a meal out of what's in the house. I also know how to plan for leftovers, shop efficiently, and stock my kitchen. I know how to clean, which is a skill that is rarely identified as a skill. I know the basics of sewing, though I wish I knew more. But I can make my own curtains or fix a hem, and those are important skills. I know some basics of gardening, and that's helpful.

I don't know much of anything about home repair or carpentry, and I wish I did. I would also like to learn about automotive repair.

I do know how to knit and how to can, but I consider those skills to be more for pleasure than necessity. If I lived somewhere that gave me space for a vegetable garden, I might revise my feelings about canning. But, unless you have a cheap source for wool, it's hard to claim that knitting is a necessity in any way (though it would be nice to know how to repair knitted items - my mother can, but I can not).

Basic repair of cars and home appliances, also troubleshooting with plumbing. Knot tying (and when to use them), mending clothes (including sewing on a button and how to chose the right size). Basic gardening skills and composting. Basic cooking skills and food preservation.

I found that the best way to get be self-sufficient is to have the basic tools at your disposal... for cooking (a skillet, a pot, spatula, a good knife or two), what simple tools (screwdriver -phillips and flat, a simple power drill, hammer, etc) there is nothing worse than having to put something together and not have anything you need

Searching Google and YouTube effectively. Or is that answer like using your one wish to get infinite wishes?

Definitely home repair! I wish someone would teach me about weather sealing -- this totally baffles me for some reason. Also think about how to unclog a drain, replace a toilet, change out a light switch and other electrical fixtures, troubleshoot a furnace, replace a loose shingle, fix a sticky door, re-caulk a tub, and replace damaged flooring. These are all things I wish I could do or I learned the hard way.

And I definitely agree with the above posters about mending/altering clothing!

Where to look for information and how to follow directions. I don't know how to do a lot of things, but my friends are amazed at the projects I undertake in my home and personal life and all I do is find instructions and do what they say to do. I am amazed by the number of people who don't read directions and then don't understand why something doesn't work (or don't know the features of their cell phone, etc.).

We did this great project in a high school class where we made a weekly meal plan, prepared one meal from the plan, went to the grocery store and priced every item on the meal plan, made a budget based on the meal plan, fictional apartments and jobs, and filled out fictional apartment applications, job applications, W-4's and tax forms (by hand). There are a lot of small projects you can incorporate into the budgeting project.

Sewing - hemming, sewing on buttons, taking in shirts and pants, whip-stitching a tear.

Auto care - change a tire, check fluids, know which fluid goes where and what it does.

Cooking - measurements, proper use of basic kitchen tools and cooking vocabulary.

Home repair - hand tool names and proper use, same with gardening, safety, particularly with power tools.

Legal documents - reading and understanding contracts, credit card agreements, leases, loan documentation and insurance forms, maybe have them fill out an amortization table.

I would think that the main take-away lesson of the class would be the ability to ask "how do I.." and locate an answer. It may be wise to ask class members for their input.

Second for money management and budgeting.

Also, this sounds ridiculous, but my best friend in college didn't know how to pick out produce. There are lots of lists out there on what to look for in good produce/how to identify bad produce. Another thing she didn't know much about - stain removal from clothes. I thought they were things that everyone knew, but I think many more people struggle with some of the basic stuff.

This is a little out there, but I think basic yoga stretches can help anyone, anytime. You don't need a gym or fancy equipment or even much time to reap the benefits. I think every grade school should be teaching our children basic yoga.

There are two ways to answer this question, do you mean self-sufficient, as in how to be a grown-up and take care of yourself? Or do you mean, how to survive if the economy/infrastructure tanks even more?

If you are looking for answer to the first, I think the other commenters have covered the basics nicely. If you are looking for something a little more in depth (without going totally overboard into post-apocalyptic survival), the first step would be to check out the Foxfire books. Living in Florida, it's smart to be prepared to live without water or electricity for weeks.

Skills I would suggest (in addition to those above):
- Building a fire
- Cooking with/without power
- Reading a map, using a compass
- How to avoid dangerous animals (insects, reptiles) and how to respond if you can't
- First aid
- Knot tying
- Swimming (there are way too many people that don't know)
- Driving

Money and budgeting.

And basic home health care. Things like which drugs to take, when to stay home and when to see a doctor. A lot of people either over-react or under-react when they or a loved one is sick.

Basic child care.

Basic home repairs.

Basic gardening.

Laundry skills.

Cleaning skills.

Basic cooking.

Basic computer skills (like how to use email, apply for things online and use an internet search engine)

Great question and great answers.
I would add:
- touch typing, proofreading and how to prepare an attractive resume'. So many people don't know how to present themselves accurately and well.
- how to read grocery store labels, compare prices, and understand nutrition labeling (e.g., what is "wheat flour" anyway?)
- accurately estimate serving sizes so that you don't overbuy or underbuy food and drink. This is a really useful skill that I use regularly.
- "Searching Google and YouTube effectively" - yes, understanding how to use keywords to find what you want.
- how to ride and do basic repairs/adjustments on bicycles
- know something about whatever foreign language is most commonly spoken in your area.

If I had to pick one theme, it would be "how to maintain/repair things".

Wow! I wish I had a course like that in college! I actually once made up a list of things I would like to teach my children (currently 2 years old and 4 months old) before they leave the nest. It included things like basic gardening, meal preparation, nutrition, money management, home maintenance, car repair, physical fitness, and social skills. To that I would now add critical analysis of information from the media, how to dress appropriately, and ideally, sensitivity to the needs of others. Call me old fashioned, but I sure wish I'd learned those things before I left home.

Home DIY and repair for women - before I met my significant other I was desperate for help, guidance anything so I could fix things myself. My mom is also a single gal and I try to help her via phone but she would love a class to learn how to use a drill, saw and some basic repairs and builds.

Tool-handling (something you can't necessarily learn watching a youtube video): how to drive a nail properly, use a paintbrush/roller, carve with a knife. Teach your students the rhythm and feel of doing things the right way.

And: how to build a wood fire and make a S'more (hint: dark chocolate!)

Money management (budget, balancing a checkbook, saving and debt)...basic tools and how to use em, not diy carpenter stuff necessarily you know a drill, screwdriver, that kinda thing...basic cooking, grocery shopping on a budget, making leftovers into other yummy dishes...basic housecleaning & laundry...job hunting skills, resume, interview

I wanted to say tech but you're talking about the new generation. They don't talk on the phone or email, they text, use social media and research everything online, I think you might lose their respect if you start talking about "how to google". A discussion in job search though might be warranted on how HR depts now search social media sites on possible candidates & current employees.

The biggest lesson you can learn is: Stay calm. People before you have done it, and they will continue to do it after. (Makes things a lot easier!)

As for discrete skills?
--Troubleshooting/Root Cause Analysis. Not just on your computer, but everything. Getting to the root of a problem makes an incredible difference when figuring out a solution. It also serves as a great bullshit detector if you have to get help.
--Sewing
--Food - both the shopping for and cooking of. Learning how to buy smart and use up all of what you have in a given time period (I'm still quite bad at this one, admittedly)
--the "Rule of Three" for clothing. Cover the bottom, cover the top, and one more large item for polish (jacket, vest, scarf, tie, sweater). If nothing else, you now look like you know what you're doing.
--Communication. Learn how to present well, write well, and talk to people. And take it seriously. Under this umbrella, therapy and/or counseling is an excellent place to learn how to communicate with others on a more personal level. It also helps you learn what others are trying to tell you while communicating unsuccessfully.

First Aid!

Everyone should know the basics, even if all it really teaches them is how to stay calm. CPR is a bonus, or maybe what to do when someone is having a heart attack or seizure.

You don't have to buy new stuff to have a comfortable and stylish home. The free section of Craigslist is your best friend. Especially with wood furniture - less with upholstered things or mattresses. I recently got a dresser that was in perfect condition and a table that needs very superficial refinishing for ZERO because people are moving out and getting rid of their last couple of things.

Reuse, reuse, reuse. Old furniture is oftentimes better made.

Another very random thing - spice mixes, soup mixes etc. You can make these super easy yet they charge $$$ at the store.

home repairs are a must, i am lucky that my dad taught me drywall finishing and once i had that skill all other types of projects were easy to learn, but i would love to have more woodworking skills.
money management my parents tried but they are not that great with money either and i hate to admit it but i could be better, i have my ups and downs with it.
i agree with everyones posts, and i'll add this
thrift shops salvation armys good wills, know what works on your body and you can have an amazing wardrobe for a fraction of the price but make sure you donate give back! they also have amazing items like art lamps glassware. always check out a garage sale. my mother taught me how to find treasure in what other people think is trash, i thought it was a basic skill but most people i know are not able to find the treasure. I think having the ability to clean and repair and transform anything i pick up I'm not afraid to spot things other might think are shabby because I know i can make it look new again.

Budgeting, knowing when to pay a little more for good quality objects that WON'T BREAK!, not buying on impulse, asking for raises, spouse-to-spouse communication (it can never be perfect but it should be constantly improved), using birth control properly (I have not learned it the hard way but I know people who did!), home improvement, overcoming phobias, house cleaning routines (still working on it), clearing clutter, choosing eco-friendly options, learning how to fix things instead of throwing them out, courteous driving, making friends, killing cockroaches, packing light, wine and cheese appreciation, cooking, proofreading and editing, income tax forms, wedding planning, giving good gifts, gift wrapping, basic dance steps, first aid, self-control with food, being a leader, being a follower, working in groups, self-control with alcohol, basic car maintenance, infant care, training your dog not to bark at everything that moves (I wish my neighbors had that one down), computer troubleshooting, taking initiative.

Adding to the basic sewing skills suggestions: knowing how to properly sew on a button, mend a seam by hand, sewing a blind hem on pant legs or skirts, how to thread/maintain a sewing machine, sew a straight and curved line on a sewing machine. All skills that can be mastered fairly easily with attention and effort.

Related: how to iron/press one's clothes properly. My father taught me how to properly iron a shirt as a preteen and I've never forgotten. Saves a lot of money, if you have the time, as you can skip the dry cleaners.

As with others, I've gotten a lot of pleasure and savings out of skills like crochet, knitting, canning, home cooking.

Thanks so much for this timely topic. It means a lot to get advice like this. Most important I think are not only how to do things but tips the professionals use so I don't do a hack job that's "just good enough", and that takes forever. Efficiency is vital since I work full time.

1. Making or fixing clothes
2. Repairs around the home
3. Growing food including for those of us who must container grow (less money = less land = more need for DIY, most assume we have acres of land. Well if I had that kind of money I'd hire someone to do all this stuff for us).
4. How to use every day tools
5. Basic car maintenance.

@Female student buildings sorry to self-promote (and I try to keep my blog semi-private) but I have a godzillion eco-friendly suggestions on my blog, especially gardening and buying products, so you may find the "eco-friendly" category helpful.

http://emmiscafe.wordpress.com/

It's hard to narrow it down when it comes to just being self-sufficient. But I'd throw my self-suffiency into being able to care for what you have:

Basic sewing, home repair, etc. from other commenters.
Money management/budget management (again, this is just so huge).
Care for preserving food/keeping food fresh
These are all well covered by other posters.

Care for electronics, the basics on installing software, what to do if something comes in contact with water, basic storage - so many things get damaged, and it can become a huge problem if things need constant replacing

Care for cars: how to change a tire, check tire pressure, check wear on tire treads, how to check and change oil, how to check brake pads and rotors.

I second the money management idea (sorry, forgot that one).

@applemanju actually, a lot of the "tech generation" doesn't know how to use Google and other search engines efficiently. I don't know how many of Janet's student are going to go on to a four-year institution, but everyone can probably use some help on Googling. http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/08/22/erial_study_of_student_research_habits_at_illinois_university_libraries_reveals_alarmingly_poor_information_literacy_and_skills

Whoops, got cut off, let me fix that. Link to article about how study that shows students' difficulties in the search process.

I second many of what has already been said... however in the meal planning department I think the making of soup is very important. Aside from the general desire to eat cheaply which leads to noodles, soup is a great way to go. It also allows the use of all the "remnants" from other meals/ goods.

How to cook with dried beans, make a split pea soup with a cheap ham bone and dried peas..... spices to always stock in the cabinet. Soup allow you to eat a dietary more balanced meal without paying too much money.

Also how to make gravy, starting with a rue, it's easy if you know how and makes even bland food awesome.

How to make bread... it is so much better and cheaper to make at home, but yeast is temperamental.

Lastly, stale bread can be 'revived' by sticking the stale bread in a damp paper bag and closing the top. putting that bag in an oven on 250 degrees or so. It takes like 10 min but the stale bread will become nice and moisturized again :) taste just like freshly baked.

Basic sewing skills including repairs and alterations.

Budget/money management

Basic car skills

Basic cooking from scratch skills, understanding parts of animals and how to cook them, meal planning, nutrtition and thrift

How to clean well

First aid

Bring in a librarian for a class on research, using search engines, choosing sources

simple repairs

Basic car repair. As a woman, men (and women!) have always been surprised to know that I can change my own oil, replace windshield wipers, change a tire, install audio equipment, change headlights, etc. While these things may be basic, they save me hundreds a year to keep up my old car and I have helped friends with their cars too. I thank my single mom and brothers for this knowledge.

These may be a stretch - but they are two things people are always impressed that I know how to do (which of course, baffles me because I learned them both in middle school). How to drive a stick shift car/truck and how to uncork a bottle of wine or champagne.

Understanding basic plumbing and electricity are on my eternal "to do" list. I agree with many of the other suggestions. Great topic/question, Janet!

Time-Management is a big one

Self confidence. It's by trying and making mistake that we best teach ourselves.
With self confidence an individual can attempt anything they want and learn from it.