How did your grandparents save so much money? Sure, many things were less expensive back then, but that wasn’t the only reason — they knew how to manage their money. Here are six examples of simple money-saving methods that hearken back to your grandparents’ time.
Use Jars and Takeout Containers for Leftovers
You don’t need a fancy set of Tupperware for your leftovers — just the jar they started in. Rinse out jars and takeout containers for future foodstuff. It’s not always a considerable savings; you have to like cooking to make it really worth it. But considering how many restaurants are willing to part with high-quality containers, you might as well make the most of them.
Repair, Don’t Replace
Your grandparents couldn’t go online and buy a new coffee maker just because theirs was on the fritz. They probably wouldn’t have anyway because they knew how much value there was in taking matters into your own hands. So many things are easier to fix than you think. And now, with the internet and YouTube tutorials, you can get specific about what you’re trying to fix, down to the model and with detailed instructions.
Ignore Your Credit Cards — Save Up Instead
Your grandparents didn’t use credit to buy things. They saved their money for larger purchases, bypassing high-interest payments and teaching themselves financial discipline along the way. If you’re going to use your credit cards, pay them off immediately. And save up for larger purchases instead of spreading the expenses across a few years. You can’t always guarantee you’ll afford to pay for that expensive trip if you’re still making payments on it in five years, but you can when you throw the exact amount of cash at it day of purchase.
Use a List When Grocery Shopping
When was the last time you walked into a grocery store with a clear set plan? Most people don’t; they let the whims of their wants throw things into their cart without a care. It’s inarguably a fun way to shop, but certainly not the way you should if you want to save money. Instead, write a list of everything you need and don’t stray from it. Bonus style points for making your list based on the weekly sales that come in the mail.
Love What You Already Have
The consumerist mindset is relatively new. Older generations were appreciative of what they had, not constantly chasing after what they didn’t. And while this sounds like a mentality shift, it’s also a money-making tactic; loving what you already have means you’ll be less inclined to spend on things that society says you need but don’t.
Cook From Scratch
This ties in with the first example — cooking is something people see as optional now. But back in the day, everyone cooked. There wasn’t online ordering or delivery for anything within a five-mile radius. There was going your grandparents picking out fresh produce, cooking it, and enjoying it. Oh, and there were also more emergency funds because people could afford them. Wonder if that’s related… (it is).
