Your grandmother didn’t clip coupons because she was cheap.
She clipped them because she understood something we’ve slowly, quietly forgotten: that money is something that needs to be guarded.
Somewhere between the rise of one-click shopping and the era of subscriptions we forgot we signed up for, living frugally became deprivation which was somehting to be embarrassed about rather than proud of.
But a growing number of people are digging through the old playbook, and trying to bring 12 old-fashioned frugal living tips that were standard practice a generation or two ago, and discovering they work just as well today as they ever did.
Some things belong in the past. These aren’t them.
Use It Up and Wear It Out
This is the mindset of getting the most use possible out of what you own. As long as it’s usable and working well, keep it. Only replace when you absolutely have to.
Cook at Home
Making your own meals is way less expensive than going out or ordering takeout most nights. You can also make several days’ worth of meals at a time to save time later on.
Preserve Fresh Foods
A lot of food that doesn’t get eaten by its expiration date ends up in the trash, which is like throwing money away.
Freezing, canning, jarring, smoking, and making jerky are examples of ways to preserve fresh foods so they don’t go to waste.
Mend Your Clothes
A hole or tear in a clothing item doesn’t always mean you need to replace it.
If you can mend it, you should.
Even paying someone to do it for you will cost less than a replacement. Learn how to do basic repairs and patching to keep your clothes going a little longer.
Make a Regular Menu
Planning meals in advance and sticking to a schedule helps with budgeting and buying the right amount of food.
It also reduces the chances of wasteful, impulsive buying at the grocery store.
Repair as Much as Possible
If you can repair something, do it, especially if you can do it yourself.
The point at which this works against you is when the repairs cost more than a replacement.
Then it’s time to get a new one. Learn how to do basic repairs yourself to help with this.
Keep Appliances Simple
Buying appliances like dishwashers and washing machines might be necessary in today’s world, but look for the most basic models.
These basic models are a lot cheaper, and they still get the job done, and you really don’t need all those bells and whistles.
Also, since they’re simpler, there’s a better chance that someone other than an expensive technician can do repairs, and they break down less frequently.
No, you don’t need your fridge to connect to your phone, despite what the ads tell you.
Only Wash What’s Stained, Smelly, or Wrinkled
When they undress at night, most people toss everything they wore that day into the laundry bin.
Except for underwear, this often isn’t necessary.
Washing clothes less frequently will lower your bills and extend the life of your clothes.
You can also keep separate work, going out, and chore clothes to keep your work clothes as clean as possible, and no one cares if your chore clothes get a little stained.
Reuse Durable Food Packaging
You can also reuse some food packaging.
For example, when you finish a package of deli meat that came in a plastic container, you can reuse the container for food storage.
We make fun of grandma for not knowing what is in her butter containers, but there is no reason to spend money on nice containers besides for aesthetics.
Keep those containers and reuse them until you can’t!
Walk or Ride a Bike When You Can
When you drive for an errand, you use gas, which costs money, and you’re putting more wear and tear on your car.
Walking or riding a bike instead avoids those things, and you get exercise and fresh air. Do your best to avoid the car and walk where you can.
Choose Free and Cheap Hobbies
Hobbies don’t have to be niche or expensive.
Reading, walking to parks, and doing puzzles are just a few examples of hobbies that cost little or nothing.
Old-fashioned hobbies are also very often calming (as opposed to watching TV or playing video games).
You’ll be much happier and calmer.
Use Coupons
Some of us have laughed at elderly relatives who seem to be constantly on the lookout for coupons and pulling them out whenever they go shopping.
Take a look at how much they’re saving overall, and maybe it won’t be so funny anymore!
Read More:
- 20 Old-Fashioned Frugal Boomer Living Tips That You Should Still Be Doing Today
- 13 Things Frugal People Won’t Buy Ever
- 15 Ways To Live With Very, Very Little Money
