Many Americans are feeling the pinch of the rising costs of living. You may wonder if it’s still possible to live within your means and manage with limited income.
The good news is that you can live within a budget and even save with little 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. There are many frugal living lessons from this era that we can learn 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 use 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.
11. Turn off Lights and Appliances When You’re Not Using Them
Power bills are going up, and you can combat that by not using any power that you don’t need. It may not seem like a lot but it will save you money once you get into the habit of doing this (and you will help the environment).
12. Take Shorter Showers
Both water and power are involved in your shower. Keep it short so that you aren’t spending too much to get clean.
13. Hang Clothes to Dry Instead of Using the Dryer
Hanging your clothes to dry saves you money on the use of a dryer, but it also helps save your clothes from unnecessary damage.
14. Weatherize Your Home To Reduce Energy Costs
If your home isn’t weatherized, some of the energy you pay for is simply leaking out. Keep the heat or cooling in with weatherizing.
15. Plant Trees Around Your Home To Provide Shade and Reduce Cooling Costs
Trees cool down the area around them. When your home is in that area, it can keep your home much cooler when it’s hot outside.
16. Find Free or Low-Cost Activities To Enjoy, Such as Going to the Library, Park, or Museum
There are countless things to do that are free. They can be a great way to spend your leisure time without spending your money.
17. Make Your Own Entertainment, Such as Playing Games, Reading, or Writing
These are all fun activities that you can do anywhere for little to no cost. You can do these alone or with others who want to have fun.
18. Walk, Bike, or Take Public Transportation Instead of Driving
Driving costs can be extremely high. Avoid those expenses as often as possible by seeking out alternative travel methods. Our grandparents certainly didn’t drive everywhere!
19. Buy Used Items Instead of New
There are many places to find used items that are in great condition. Use a website, an app, or a local group to find used items.
21. Sell Unwanted Items at Garage Sales or Online
If you have extra items you don’t need, selling them is a great way to make some extra money. Use a selling app or have a garage sale to make that cash.
