9 Old-Fashioned Frugal Living Tips You Need To Bring Back

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!

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.

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. 

 

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