A simple Google search for the best money-saving tips will have you spoilt for choice. The internet has multiple money-saving techniques, from creating an interest-earning account to automating savings.
But did you know there are still some traditional saving techniques to help you save a ton of money?
Our grandparents never had access to technology to automate their savings, but we can still learn valuable lessons from them today. Here are some traditional, contemporary saving tactics that still work today.
Budgeting
How often have we heard about the importance of creating a monthly budget but have not done so? While technology has led to the introduction of budgeting applications, budget planners, and spreadsheets to track your expenses, you can opt for the old-fashioned way of budgeting.
You can use paper and a pen to calculate your expenses to determine how much you should save. Alternatively, you can use the envelope budgeting method by getting an envelope for your spending categories like groceries, utility bills, clothing, and more. Put some amount into each envelope, and put receipts for each purchase in the envelope to track your purchases.
Learn How To Make Products at Home Instead of Purchasing Them
You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on cleaning supplies or everyday baked goods. There are a lot of YouTube tutorials on how to make DIY cleaning supplies, bake your bread, or even grow groceries in your backyard. Cooking from scratch using readily available ingredients and making coffee at home to carry to work can help you save money you’d spend eating out daily.
Use Cash When Possible
The phrase “buy now, pay later” has led many individuals to view credit cards as a modern-day convenience. Unfortunately, credit cards only encourage you to spend more. Failure to pay your credit card balance in full can also lead to accrued interest, adding to the cost of the original purchase. Paying cash for everything allows you to track your spending and makes it easier to stick to a budget.
Repair What’s Broken
You can save more money by fixing broken items in your home. Items like furniture, window screens, leaky pipes, electrical appliances, and handbags can be easily repaired by following tutorials. Clothing items can be mended using the right tools to prolong the time spent, and check out affordable deals for replacing the item.
Buy Thrift Items
You don’t have to shop for new clothes, electronics, furniture, or other household items every time, especially if your budget doesn’t allow it. Thrift stores extensively discount fairly used items; you can find anything from appliances and furniture to rare collectibles and clothing. Furthermore, thrift stores can help you get unique, high-quality products at affordable prices.
Spend Less Than You Earn
Our grandparents knew how to have a good time without spending a fortune. They knew how to spend less than they earned, which helped them save more money. Tracking your spending, eliminating unnecessary expenses, and downsizing can help you spend less than you earn, allowing you to put away funds for expenses like school fees, rent, and other large purchases.
Plan Your Meals
Meal planning doesn’t have to be boring or done for every meal. However, planning your meals can help you save money by ensuring you buy only what you need, reducing the need to eat out often, and making fewer grocery shopping trips. Start by checking what you already have, creating a meal plan, writing a shopping list, and shopping around for good discounts.
Declutter To Earn Extra Money
Do you still have old furniture that’s still functional? Old books, toys or games? You can sell unused items and earn extra money. Take advantage of garage sales or online marketplaces to declutter. You can invest the earned cash into your savings account or other investments.
Feeling overwhelmed by clutter? Join the 30 Bags in 30 Days Declutter Challenge and take the first step toward a more organized home! This free printable makes it easy to stay on track with one simple goal each day—no stress, just steady progress. Download it now and start clearing space for what truly matters.
Compare Prices To Get the Best Deal
Back in the day, comparison shopping was an excellent way to find the best deals and save extra money. Start by going through online platforms before visiting physical retail shops. Comparison shopping saves you money by giving you access to affordable alternatives, reducing impulse buying, and increasing your price awareness.
Entertain at Home
A lot of money is spent entertaining friends and families at restaurants and hotels. You can save money by inviting your friends to potluck dinners or game nights. Hosting at home allows you to plan, think of DIY fun activities, and budget for food and entertainment.
Practice Frugal Shopping
A popular traditional saving technique you can practice today is to practice mindful shopping. Consider your shopping choices, look for discounts and sales, and compare prices. Opt for store-brand products instead of brand names to save money.
Conserve Energy
In the past, grandmothers would ensure all electronics were unplugged and switch off the lights when no one was using them. That helped them save money on energy bills. You can also conserve energy and save money by turning off appliances when not using them, hanging your clothes outside instead of a dryer, adjusting your thermostat, and keeping your HVAC filters clean.
Consider Recycling Things at Home
Our grandparents never had access to recycling centers but understood the need to reuse and recycle. They could convert dresses to quilts, wash aluminum foil for reuse, and use rinsed rice water for healthier nails and hair. You can reuse old plastic bags as trash bin liners, use plastic water bottles as planters for seedlings, or use food scraps as compost. Recycling will save you money and reduce waste.
Use Public Transportation
Regular public transport can help you save money on maintenance, insurance, and gas. You can also carpool with family, friends, or coworkers to save on transportation costs.
Learn How To Make Extra Money on the Side
It was common to find senior citizens with side hustles back in the day. They would chop fire and sell it locally, make homemade quilts, or sell farm produce by setting up a farm stand at home or the farmer’s market. You can earn extra cash by delivering groceries, selling printables online, starting a YouTube channel, dog walking, or delivering packages.
Old-Fashioned Saving Tips
While we enjoy the convenience of credit cards, online shopping, buying new items, and private transportation, some may cost more than we can afford.
It’s possible to save a lot more money by being mindful about our spending, budgeting, cooking meals at home, buying generic brands, doing minor repairs yourself, and using cash whenever possible. All these old-fashioned saving tips will give you an extra coin for a rainy day.
