If there is one thing our older generations are right about, it is kids aren’t learning the same valuable skills growing up that their parents did. Nowadays, everything is treated as expendable, and those costs can add up quickly.
Instilling some old-fashioned values in younger generations, especially those that save cash is important. If you find yourself throwing things out often, maybe it is time to consider a few of these tried-and-true essential money-saving skills.
Fixing Your Car
While cars have become more complex, some things can’t be fixed at home. Car brands are stingy and have precious multi-thousand-dollar scan tools their computer systems rely upon. With that said, not everyone has a new car, and even new cars have some easy fixes. The primary repairs any adult should learn to do are brake replacements, oil changes, and plug/coil replacements.
It is as easy as one Google search of your make and model, and you can learn exactly what it takes to do these easy-yet-pricey repairs. Due to their ease, these replacements make great starting points and require very few tools. Not only that but brake and plug/coil replacements can each save a few hundred dollars. Oil changes save a little less, but due to how often they need to happen, it adds up. Learning these skills will also help you better understand when you’re being swindled at the mechanic or dealership.
Sewing and Patching
Ever had to throw out a perfectly good sweater because it got that annoying armpit tear? Buy yourself a two-dollar sewing kit and hit up your best pal on YouTube. I can’t count how many articles of clothing I have saved by learning how to sew.
I upgraded my denim jacket by slapping that flannel patch on the back. Whether saving a torn favorite or refreshing the look of an old piece, this is a vital skill for saving money on buying new clothes.
Shining Your Shoes
The most forsaken of all the old-fashioned life skills is the shoe shine. I consider this one a particularly egregious crime, as it is actually pretty therapeutic. With this skill, I was able to keep the same pair of brown leather dress shoes through half of high school and all of college– while wearing them almost every day.
What a great feeling it is to take your beat-up kicks and make them look brand new again, and with the price of genuine leather dress shoes, there was no way I’d have had the money to keep replacing them over the years. It’s so easy, so simple, and so rewarding. I’ll add washing canvas shoes as an addendum to this one and throw in the pro tip that the nail polish remover works great on white foxing.
So, next time you try to rush out of a conversation with your parents or grandparents, see if they have a sewing machine, a shoe shine kit, or some tools you can borrow. If you are that parent or grandparents, you already know you’d be more than happy to. Never hesitate to teach these skills to anybody you care about, as there is no better feeling than saving money by doing some hard work yourself.
20 Frugal Tips From the “Grandparents Generation” That Still Apply Today
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
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
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
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
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