1930s Frugality

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While today’s economy may seem like a far cry from the Depression era, anyone can benefit from thinking with 1930s frugality in mind.

Living through the Depression taught seniors how to save and live frugally.

Economic Survival

An economic recession can create financial strain on everyone, from the rich to the poor, from the savers to the spenders. Of course, the degree to which one suffers depends upon not just the severity of the current recession, but also how good you are at money management—both before, during and after the crisis.

A frugality mantra came out of the 1930s and WWII era: “use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.” This single piece of advice can be applied to anyone who needs or wants to adopt a more frugal lifestyle today.

Use It Up

Ever toss out a jar of peanut butter because you were too lazy to scrape the sides? Or replaced a printer ink cartridge before all the colors were gone? Using items until they were gone was a way of life in the 1930s. Even if you can't use the extra tablespoon of peanut butter now, add it to your new jar for later use. Switch your printer to print in black and white, or avoid documents with that particular color, until you use the entire cartridge.

Almost any consumable good can be used up before it is replaced. If you have goods that are perishable, like cosmetics or eggs, be sure to finish them before the expiration date.

Wear It Out

Actually wearing out an item before replacing it is almost unheard of in today’s spendthrift culture. Landfills across the country are a testament to this. Learn to recognize an item that is actually worn out versus one that has just been replaced by an enticing new version.

Personal and Home Adornments

Out of style does not mean worn out. This applies to clothing, shoes, home furnishings and electronics. If you feel the need to continuously replace things because they are no longer in vogue, start finding classic pieces that can stand the test of time. An mp3 player may be the coolest new electronic gizmo, but you do not need to buy it if your portable CD player and headset still work.

Children’s toys also fall into this category. Classic toys, like wooden blocks, may not be the newest electronic rage, but rarely “wear out” to the point of needing replacement. If you want to get your child new toys without spending money or tossing discarded toys, consider starting a quarterly toy swap with your group of friends.

Vehicles

Vehicles do not have to be traded at 100,000 miles. Yes, cars have endured a lot and trade-in value will drop significantly by the time the mileage ticker hits the six-digit mark. Proper maintenance is key when it comes to keeping vehicles in good shape as they age. Unless your car is so unreliable you feel unsafe driving it, or yearly maintenance costs more than the vehicle is worth, you have not actually worn it out.

Make It Work

Making things work can be hard if you have no skills or simply choose not to use current talents to your advantage. A ripped pair of blue jeans, flat tire or leaky pipe do not always have to be replaced. Instead, make them work by repairing them yourself. Pick up some do-it-yourself books from your local library to learn how to do simple repairs and projects.

Other things you can learn to do yourself include:

Gardening: Seed packets and a few simple tools cost far less than purchasing produce at the grocery store each week.
Car Maintenance: Learn how to change your own oil and replace air filters to avoid a costly trip to the mechanic.
Hair Cuts: Pick up an inexpensive pair of clippers at the drugstore and follow the enclosed instructions for men and kids.
Beauty Treatments: Check out a book or magazine from the library and follow recipes for hair and homemade facial masks. Do your own manicures and pedicures.
Minor Household Repairs: Taking a course at a local adult education center or home improvement store can more than pay for itself after you fix the hole in the wall or unplug the kitchen drain.

Making things work requires a little ingenuity and some handy skills. If you do not have the time or inclination to learn any of these skills, you can always trade services with friends, family and neighbors.

Do Without

People in today’s society often confuse their wants and needs. See the difference between how people in the 1930s might have looked at some basic needs and how many people today look at their needs:

Food: In the 1930s, frugal grocery shopping meant food to stay healthy, or even just sustenance to keep yourself moving. But today, people think their “need” for food includes restaurant visits, microwaveable meals and expensive cuts of meat.
Clothing: Clothing in the 1930s provided warmth, modesty and protection from the elements. Two outfits per season, one to wear and one to wash, plus a “good” dress or slacks, was sufficient. While that is extreme, most people today have closets bursting with clothes they do not even remember buying.
Shelter: Shelter in the 1930s provided a place to sleep and protection from criminals and Mother Nature. Raising multiple children in one or two bedroom homes was commonplace. But today, families think they “need” a home with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a three-car garage.

Doing without also refers to everything beyond your basic needs. Unless you work at home, you can do without a personal computer. Access the Internet or type papers at the library. Even basic cable television is not necessary for home entertainment; instead, use rabbit ears to get reception for your local channels.

People who lived frugally in the 1930s simply did not buy it—whatever “it” was—unless they had to have it for survival.

1930s Frugality Today

Although some of the ideas mentioned above may seem like extreme ways to save money, when you are in, or trying to avoid, a financial crisis, every little bit helps. Some people who practice frugal living may find most of these tips to be some of the easiest ways to save money they know.

Even if you have money to spare, adding just a few 1930s frugality tips can make a difference in your household budget. It is possible to live a frugal lifestyle without becoming the definition of cheapskate.

Resources on 1930s American Living

Read more about how people in the United States fared during the Great Depression. Personal experiences, essays and historical documents provide a look into the hardships of the past:

The “use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without” mantra still makes sense today. Living below your means, saving extra money for future hardships and avoiding debt are all mainstays of the 1930s frugality mentality. Share your Depression Era frugal living tips with other LoveToKnow readers by adding a comment below.

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