Why not learn how to be frugal from the people who originated it?
Frugality was instilled in our grandparents at a very young age, and here are six habits I learned from my Depression-era grandparents that changed how I thought about my finances.
I Cook From Scratch
Like many others, I fell victim to the siren call of my delivery apps, spending hundreds of dollars a month on things I could easily make myself if I had carved out the time for it. That’s exactly what I do now: I spend one day a week making staples that I can easily throw together or reheat. This helps me avoid processed food, control the food that goes into my body, and save a ton of money.
I Dry Clothes Outside
Driers are newer inventions. Back in the day, they’d use nature’s freest source of energy: the sun! It’s just as effective these days, so I use that to my advantage whenever I can. It’s not going to pay for my summer vacation anytime soon, but I honestly love hanging my clothes out to dry. They get this scent that you can only get from fresh air!
I Keep Track of Every Expense
My grandpa kept lists and ledgers. He could tell you everything he spent money on in the past year.
Me?
I don’t even remember how much my coffee was this morning.
Well, not anymore.
I’m now an avid budgeter, planning my purchases carefully and keeping track of every last cent. And there’s no excuse for me, either: he did it all by hand, but I (and we) now have apps to make this even easier!
I Find Joy in the Simple Things
My grandparents used to love sitting on the porch and playing cards. This entertained them for hours. There are no expensive outings, no subscription services, and no credit card debt. They simply enjoyed each other’s company and made their own fun. I’m doing the same.
One of the biggest things that’s helped is unplugging and “touching grass,” which basically means spending more time outside or with friends.
I Save Money
I used to spend money like it was burning a hole in my pocket (the actual term I’d hear from my grandparents, by the way). Our society always wants us to buy the latest and greatest, but older generations can sense that swindle from a mile away. I’ve built an emergency savings account into my budget, and I couldn’t be happier with how much peace of mind it’s given me.
I Make Do
We forget how much people had to go without, and they did just fine. In the era of Amazon same-day delivery, it’s so hard to argue against convenience. But the truth is that we’ve never needed it, and I’m starting to learn that many of these “convenient” purchases are just downright unnecessary.
I’m doing what they did and making the most of what I already have. I think before I buy, which has helped me cut back on impulse purchases considerably and healed my relationship with online shopping, too.
