How Depression-Era Lessons Can Help Us Save Money Today
Welcome, everyone! I'm Bonita, and today, I want to share some wisdom passed down from my Depression-era parents—their way of life, the food we ate, and how those principles can still save us money today. I grew up in a home shaped by the values of the 1930s and 40s, even though I was born in 1966, and I'm excited to take you on this journey.
What life was like growing up
I was the youngest of four, and despite being born in the mid-60s, my childhood mirrored my parents' Depression-era upbringing. Our lifestyle was modest, frugal, and highly self-sufficient. Things were different—kids walked home for lunch, buses went out in snowstorms, and food wasn’t entertainment—it was fuel.
The 4 core principles that helped us save
1. A rotating 7-day meal plan
We ate the same meals on the same day each week. It removed decision fatigue, kept our grocery list consistent, and minimized waste. My favorite day? Sunday fried chicken with homemade rolls and scalloped potatoes.
Tip: Create your own 7-day rotating meal plan to simplify shopping and save money.
2. Grow and preserve your own food
My family had a large garden and kept animals. My grandpa, in his 70s, grew all our potatoes. My mom canned vegetables, and our pantry was always full from the summer harvest.
Tip: Even a small garden or a few pots of herbs can help you cut costs.
3. Minimal grocery shopping
We bought only what we couldn’t grow, raise, or make ourselves. That meant fewer trips to the store, more homemade meals, and fewer temptations.
Tip: Try a pantry challenge—use what you have before you shop again.
4. Make it yourself
From homemade clothes to homemade meals, we rarely bought things new. We reused, swapped, and got creative. My dad kept the electric bill under $30 a month—and we didn’t even have a microwave.
Tip: Learn basic DIY skills—mending clothes, sewing buttons, or cooking from scratch.
10 Depression-era meals that still save money today
Here are 10 meals from my childhood that were budget-friendly and still delicious:
1. Biscuits and gravy (or toast and gravy)
We had this for supper, not breakfast. Sometimes we added hard-boiled eggs to the gravy. It was hearty and cheap!
Try toast with milk gravy and crumbled bacon or egg—simple and satisfying.
2. Beans on bread
We didn’t always have cornbread, so we poured Great Northern beans over buttered bread. Sometimes we had cornbread with syrup as an alternative.
A warm, protein-rich meal for pennies.
3. Fried chicken (whole bird only!)
My mom could cut a chicken in no time. No pre-cut parts, no breadcrumbs—just salt, flour, and a frying pan.
Buy whole chickens—they're cheaper and give you more options.
4. Hard-boiled eggs
Used in salads, sandwiches, and as snacks. Eggs from our chickens were a staple protein.
Great way to stretch meals and avoid expensive meat.
5. Chili (the brothy kind)
We watered it down, used basic ingredients, and served it with crackers—no fancy toppings.
Add water or broth to make soups stretch farther.
6. Taco burgers
No tortillas or taco sauce. We seasoned ground beef and served it like a burger.
A frugal twist on tacos—fewer ingredients, same great taste.
7. Ice milk and homemade ice cream
Ice milk was cheaper than ice cream, and we made our own often. Store-bought was a rare treat.
Make your own desserts—it’s fun, cheaper, and healthier.
8. Fruits & veggies from the yard
We had apples, pears, tomatoes, carrots—and no salad dressing. We used salt!
Skip the pricey condiments—try lemon juice, vinegar, or just salt.
9. Basic spices only
Salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg. No fancy spice rack needed.
Stick to multipurpose spices to save money and space.
10. Simple meats
We only had hamburger, chicken, and bacon. No steaks or roasts unless it was wild game.
Today, try ground pork or sale cuts to stretch your budget.
Final thoughts: Adapting the old to fit the new
Times have changed, but the values of frugality, simplicity, and self-sufficiency are timeless. My childhood taught me how to live within my means, and those lessons helped me raise my kids on a tight budget too.
Whether you're living on a fixed income, trying to save more, or just looking to live more intentionally—bringing back some of these old ways can make a big difference.
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Back to home grown is the best way to go now a days
Agreed!