The Greatest Generation refers to Americans born between approximately 1901 and 1924. They came of age during the Great Depression and World War II, with many of them serving in the war. This generation is often described as resilient, patriotic, and frugal.
Many Americans are feeling the pinch of the rising costs of living. You may wonder if living within your means and managing with limited income is still possible.
The good news is that you can live within a budget and even save with a few adjustments. Our grandparents and great-grandparents survived the Great Depression and long rationing periods without ever going into debt.
Let’s talk about some old-fashioned, frugal tips from our grandparents that you can still apply today to save money.
During The Great Depression, every cent counted. People quickly learned to save as much money as possible and live on less. We can learn many frugal living lessons from this era to stretch every dollar.
1. Cook From Scratch
Making food at home from scratch instead of buying processed foods or prepared meals is always a good way to save money.
2. Preserve Food by Canning, Freezing, or Drying
When you’ve grown some food, you can prepare the extras so that you’ll have these foods ready when it isn’t growing season.
3. Use Leftovers
Are you in the habit of throwing out leftovers? Kick the habit and start serving up leftovers as the next meal.
4. Shop Around for the Best Prices
Not all prices are equal. You can save a lot by shopping around and finding the best prices for the things you buy.
5. Use Coupons and Discounts
Coupons and discounts are available for many stores, both online and off. Digital coupons are often used at grocery stores to get the best deals.
6. Repair Clothes and Other Items Instead of Replacing Them
During the Depression, items were used for as long as possible. This can include mending your clothes and continuing to wear them.
7. Make Your Own Cleaning Products and Other Household Items
It’s less expensive to make a cleaning product using simple ingredients, and it may even be healthier for your household.
8. Barter and Trade With Others
Get things the old-fashioned way by trading with others. You have plenty that you don’t need, and this can be your ticket to the things you do need.
9. Borrow Instead of Buying When Possible
There are many things that you can borrow either from the library or from friends and neighbors. Don’t buy something that you only need for a short time.
10. Take Care of Your Belongings So They Last Longer
To avoid replacement costs, take care of the things you have. Don’t think of your things as being disposable. We live in a time when we don’t take care of our belongings because we can just replace them. In the past, you took care of everything you had because you couldn’t replace it.
