How were grandma and grandpa so “flush” with cash? Well, it’s partially thanks to their modesty with spending, but the wisdom of earlier generations just so happens to be just as “flush” with money-saving morsels. Here are six tips you can pick up to turn your finances around.
Cook at Home More Often
There’s nothing quite like your grandparent’s cooking — at least, that’s what you think. But the truth is you could be the one making incredibly comforting dinners for yourself every night. Whether it’s meal prepping yourself a dinner or two here or there or prepping a few snacks so you don’t stop to satiate yourself, find more ways to add cooking to the menu.
Fix Clothes, Don’t Just Throw Them Out
Grandma was always a whiz with a needle. Fortunately, teaching yourself a few simple stitches can make you an expert just as quickly. The existence of the internet means that we can teach ourselves to do virtually anything in an afternoon. So the next time you notice a hole in your jeans, don’t go to a fast fashion website — type “how to fix jeans” into your search engine of choice, learn a new skill, and save yourself the money/trouble.
Shop Secondhand First
It doesn’t matter if you’re in the market for a new pair of sandals or a professional-grade air fryer: it’s always smart to see what’s available secondhand. People are willing to part with perfectly good items at a fraction of their original cost. Your grandparents knew that one person’s trash was another’s treasure. Yet that’s probably even truer now than it was back then, with how freely people will toss something out (like a pair of jeans you know how to fix)!
Get Creative With Your Pantry
Your grandparents’ motto: waste not, want not. They grew up in an age where food waste was not just a privilege, it was downright disrespectful to the people who made it possible for you to have it in your fridge. With that in mind, use every last bit of what you have — this could be veggie scraps, chicken bones, stale bread — whatever it is, you can guarantee there’s a use for it if you’re creative enough (or if you just head back to that search engine).
Make a Shopping List
Many people want to make a grocery list. They say it sounds nice in theory. But few follow through on it, and those who do also sometimes abandon it for the shiny-looking endcaps. It’s simple: make a shopping list and stick to it. No, it’s not necessarily easy. Still, impulse purchases are a luxury your grandparents couldn’t afford. And frankly, you probably can’t either.
Air Dry Your Laundry
Our final entry to this list is one that we recommend to everyone, if only it means you get to go outside and stare at a tree today: air dry your laundry.
Many older generations didn’t have dryers and relied solely on the sun and a clothesline. Not only did this mean buying a dryer was obsolete (depending on the climate), but they also didn’t have to deal with the added energy costs. This requires more effort, time, and planning, but it’s gratifying and can have a significant impact on your monthly bills.
Read More:
- 30 Ways To Get Free Stuff (That Aren’t Scams)
- 12 Best Coupon Apps To Help You Save Money
- 13 Ways To Earn Money From Paid Surveys [At Home, Online & More]
