15 Frugal Living Tips from the Depression Era You Can Still Use Today
These timeless penny-pinching habits from the 1930s can still help stretch your dollars today.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Families learned to survive with less during the Great Depression. Many of their money-saving strategies are just as useful now, especially with the rising costs and economic uncertainty. Here’s a look at practical, no-nonsense tips that prove frugality never goes out of style.
1. Repair Before Replacing
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When something broke, folks didn’t toss it—they fixed it. Whether it was mended socks or patched tires, reusing was the rule.
2. Grow Your Own Food
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Thanks to the " Victory Garden " mindset, backyard gardens were common, even in cities. Growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits at home cut grocery bills significantly.
3. Use Every Bit of Food
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Nothing went to waste—not even bacon grease. Scraps became soups, bones turned into broth, and stale bread made stuffing.
4. Reuse Containers
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Glass jars, coffee tins, and cloth sacks were too valuable to toss. They were cleaned and reused for storage, gifting, or organizing.
5. Make Do With Less
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Instead of upgrading constantly, people used what they had until it truly wore out. Clothing was passed down, furniture was repurposed, and nothing was considered disposable.
6. Cook From Scratch
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Packaged food was rare, so meals were made with simple, whole ingredients. Cooking at home meant lower costs and fewer preservatives.
7. Barter and Trade
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If you couldn’t afford it, you swapped for it. Skills, goods, and services were exchanged among neighbors—eggs for firewood, sewing for carpentry.
8. Limit Electricity Use
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Lights were turned off when not needed, and daylight was used to its fullest. The heat was conserved by bundling up or gathering in one room.
9. Homemade Cleaning Products
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People mixed their own cleaners using vinegar, baking soda, and soap. It was safer, cheaper, and often just as effective.
10. Mend and Alter Clothes
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A tear didn’t mean trash—it meant time to stitch. Clothes were repaired, resized, and even remade into something new.
11. Take Advantage of Free Entertainment
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Family game nights, storytelling, and picnics replaced costly outings. Parks, libraries, and front porch chats provided joy without spending a dime.
12. Plan Every Purchase
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Impulse buying wasn’t an option—money was too tight. Shopping was strategic, with lists and budgets guiding every trip.
13. Share and Borrow
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Neighbors lent tools, books, and kitchen gadgets instead of buying new ones. Community meant collaboration, not competition.
14. Handwash When Possible
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Before dishwashers and laundry machines were common, people washed things by hand. It saved electricity and water while keeping things in good shape.
15. Save Scraps for Crafts
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Old buttons, fabric bits, and even tin foil were stashed for future projects. Leftovers were used to make kids’ toys, quilts, and decorations.