Grandpa was an old-fashioned man. He worked hard, took life seriously, and made things work. His stoicism and grit were based on pasts we didn’t know much about. Grandpa grew up poor. Poorer than we could imagine today. He didn’t have the life that we have. There were no apps. There was no running to the store. There was no concept of “hauls” or “soft-life”.
We’ve obviously moved far away from that, and I have no intention of going back to those times. But… the old-fashioned, simple life that he led can teach us a lot of lessons in simplicity and being happy with less. And that is something worth emulating.
Here are some of Granpa’s frugal living tips that we can use today.
1. Use the Envelope Cash System
Grandpa paid for things in cash. He counted out bills to pay for things he needed, and he saved his cash for big purchases. There was no credit or spending more than what you have. We can do the same thing by embracing a cash envelope system of budgeting. This involves dividing our paycheck into cash that is placed into envelopes to pay for different expenses.
Read More: How To Use the Cash Envelope System To Budget Your Money Effectively
2. Fix Things
Grandpa knew his way around tools, and he didn’t throw something away just because it broke. While we aren’t going to build our own houses, there is no reason why we can’t spend some time trying to fix things so that they work and last longer.
3. Eat Less Meat
Modern culture has told us that real men eat meat, but nothing can be further from the truth. Grandpa didn’t sit down to a steak dinner every night and certainly not for lunch. When he did have meat or chicken, it was put into soups, stews, and dishes that made it stretch. He ate hearty bean stews and enjoyed simple food.
4. Stayed Home
Grandpa didn’t go out and party at clubs. If he did go out, it was for a walk or a ride. If he got a drink at a bar, it was one drink. He read, he spent time with his family, and he focused on cheap and free entertainment (when he did have fun). That’s not to say you can never have fun. Of course, you should, but try to find free and cheap activities to do. nothing beats exploring our beautiful world and enjoying the simple basics.
Read More:
- Living Stingy: A Guide To Saving Money
- The Frugal Lifestyle vs the Cheap Mentality: What’s the Difference?
- 12 Unethical but Effective Ways People Make Money
