We live in an age of excess—too many options, too much clutter, and too many things to keep up with. But what if the secret to thriving isn’t in doing more, but in doing less? I’m here to share some frugal living tips from the Great Depression.
When we talk about frugal living, it’s easy to feel like we’re advocating for bare-bones survival or a life without comfort. But in reality, the true essence of frugality is about making intentional choices that lead to a simpler, more fulfilling life. And while it may sound cliché, we can actually learn a lot from those who lived through the Great Depression.
I never had a close relationship with any of my four grandparents, and as a result, I didn’t learn those old-school frugal habits growing up. But after facing financial struggles of my own—debt, stress, and anxiety—I had no choice but to look to the past for answers. The Great Depression era taught lessons that are just as relevant today as they were back then, and I’m sharing a few of them with you today.
1. Make Do with What You Have
During the Great Depression, people didn’t have the luxury of constantly buying new things. If something broke, it was repaired. Clothes were mended, furniture was reupholstered, and leftovers were always used. In today’s disposable culture, we tend to throw things away rather than fix them. But re-learning the art of repair—whether it’s sewing a tear in a favorite shirt or fixing a leaky faucet—saves you money and teaches valuable skills.
Frugal Tip: Next time something breaks, challenge yourself to fix it rather than replace it. You might just discover a new hobby, and you’ll be amazed at how much you can save!
2. Reduce Waste: Use Everything
The people of the Great Depression knew the value of every scrap of food, fabric, and material. They learned to stretch what they had and use everything to its fullest. Canning and preserving food, repurposing old items for new uses, and making the most of what was available were all essential skills.
Today, we often over-purchase, over-prepare, and end up throwing away more than we need. We can learn to be more mindful by being intentional with our purchases and reducing waste.
Frugal Tip: Meal plan for the week and use up leftovers. Don’t be afraid to get creative and turn yesterday’s dinner into today’s lunch. Also, find ways to repurpose items—an old jar can be turned into a decorative vase, or an old t-shirt can become a cleaning rag.
3. Barter and Trade
In difficult times, people couldn’t always rely on cash. The barter system, where people traded goods or services, was a common way to get what they needed without spending money. You might not be able to trade a loaf of bread for a haircut, but there are still ways to apply this idea in our modern world. Swap services with friends, trade items you no longer need, or look for local exchange groups to get what you need for less.
Frugal Tip: Ask yourself: what do I have that I can trade? Whether it’s offering to babysit in exchange for a home-cooked meal or trading clothes with a friend, there’s always an opportunity to save money by thinking outside the box.
4. Don’t Live Beyond Your Means
This might sound obvious, but it’s one of the hardest lessons to learn. During the Great Depression, many families had to live with far less than they were used to. But those who thrived during that time learned how to make do with what they had. They didn’t use credit cards or take on loans they couldn’t afford. Instead, they learned to live within their means, and they took pride in what they could accomplish without borrowing.
Frugal Tip: Before making a purchase, ask yourself: Do I really need this? Can I afford it without going into debt? Focus on building your savings and living within your means, even if that means saying no to temporary luxuries.
5. Invest in Long-Term Skills and Self-Sufficiency
In the face of adversity, many people during the Great Depression turned to homesteading, gardening, and other forms of self-sufficiency. Growing your own food, learning to cook from scratch, and mastering basic home repairs weren’t just helpful—they were necessary.
While we don’t all need to grow our own food, investing in self-sufficiency is still incredibly valuable today. Whether it’s learning to cook or budgeting your expenses, the skills you develop today will pay off in the long run.
Frugal Tip: Start with a few simple skills—learn to cook meals from scratch or tackle a basic DIY home improvement project. Building these skills doesn’t just save you money, it helps you become more self-reliant.
6. Grow Your Own Food
During the Great Depression, many families grew their own vegetables and raised small livestock to provide for themselves. This not only saved money but also gave them a sense of self-sufficiency. Growing your own food doesn’t require a huge backyard—container gardens or small vegetable plots can work wonders.
Frugal Tip: Even if you only have a small space, try growing herbs or easy-to-care-for veggies like tomatoes, lettuce, or beans. You’ll enjoy the satisfaction of eating something you grew yourself!
7. Repurpose and Upcycle
In the 1930s, people were masters of upcycling. Rather than throwing away items they no longer needed, they would find new uses for them. Old newspapers became kindling for fires, worn clothes were turned into quilts, and even empty cans became planters.
Frugal Tip: Don’t be afraid to repurpose old items instead of buying new. With a little creativity, you can turn seemingly useless things into something new and functional.
8. Learn to Preserve and Can Your Food
Canning and preserving food was a common practice during the Great Depression, and it’s something we can all benefit from today. Growing and preserving your own food through canning is a great way to save money and avoid food waste.
Want to save money and enjoy fresh food year-round? Check out my easy guide to canning food for simple tips to get started!
Frugal Tip: Invest in some canning jars and start preserving seasonal fruits and vegetables. Canned tomatoes, jams, and pickled vegetables are perfect for enjoying year-round.
9. Repair Clothes Instead of Buying New
During the Great Depression, people learned how to repair and repurpose clothes rather than buying new ones. Whether it was patching holes, re-stitching seams, or using fabric scraps for new projects, it was a way of life.
Frugal Tip: Keep a small sewing kit on hand for quick repairs. If you’re not sure how to sew, start with basic skills like patching a hole or hemming a pair of pants.
10. Make Your Own Cleaning Products
Instead of spending money on expensive cleaning products, families in the Great Depression often made their own from basic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. These homemade cleaners were effective, eco-friendly, and much cheaper. Head over to my DIY cleaning product solution post for simple, budget-friendly recipes to keep your home sparkling!
Frugal Tip: Start making your own all-purpose cleaner with vinegar and water. You’ll save money and reduce the number of chemical-laden products in your home.
11. Learn to Cook from Scratch
Back in the day, cooking from scratch was a necessity, not a choice. Canned goods and processed foods were expensive, so people learned to cook everything from bread to soup from basic ingredients.
Frugal Tip: Start by learning a few simple recipes that require minimal ingredients. Making your own bread or pasta is surprisingly easy—and much cheaper than buying pre-made.
12. Utilize Community Resources
During the Great Depression, communities came together to share resources and help one another. People would trade goods, share meals, and even take turns caring for each other’s children. Building a sense of community can reduce costs and ease the burden of financial stress.
Frugal Tip: Look for local community groups or online exchanges where you can trade goods or services. You’d be surprised how many people are willing to help out when times are tough.
13. Practice Gratitude and Contentment
One of the most important lessons from the Great Depression is learning to be content with what you have. People during that time understood that happiness wasn’t tied to material wealth, and that finding joy in simple things was more important than constantly striving for more.
Frugal Tip: Take a few moments each day to focus on what you already have and express gratitude. Embracing contentment helps reduce the desire to overspend on things you don’t need.
14. Buy in Bulk
When money was tight, families in the Great Depression would buy in bulk to save on essentials. Buying large quantities of things like flour, sugar, and dried beans helped them save money over time.
Frugal Tip: Buy staple items in bulk, such as grains, beans, and spices. Just be sure to store them properly to prevent spoilage. Bulk buying can save you a lot of money in the long run.
15. Use Homemade Remedies and Natural Products
In the past, people often relied on homemade remedies for everything from colds to insect bites. With limited access to stores, families turned to herbal medicine, homemade ointments, and other natural products to treat their health needs.
Frugal Tip: Explore natural remedies like herbal teas or homemade salves for basic health issues. Many natural options are much cheaper than store-bought products.
BONUS: Share and Swap Clothes and Household Goods
Back then, it wasn’t uncommon for neighbors to swap clothes or household goods as a way to get what they needed without spending money. Clothing swaps and lending items were key ways to save.
Frugal Tip: Consider hosting a clothing swap with friends or family. You can exchange gently used clothing, toys, or household goods to refresh your stash without spending a dime.
Final Thoughts
Living frugally doesn’t mean living miserably. In fact, the opposite is true. By applying these old-school principles of living more simply, making do with what we have, and being intentional with our purchases, we can reduce stress, save money, and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment.
After years of financial anxiety, I realized that I needed to embrace these age-old habits. And it’s been life-changing. Maybe, like me, you’ll find comfort and empowerment in the simplicity of the past. It’s not about deprivation—it’s about creating a lifestyle that works for you, without the financial strain.
In case you missed it, I’ve shared a YouTube video where I dive deeper into these frugal living tips and how they can help you live a more stress-free, debt-free life.
Let’s get back to the basics together!
