12 Ways to Save Money Like Your Grandma Did

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CJ Darnieder
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Things might be different now compared to when your grandma was younger, but saving money is timeless — and sometimes, so are the methods! Here are twelve ways your grandma can inspire you to be more thoughtful and resourceful with your money.

1. Grow Your Own Food

Senior woman picking tomatoes from vegetable garden.
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You don’t have to go full farmer to save money with growing food. Even something as simple as an herb garden in your window can save you from costly herbs at the grocery store.

2. Cook From Scratch

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We’re talking about cooking from the ground up. This means making your own bread, sauces, and anything else you can think of. The more you focus on from-scratch cooking, the more you’ll save.

3. Preserve Food

Home canning, canned vegetables
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Many households did canning, freezing, and drying without thinking. It was an excellent way to reduce food waste and have delicious vegetables at their peak ripeness even when they weren’t in season. And both of those benefits are still applicable today!

4. Try Homemade Gifts

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Handmade gifts have that personal touch you can’t buy at a store. Our grandmothers were experts at making everything from cards to scarves and anything else you can imagine—an economically sound way to show someone you care.

5. Keep a Tight Budget

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Nana was never loose with those purse strings and was rewarded handsomely for it with financial independence. Remember to make your budget and stick with it.

6. Enjoy Simple Pleasures

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Many life experiences don’t require a cent to enjoy. Our grandmas knew this, which is why they loved a good old-fashioned nature hike over a day at the amusement park.

7. Start an Emergency Fund

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Savings are important, but so is being ready for life’s unexpected changes. Take a leaf from grandma’s book and set cash aside so you don’t rely as much on borrowing.

8. Take Up Sewing

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Many grandmas know how to sew, and that’s not a coincidence; they saw it as an economical way to alter, fix, and even make their clothes, saving them a considerable amount of money.

9. Get Creative

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If a solution was too expensive, Grandma always found a way to make it happen for less. Think creatively when you need to spend and see if there’s a way you can cut costs rather than brute force with a credit or debit card.

10. Barter and Trade

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Grandmas loved bartering and trading with friends, family, and even neighbors. Bring back that tradition and see how simple and fun it can be to save through swaps.

11. Hang-Dry Clothing

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If you have access to a yard space, try drying your clothes outside instead of wasting energy with the dryer. Let the sun do most of the work for you, and enjoy the beautiful scent of nature when your clothes are dry!

12. Turn off the Lights

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Remember how adamant adults were about turning off a light when leaving the room? Turns out they were on to something; remembering to turn things off when you aren’t using them can save you a lot on utilities throughout the year.

20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today

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Many of today’s grandparents had parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression. They adopted many of the frugal living tips they learned and passed them on to their own children.

Grandkids sometimes think that they know everything and that their grandparents are out of touch with today’s world and reality. And while there might be a kernel of truth to that, grandparents still have a wealth of knowledge that can really help. They may need to be tweaked to fit the current world but they are still valuable.

20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today

30 Super Simple Ways To Save Money at Home in 2024

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Looking for some ways to save money at home? Now is the time to cut expenses, save some money, and keep your money in your wallet. Here are some simple ways to save money at home this year. Whether it’s as simple as switching what you buy when you go to the store or being a little more creative in the ways you use items in your home, maybe some of these ways will work for you!

Here are 30 ways to save money at home and put more in your pocket.

30 Super Simple Ways To Save Money at Home in 2024

20 Poor Hacks Frugal People Use on a Fairly Regular Basis

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Even if you’re not poor, you sometimes feel that way, and you probably have some tricks and tips for coping with that. In this article, we’ve compiled several poor hacks that people utilize at least a few times a month or even a week. It’s always good to share these hacks; we hope some of them help!

20 Poor Hacks Frugal People Use on a Fairly Regular Basis

28 Practical Ways Frugal People Save Lots of Money

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Saving money doesn’t have to mean saying goodbye to life’s little indulgences. With a few smart tweaks, you can stash away cash for that dream vacation, rainy day fund, or splurge-worthy purchase without feeling like you’re on a constant budget patrol.

Think of it as a side hustle that pays off without the extra hours. Whether you’re looking to conquer debt or simply boost your bank account, these tips are guaranteed to put more money in your pocket, painlessly.

28 Practical Ways Frugal People Save Lots of Money

I’m Frugal: Here Are My Top 30 Frugal Living Tips to Save Money

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I’m super frugal, and one of my passions is sharing my frugal living tips with everyone.

Here are some of my absolute favorite frugal tips to help you get started on your journey to frugal living.

I’m Frugal: Here Are My Top 30 Frugal Living Tips to Save Money

Author: CJ Darnieder

Bio:

CJ is a writer and musician from Chicago.  When he’s not practicing the divine art of stoicism, focusing on achieving a deafening inner quiet, or attempting to reconcile with the inherent powers of the universe, he loves to cook!

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