Maybe we should take a look at the people of that era and review some valuable lessons from those who went through one of the most difficult economic times in American history and apply it to today.
Do you need the Stuff? Do you really need the latest and greatest smart phone, a Kindle or an iPad?
During the Great Depression, people usually made do with what they had.
We tend to want the newest, latest, and greatest widget to feel better, impress the neighbors, or to have a new shiny toy.
Stop impulse buying = learn to make do, or if you really need something (need not want), buy it used or second hand.
Save, Save, Save
The people in the Depression era saved money as best they could and tried very hard to reduce spending as much as possible.
A good rule is for every dollar you spend, save a dollar. Put back as much as you put out. If you try to do this, you will see how much you really spend unnecessarily.
Did you know we throw away hundreds of dollars every day?
That’s right, by not using coupons, we throw away needless amount of money every day. By checking your junk mail or the latest Sunday newspaper, we could be saving a few dollars every day going grocery shopping. It is a must-do in today’s world.
Shop Locally if at all possible, they money you spend in your community is recircled 7 times.... and if you don't support what you have, you will be traveling further to get those items.
Look for Discounts BEFORE You Shop
As a rule, never shop online at a retailer without first looking for coupon codes or deals online for that particular retailer. Popular retailers always offer great discounts and you should first look for these offers prior to travel.
The library is a frugally minded person’s best friend - and often overlooked.
Repurpose Items
Saving isn’t just about money. We throw things away that we can use again for other purposes. For example, when you get home from the grocery store you unpack all the groceries from the plastic bags and throw them (the bags) away. Why not reuse them as trash can liners for small cans? Save money on trash bags and reduce some environmental concerns at the same time. Be creative by start looking at disposable items for alternative uses, you might be surprised what you come up with.
Save Special Items for Special Occasions
We tend to treat ourselves often. Just take a look at the ice cream and snack isles at your grocery store then next time you’re there. They are usually filled with people putting things in their carts. How often do you buy ‘special’ items? During the Great Depression, sweets and snacks were ‘special’ because they didn’t have them very often. We can learn a thing or two by copying this mentality. Only allow snacks or treats for special occasions. Of course, buy them when they are on sale or you have a coupon, but don’t buy them often. You’ll save money, be healthier, and have a greater appreciation for those ‘special’ items and events because they will actually be special.Barter
During the Great Depression, people were short on money but they weren’t short on brains. If a roofer knew a tailor needed a leaky roof repaired he might offer to fix the roof in exchange for some clothing or mending of existing clothes.We can do the same things today. Make a list of things you have and things you can do, and then talk with friends and family to see what they have or need. You might be surprised what you can get for a bit of work or through barter and trade.
Decrease driving: by grouping as many errands together as possible. You can donate one day to driving around instead of going out every day or two to run one simple errand. In addition, be sure to walk or bike for shorter distances.
Pay your bills without a postage stamp. Online bill paying has been around for quite awhile; or, if you’re trying to limit your online computer use, many companies will allow you to set up a system where they automatically take the money from your checking account. You may not think that saving a few stamps here and there is important, but every little bit helps.
Eat out less, cook at home more. A nice dinner at a restaurant is a good thing every now and then; it rewards you for your efforts and is a nice change of pace. However, fast food places are the worst! Fast food =Big money. Many fast food restaurants these days have dollar menus, and that’s great; if for no other reason cook your food at home because it’s healthier, you know what’s in it and how was prepared.
Not all airlines are equal. Check into discounted air fares like Southwest. Southwest, for instance, is one of the few airlines these days that do not charge for baggage
Utilizing grocery store circulars and cutting out coupons are great ways to save when you’re doing that health conscious shopping. Take advantage of sales, produce in season, free samples and double coupon days. It’s not necessary to buy generic, unless that’s what you like, when many grocery stores have good prices on name brands advertised in their fliers.
Consider dropping your movie channel. The library is a great place to “rent” movies for free. If your library is severely limited, ‘Red Box’ only charges $1.00 per night for movie rentals. A bowl of popcorn and a free or inexpensive movie is a great family night or date night.
Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. I mentioned making your own cleaning products earlier; you can apply that to your laundry as well. Using vinegar as a stain remover, making fabric softener and dryer sheets yourself or even concocting your own powdered detergent are all ways of saving
There are a lot of lessons we can learn from our elders. If you are lucky enough to have one in your life that lived through the Great Depression, even as a child, sit down and ask what they remember about life. Take some notes and see if anything can be used today. You might be surprised at what you can do to live more frugal tomorrow.
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