The Great Depression, which spanned from 1929 to the late 1930s, was a time of extreme economic hardship. People were forced to stretch every dollar, reuse items, and make do with very little. Many of the frugal habits that emerged during this time are timeless and can still be applied to modern life. Whether you’re looking to cut costs, save for the future, or live more sustainably, these 65 frugal tips from the Great Depression will help you embrace a more economical lifestyle.
1. Grow Your Own Food
- Start a garden, even if it’s small, to grow your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Not only does this save money on groceries, but it also ensures a fresh, healthy diet.
2. Preserve Food
- Learn how to can, pickle, and dry foods to extend their shelf life. This was a common practice during the Depression to ensure food lasted through the winter months.
3. Cook from Scratch
- Avoid processed foods and make meals from basic ingredients. Cooking from scratch is cheaper, healthier, and more rewarding.
4. Make Use of Leftovers
- Never waste food. Use leftovers to create new meals, such as turning roasted chicken into soup or casserole the next day.
5. Buy in Bulk
- Purchase staples like rice, beans, flour, and sugar in bulk to save money over time.
6. Ration and Stretch Ingredients
- During the Depression, people learned to stretch expensive ingredients like meat by adding fillers such as potatoes, bread, or vegetables.
7. Embrace Simple Meals
- Stick to simple, inexpensive meals like soups, stews, casseroles, and bread-based dishes.
8. Use What You Have
- Before buying something new, check if you can repurpose, repair, or reuse what you already own.
9. Make Your Own Bread
- Baking your own bread is much cheaper and often healthier than store-bought varieties.
10. Mend Clothing
- Learn basic sewing skills to repair clothes instead of buying new ones.
11. Hand-Me-Down Clothes
- Pass down clothes between siblings, cousins, or friends to reduce the need to purchase new items.
12. Buy Secondhand
- Shop at thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets for gently used items. Many Depression-era families relied on secondhand clothing and goods.
13. Barter with Neighbors
- Trade goods or services with neighbors to save money on items you may need, like fresh produce, eggs, or tools.
14. Line-Dry Clothes
- Save on electricity by hanging your laundry to dry outdoors or indoors on a drying rack.
15. Make Your Own Cleaning Supplies
- Create homemade cleaning solutions using inexpensive ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.
16. Reuse Containers
- Save glass jars, tins, and plastic containers to store leftovers or household items instead of buying new ones.
17. Collect Rainwater
- Use rain barrels to collect water for your garden, reducing your water bill.
18. Use Cloth Instead of Paper
- Switch to cloth napkins, towels, and reusable cleaning rags instead of disposable paper products.
19. Make Do and Mend
- Fix and maintain what you already own rather than buying new. This could be furniture, tools, or household items.
20. Cut Hair at Home
- Learn how to cut your family’s hair at home, a skill many Depression-era families developed to avoid salon costs.
21. Limit Heating and Cooling
- Use blankets, layers of clothing, and space heaters in winter, and fans and ventilation in summer to reduce reliance on HVAC systems.
22. Batch Cook
- Prepare large batches of food and freeze portions for later. This saves time and energy costs.
23. Save Vegetable Scraps
- Use vegetable scraps, like peels and stems, to make homemade broth.
24. Make Your Own Gifts
- Handcraft gifts for holidays and special occasions to save money and add a personal touch.
25. Plan Meals Around Sales
- Plan your meals based on what’s on sale at the grocery store to maximize savings.
26. Avoid Processed Foods
- Processed foods are often more expensive and less nutritious. Stick to whole, unprocessed ingredients.
27. Buy Generic
- Store-brand or generic products are often just as good as name brands but cost significantly less.
28. Use Coupons Wisely
- Clip and use coupons for items you regularly buy, and watch for sales to combine discounts.
29. Stock Up During Sales
- When non-perishable items go on sale, stockpile them to avoid paying full price later.
30. Reduce Meat Consumption
- Meat was often a luxury during the Depression. Incorporate more plant-based meals to save on expensive proteins.
31. Save Energy
- Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use to reduce your electricity bill.
32. Use a Clothesline
- Instead of a dryer, hang your clothes outside to dry, which saves energy and money.
33. Repurpose Old Clothes
- Turn old or worn-out clothes into cleaning rags, quilts, or even new garments.
34. Learn Basic Carpentry
- Fix or build furniture and other household items instead of buying them.
35. DIY Repairs
- Learn to do simple home repairs, such as fixing leaky faucets or patching holes in walls, to save on professional services.
36. Make Your Own Soap
- Homemade soap is easy to make, and it’s both economical and customizable.
37. Batch Errands
- Combine errands into one trip to save on gas and time.
38. Carpool
- Share rides with friends or coworkers to save on transportation costs.
39. Walk or Bike More
- Whenever possible, walk or bike instead of driving to save on fuel and reduce wear and tear on your vehicle.
40. Use Cloth Diapers
- For families with babies, cloth diapers are a cost-effective alternative to disposables.
41. DIY Beauty Treatments
- Make your own beauty treatments at home, such as facials, hair masks, and manicures.
42. Share Tools and Equipment
- Borrow or share tools and equipment with neighbors instead of purchasing them for one-time use.
43. Entertain at Home
- Host movie nights, potlucks, or game nights at home instead of going out.
44. Use Public Libraries
- Borrow books, movies, and other resources from the library rather than buying them.
45. Save on Phone Bills
- Switch to a more affordable cell phone plan, and avoid paying for unnecessary features.
46. Use Reusable Bags
- Bring your own reusable bags when shopping to avoid fees and reduce plastic waste.
47. Create a Budget
- Track your spending and create a budget to ensure you’re living within your means.
48. Practice Delayed Gratification
- If you’re tempted to buy something, wait a few days to see if you still want or need it.
49. Repair Instead of Replace
- When something breaks, try to repair it before considering buying a new one.
50. Collect and Use Freebies
- Take advantage of free samples, coupons, and promotions to save money on household items.
51. Use a Thermos
- Bring homemade coffee, tea, or water in a thermos instead of buying drinks on the go.
52. Freeze Excess Food
- Freeze leftover meals, bread, or fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf life and reduce waste.
53. Grow Herbs Indoors
- Growing herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley in pots saves money on store-bought herbs.
54. Skip Expensive Beverages
- Stick to water, homemade tea, or coffee instead of purchasing expensive sodas or fancy coffee drinks.
55. DIY Home Decor
- Create your own home decor from inexpensive or recycled materials.
56. Avoid Credit Card Debt
- Pay with cash or debit cards, and avoid carrying a balance on credit cards to prevent interest charges.
57. Practice Minimalism
- Reduce clutter and focus on purchasing only what you truly need.
58. Cut Cable
- Switch to more affordable streaming services or enjoy free content online instead of paying for cable.
59. DIY Laundry Detergent
- Make your own laundry detergent using simple, inexpensive ingredients like baking soda and borax.
60. Use Cloth Instead of Paper Products
- Opt for cloth napkins and towels instead of disposable paper products.
61. Store Food Properly
- Invest in airtight containers to store food, preventing spoilage and reducing waste.
62. Focus on Preventative Care
- Prioritize your health through good nutrition, exercise, and regular check-ups to avoid costly medical bills down the road.
63. Practice Gratitude
- Focus on being thankful for what you have, which helps curb the desire to spend on unnecessary things.
64. DIY Gifts
- Make thoughtful, homemade gifts for loved ones instead of buying expensive store-bought items.
65. Create a Rainy Day Fund
- Set aside even a small amount each month to build an emergency savings fund for unexpected expenses.
Conclusion
By adopting these 65 frugal habits, you can save money, live more sustainably, and stretch your budget further. Whether you’re facing financial hardship or just looking to be more mindful with your spending, these timeless tips from the Great Depression era will help you live a more resourceful and rewarding life.
