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Mel, selected from Caring.com

Think Like Grandma and Save Money

posted by Mel, selected from Caring.com May 6, 2009 11:00 am
filed under: Healthy Home, Reduce, Recycle & Reuse, Travel, , ,

By Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

Some weeks ago I was writing about money-saving tips from our Depression-era family members. Now that we’re in the midst of what feels like Depression number two, we can learn a lot from those who survived–and, in some cases, thrived–during the Great Depression.

I started thinking about all the ways I’ve started to “channel” my Midwestern mother and grandmother, and how when I make choices like the ones I know they made, my bank balance starts to build without my even worrying about it. Here are my top five “think like Grandma” strategies:

Next: Tip 1

More on Healthy Home (126 articles available)
More from Mel, selected from Caring.com (75 articles available)

40 comments

40 comments

add your comment »
40 comments add your comment
Nikki Jones

I am pretty frugal I try to get by each week with no more than $20 in my purse - it works for the most part. Once a month I have to double that for a week to stock up on basic food stuffs to keep me going. I eat healthily and cook up veg fruit before it goes bad so I don't waste it! I eat it fresh for the first week or two of the month then cooked for the second 2 weeks or so. It's fab and my monthly outgoing (except of occasional big things) is less than $100. The fuel in my car is about $50 dollars but hey gonna get movin to work and there's no other alternative options!

Monica D.

Hi, I am a member of the Care2 groups Living a Simple and Frugal Life, and Circle of Simplicity. These groups encourage and support reducing consumerism and living a simpler life, which I think will help conserve nature and promote peace. All are welcome - please join! at
http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Simply_Frugal and http://www.care2.com/c2c/group/Circle_of_Simplicity. Thanks!

Rachel G.

Great article!

Lynn L.
  • Lynn L. says
  • May 22, 2009 1:22 PM

Great ideas, and well written. Thanks for the addition.

cecily w.

Thanks, Mary B.--that is interesting.

Mary B.
  • Mary B. says
  • May 20, 2009 4:53 PM

Cecily W.
know, that's not quite what I mean, though women would probably be the most likely to benefit since they are the ones who have steadfactly done this foudational work of homemaking for millenia without pay.What I mean is, every body of legal working age be given a 'paycheck'for the unpaid work they presently already do in the course of taking care of themselves.And it should be at least enough to give them a poverty level income.This is not a hand out, or a welfare check untill you can find a job. This is an ongoing check that everyone would get besides what ever they make at an 'outside job'.And don't ask "how will we pay for this". The real question is does the human race value it's self enough yet to insist on haveing it's basic survival needs met in the face of ages long indoctrination that it shouldn't have needs.The wealthy have the same needs, theirs are met cradle to the gave and nobody accuses them of becoming 'dependant and lazy'. They're ruling the world for petes sake. And no,I'm not suggesting that the government 'pay women to stay home and raise their children'.If women want to stay home to raise their children, they should be paid for it.But they should be given a government stipend even if they go out to work. Somebody has to watch the kids and they must be paid.Are we, as a people ready to help each other and keep our communities strong instead of dissapating our life force bickering and
blaming .If we are ready, a way will be found.

Mary B.
  • Mary B. says
  • May 20, 2009 9:38 AM

You can't answer yes or no to a poll asking if you prefer one option or another.Who makes this stuff up?

cecily w.

Mary B: Are you suggesting that the government should essentially pay people to stay home and take care of their children?

cecily w.

Mary B: Are you suggesting that the government should essentially pay people to stay home and take care of their children?

Past Member

Thanks for the reminders...you're right, I like my garden as well as an expensive "vacation" :)

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