During The Great Depression people did not have a lot. In fact, every cent counted. People quickly learned how to save as much money as possible and to live on less. While that time period was a dark time in American History it was also a testament to how creative and resourceful people can be.
There are many frugal living tips we can learn from The Great Depression. Even if we don’t have to live like they did, we can certainly learn from them. These Great Depression-inspired frugal living tips will help you save money and live on less- a lot less.
1. Cook From Scratch
Making food at home from scratch instead of buying processed foods or prepared meals is always a good way to save money. You can and should cook food at home instead of heading out to eat. There is basically nothing you can’t make at home if you have some time and patience.
2. Grow Your Own Food
You can beat the high cost of produce by growing your own at home. This can also be a fun activity that you can do with your family. Don’t feel pressured to buy expensive seeds and starters. Focus on native plants that will grow easily and get started by propagating, seeing if neighbors have starters and seeds to share, or check out your local library to see if they have free seeds.
3. Preserve Food by Canning, Freezing, or Drying
When you’ve grown some food, you can prepare the extras so that you’ll have these foods ready when it isn’t growing season. Don’t throw the extras out freeze them, dehydrate them, and can them for later.
4. Use Leftovers
Are you in the habit of throwing out leftovers? Kick the habit and start serving up leftovers as the next meal. there are so many creative ways you can use even small amounts of leftover food to make sure that nothing goes to waste.
5. Repair Clothes and Other Items Instead of Replacing Them
During the Depression, items were used for as long as possible. This can include mending your clothes and continuing to use them.
6. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
It’s less expensive to make a cleaning product using simple ingredients, and it may even be healthier for your household. You don’t need fancy cleaning supplies. You’d be suprised what bleach, water and vinegar can do!
7. Barter, Trade and Borrow
Get things the old-fashioned way by trading with others. You have plenty that you don’t need, and this can be your ticket to the things you do need. There are many things that you can borrow either from the library or from friends and neighbors. Don’t buy something that you only need for a short time.
8. Take Care of Your Belongings So They Last Longer
To avoid replacement costs, take care of the things you have. Don’t think of your things as being disposable.
9. Turn off Lights and Appliances When You’re Not Using Them
Power bills are going up, and you can combat that by not using any power that you don’t need. You don’t need the lights on during the day and you don’t need the AC or heat on all the time.
10. Take Shorter Showers
Both water and power are involved in your shower. Keep it short so that you aren’t spending too much to get clean.
11. Hang Clothes to Dry Instead of Using the Dryer
Hanging your clothes to dry saves you money on the use of a dryer, but it also helps save your clothes from unnecessary damage.
12. Walk, Bike, or Take Public Transportation Instead of Driving
Driving costs can be extremely high. Avoid those expenses as often as possible by seeking out alternative travel methods. The best thing to do would be to walk as often as possible.
13. Buy Used Items Instead of New
There are many places to find used items that are in great condition. Use a website, an app, or a local group to find used items. You should also check out thrift stores. This is a great way to find used items. These stores sell a wide range of items, and you’ll pay less for them than if the items were new.
14. Live Below Your Means
Your budget should come in below what you make so that there’s money left over. When you live below your means, you can pay down debt and work on your savings.
15. Use Coffee Grounds Twice
There’s still a lot of life in coffee grounds once they’ve been used. Use them twice to save half of what you pay for your coffee.
16. Use Leftover Cooking Water To Make Soup or Broth
Cooking water can have a lot of flavor in it, so don’t let it go to waste. Make something delicious with it.
17. Turn Old Clothes Into Rags or Quilts
Once clothes are finally completely worn out, you can use them as wash rags. For quilters, they’re a great source of fabric.
18. Raise Chickens for Eggs and Meat
Chickens are inexpensive to keep, and they can give you a lot of food for a long time. This is especially true now when the cost of eggs are getting higher and higher.
19. Help Out Neighbors and Friends in Need
Helping others can be extremely satisfying. It can also mean that you have people who will help you out when you’re in need.
The Great Depression was almost a century ago, but it’s still teaching us lessons. The many ways that people saved money during this desperate time can still be used today to save money, get out of debt, and have enough savings for emergencies.
All of these tips can mean the difference between meeting your financial goals and being left behind financially.
