16 Smart Frugal Living Tips from the Great Depression

The Great Depression was a time of economic crisis before the start of World War II.

So how did your grandparents and great grandparents survive this overwhelming decade of poverty?

Well, they had to learn how to get creative, and thankfully, these frugal living tips from the Great Depression are still around for us to use too.

There are so many ways to stretch your dollar and learn the value of spending your money wisely.

So read over these old fashioned money saving tips from the Great Depression and see how it can help you become a more frugal person.

Frugal Tips from the Great Depression

1. Buy the Right Kind of Clothing

This old fashioned frugal living tip comes straight from my relatives who lived through the Great Depression.

If you need to buy clothing, buy something that’s fashionable but doesn’t pop.

So for instance, if you need to buy a nice dress for special occasions, don’t get it in a bright color like red. Because if you wear it more than once (which you will if you’re trying to save money), people are a lot more likely to remember it the next time you wear it.

So try buying clothes that look nice, but won’t stand out in other people’s memories. That way people are less likely to notice that you’re cycling through certain pieces more often.

2. Make Your Own Products

Some cleaning and beauty products can be easily made from home at a fraction of the cost.

So instead of pouring money away on name brands, look up items and recipes online. You’ll end up with a good amount of savings and a lot less chemicals in your home!

And if you’re in need of some good DIY cleaning products, then check out my post here on 7 Non-Toxic DIY cleaning recipes!

3. Grow Your Own Produce

If you have a garden or even a windowsill, this tip will work for you.

Try growing your own fruit and vegetables rather than buying them. In the Depression era, growing your own produce became a staple and was one of the ways in which people managed to survive the hard times.

Oh, and you can also check out my post on gardening hacks to help you get started!

4. Start Canning Your Food

Learning how to can is a great way to preserve food throughout the months to make tasty and healthy meals while also saving money.

Off-season produce can be expensive, but if you canned it during the months it was in season, then you don’t have to pay that more expensive price tag.

5. Do Without

As Richard Sharpe said in the 1993 TV episode “Sharpe’s Rifles”, you ‘do without, sir.’

If it isn’t a necessity, don’t bother with it. You can put that money aside for far more important things.

Those living in the Great Depression didn’t have the luxuries we do today. But by following their example not only will you have more money for the necessities, but you may also find more appreciation for the things you DO have.

Also, want to know the 20 habits of people who always have money? Click here to check out these money saving habits!

6. Use Hand-Me-Downs, or Buy Used

There seems to be a bit of a stigma that if it isn’t new, then you must be poor.

But that really shouldn’t be the mindset you take.

Buying used or getting hand-me-downs not only saves on waste but money too. So if you can find something you like at a reduced cost and it’s in good condition, then what’s the problem? 

7. Cook Yourself

Those living through the Great Depression didn’t have a lot of money to spend, and certainly not on the convenience of dining out.

So instead, cook at home and freeze portions to eat later on. That way you’ll have the convenience but without the price tag.

And if you want some good meal prep recipes, then check these ones out here!

8. Do It Yourself

Rather than hiring a decorator or gardener, save your money by doing it yourself.

With some paint and masking tape, it’s easy to decorate your room like a pro. And with YouTube, you can watch tutorials to get your dream garden.

So if the task can be done, then put in that hard work and save those pennies.

9. Get Rid of All Unnecessary Spending

If there’s something you can do yourself, you have unnecessary subscriptions, or you find yourself frequently heading to Trader Joe’s to grab some snacks, then it’s time to take note of these expenses.

And once you’ve created a list of all the things you’re spending money on, it’s time to start cutting them out or cutting back.

There are so many ways you can save money just by looking at what you could do yourself, what you’re not even using anymore, or where you can stop making impulse purchases.

10. Use What’s Around You

If your neighbor keeps chickens, buy eggs from them. And if you’re in the countryside, odds are you can find fruit trees or bushes to pick from. Or if you’re in need of a tool, ask a friend or family member.

There are so many ways to save money by just looking around at the community you live in.

11. Reuse Rather Than Throw Out

You just noticed a small hole in your favorite shirt, and your first reaction is to grab your purse and go replace it.

But in the Great Depression, people didn’t waste, they fixed.

So if at all possible, try fixing that hole yourself. That way you can still keep wearing the item rather than spending money to replace it.

Bonus points if you then put that money you would have spent into savings or investments.

Also, if your outfit needs a fix, you can go here to find some great clothing fix hacks!

12. Use it All

In our modern society, we’re known for throwing out items when they’re nearly empty.

But nearly isn’t enough.

So roll up your toothpaste to get the last bit of it out. Keep a containers upside down to get one more squeeze of shampoo. Or turn your honey upside down so you can use the last of it.

It may not seem like much but it adds up over time.

13. Use Free Entertainment

Rather than spending on days out, do what our grandparents did and look for the free entertainment.

So think a day at the beach, a bike ride, a picnic, a concert in the park, and even board games.

There are any number of ways to entertain the whole family without having to take out the credit card. So utilize your area and find out what you could be enjoying!

14. Only Spend What You Have

People either ended up in severe debt during the Depression or lost all of their savings.

And because of this, they could only spend the money they had.

So make sure to avoid credit cards and loans, and you’ll be able to avoid interest payments and a negative bank balance.

15. Saving Money With Meat

This is one of those Great Depression survival tips that can easily be applied today.

Ground beef and other meats were expensive, so mixing things like rice, lentils, or breadcrumbs into ground meat was commonplace (you can try doing meatballs this way).

Also, you can use beans since they’re full of protein, tasty, and don’t cost too much.

16. Practice Gratitude

I think it’s neccessary to finish up this article on money saving tips from the Great Depression with gratitude.

And if you’re looking for frugal living tips with a big impact, then this might just be the most important one.

It’s so important to look at what you do have, not what others have that you don’t.

There are so many people (including those in the Great Depression) that are so much worse off. And when you look at your clothing, your home, and other belongings you do have, it’s a great way to be thankful.

So keep your thoughts on what you have to grateful for and stay away from comparing your situation to others.

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