There are certain things that we need to keep doing even as they might be considered “outdated” or “old-fashioned”. These back-in-the-day money habits are things that people used to do all the time. Even though they aren’t modern (and don’t get me wrong- there are tons of modern ways to save money that are great), they still can save you a fortune today.
Put Cash in Envelopes
Grandma didn’t use credit cards or fancy savings accounts- she had cash and coins. When she wanted to save money for something specific, she put it into an envelope. The Cash Envelope System is a great way to save money for sinking funds or specific life events.
Want some cute cash envelopes to help you get started? Buy some here!
Cook Your Meals at Home
Pre-packaged meals, takeouts, and frequent dinners in restaurants can be expensive. You can practice frugality like Grandma by preparing delicious meals from scratch. By shopping for groceries and planning your meals for the week or month, you can save hundreds of dollars every month that can go into your retirement or investment account.
Explore Free Activities
Explore free activities to keep you occupied. You could go for a family picnic, organize a potluck dinner at home with friends, or play board games with family as you talk. Our Grandmas focused more on experiences than material wealth and were content with what they had. That’s something we can replicate to help us save money.
Conserve Energy
Our grandparents were very conservative and would find ways to save every coin. You can also conserve energy like Grandma by unplugging electronics when not in use, line drying your clothes, investing in energy-efficient appliances, and switching to energy-efficient light bulbs.
Repair Damaged Items
If you’re creative and willing to do the work yourself, you can save money by repairing damaged items instead of purchasing new ones. Fixing broken chairs, sealing leaky faucets, and mending torn clothes can extend the life of these items, saving you hundreds of dollars each year.
Line Dry Your Clothes
Did your Grandma hang her clothes on the line? You should too!
Hanging your clothes on a line or drying rack saves you money, as you don’t have to use the dryer often. You’ll also preserve fabrics by extending their life, which saves you more money in the long run.
Read More:
- 20 Books That People Say Are Life-Changing Reads
- 50 Useful Pieces of Random Advice
- Living Your Best Life: 16 Practical Tips To Live Your Best Life
