6 Frugal Living Tips Your Grandma Swore by (And You Should Too)

X (Twitter) Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Flip it

Your grandma knew what she was doing. Long before coupon codes and budgeting apps, she was stretching dollars, repurposing leftovers, and somehow making everything last just a little bit longer.

And you know what?

Turns out, Grandma was right.

Let’s see how we can do what she did today!

1. Reuse Containers

We like to joke about Grandma’s fridge filled with old butter containers and not knowing what is in every container. But… have you seen the price of food containers? Reusing containers from other food is the best way to save money and lessen the amount of waste. If you don’t want to use plastic containers, you can still save all the glass jars you get from pickles, sauce, and juice.

2. Cook From Scratch

Buying pre-made ingredients, such as mixtures or doughs, will always be more expensive than cooking from scratch.

While it may take longer, cooking from scratch is a grandma-saving tip.

You should start making some things from scratch, including pancakes, pizza, sauces, peanut butter, yogurt, bread crumbs, rotisserie chicken, and fruit jams.

3. Learn Tips To Preserve Food Well

So much food goes to waste because of how they are stored.

Using old-fashioned tricks can help you keep your vegetables and fruits fresher for longer.

For starters, most refrigerated fresh products stay fresher for longer when stored sealed. Have them stored in airtight containers or ziplock bags.

Also, learn to differentiate fruits and vegetables that belong in the fridge from those that belong on the kitchen counter. Some, like tomatoes, onions, peaches, bananas, and avocados, belong in a cool, dark, and dry place on your kitchen counter.

4. Use Hand-Me-Downs

Before buying anything, consider asking your friends and family if they have one they’d like to pass down. If you are lucky, you can get one at very low prices or for free.

The best hand-me-downs include baby items like clothes and kitchen tools, maternity clothes, books, jewelry, and furniture.

You could also choose to borrow, use, and give them back. For instance, if you want to try new recipes, you could ask your friends to lend you one instead of getting a new recipe book. This is also a great thing to try for children’s books.

5. Mend and Repair

Take your time and learn how to repair and mend items; it will save you so much money.

You want to learn to do simple repairs for your car, air conditioner, furnace, washing machine, and other household equipment.

No matter how minor the issue, hiring professionals for simple repairs will always incur significant costs.

6. Bartering and Trading

Bartering and trading goods with others will allow you to access goods and services without depleting your budget.

One example would be offering your plumbing or realtor services to your landlord for a discounted rent price. You can also trade items you do not need for what you need. Find your town’s local bartering group and see if you find people interested in what you are offering.