Questioning larger purchases, tightening purse strings, and budgeting for almost everything — where have we seen this before? History isn’t known for its originality, but we can often use that to our advantage, especially regarding finances. These are lesser-known money-saving tips from the Great Depression: They worked then, and they’re working now.
Clean Sweep Your Pantry Before Grocery Shopping
Meals in the Great Depression were informed by using what you already had, not by what you thought looked good on a whim. If you want to save big on groceries, do a thorough investigation of your pantry and build your shopping list based on what’s there. Bonus points for doing this before you meal plan; knowing and using what’s on hand prevents spoilage, saving you even more money in the long run.
Buy In Bulk (When It Makes Sense)
Many consumers assume buying in bulk is always the wiser choice. And they’re usually right — provided you use what you purchase. Buying in bulk is an excellent strategy until it’s a trap, convincing buyers that they’re getting a deal for something they don’t use before it expires. Bulk purchases were a big thing in The Great Depression, but so was being aware of potential waste.
Use Cash Over Credit
We’ve become reliant on credit cards over the years — many would argue too reliant. Pay with your debit card or, even better, cold hard cash for more things. Using paper bills to pay for things, like “fun” or frivolous purchases, makes you more mindful about what you spend. You might be asking, “What did people do before they couldn’t afford to buy something right then and there?” Well, they didn’t buy it. And that’s kind of the point.
Grow Your Own Food
The days where you had a handful of acres to grow a cornfield may be gone. But since the days of spending $6 on basil you use once are here, it’s time to get serious about growing your own food again. Many people grew whatever they could back in the Great Depression. No matter where you live or how much space you have, you still have ways to grow herbs, vegetables, and even fruit. Even the least green thumbs could grow hardy herbs you can tuck away on a windowsill and save themselves a trip to the store where temptation runs rampant.
Adopt “Nose to Tail” Cooking
Any frugal meat-eating gourmands who want a Great Depression-era tip, heed this advice: use more of the animal. If you’re planning on making chicken for dinner, buy the whole chicken. Repurpose all of it, even if it’s just to make stock or broth. Freeze what you can’t use. Don’t be afraid to try unique cuts or organ meat. Most cultures have exciting, delicious recipes you can try if the idea of cooking with these foreign cuts intimidates you.
Learn To Fix Your Clothes
Fast fashion is a financial dream killer, not to mention a significant global issue that impacts our planet’s health. The idea that you would just buy new clothes whenever you wanted them would be laughable in the Great Depression; you’d repair them with a patch and a few stitches. This wasn’t just because the money wasn’t available — there was no reason to replace something that took a few minutes to fix. That alone is an excellent mindset we should readopt.
