There are some things that should be left in the past, but these 18 old-fashioned frugal living tips are not among them.
These old-fashioned frugality tips need to be brought back so we can all start saving money again and start living frugally!
Share Expensive Items
This is a great idea among friends or trustworthy neighbors. For example, maybe one person has a riding mower, another has a snowblower, and yet another has an RV. You can share these things rather than everybody having to get their own.
Make Your Own Jellies, Jams, Etc.
These are pretty easy to make and cost less than buying a jar at the store. You can make a whole lot more than what a jar contains. Just make sure you have the storage space and materials before starting. And of course, always follow safe food practices when canning or storing food.
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.
Save Your Butter Paper
When you finish or unwrap a stick of butter, you can save the butter paper in the freezer. Then, you can use it to butter a pan in the future.
Make a Regular Menu
Planning meals in advance and sticking to a schedule helps with budgeting and buying the right amount of things. 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 when 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 this along.
Keep Appliances Simple
Buying appliances like dishwashers and washing machines might be necessary in today’s day and age, but look out 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 keeps 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 Plastic Shopping Bags
If they don’t have holes, plastic shopping bags are good for trash can liners, throwing away used cat litter, and future shopping trips. If you can’t reuse them, see if a local store has a collection bin for recycling them.
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.
Seek Daycare From Family and Friends
Daycare facilities are really expensive, and many have long waiting lists to get in. If you have family or friends willing to provide daycare either free or at a much lower cost, you’ll save a lot of money and know that your kids are with someone you know and trust. Build a village, and you’ll be thrilled with how much money you save and how much less stressful life is.
Pick Up Change You Find on the Ground
Don’t worry about being laughed at if you do this. That change adds up, and you can pay for things like a soda when you stop for gas or a snack from a vending machine. It can also help you make exact change when paying with cash so you don’t have more change that just sits in your wallet.
You can also set up a jar for all the coins you find and use that to treat yourself to a coffee or soda every once in a while.
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!
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