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As talk of a possible economic recession grows louder, many people are thinking more about how to stretch a buck. And the internet is full of money-saving tips for the modern day: Use a budget app. Cancel unwanted streaming subscriptions. Wait for those Black Friday tech deals. But there’s also a lot of wisdom to be gleaned from the frugal habits of our ancestors — like great grandparents who lived during the Great Depression, when the popular motto was “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” In fact, many social media users are revitalizing some of this lost cultural heritage with posts about everything from reusing disposable items and mending your own clothes to making your own gifts and preserving your own vegetables. So what? Americans have lived through economic downturns before and will again. And although there will always be new twists on old habits, we can learn a lot from our ancestors. Here are just a few of the themes that are experiencing a renaissance on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Reddit. Many of these money-saving tips have other benefits too.• Forgo disposables: Before disposable razors, water bottles, paper napkins, and menstrual products, there were (and still are) reusable options for everything. They may cost more upfront, but the long-term payback can be significant — as millions of people in BIFL (Buy It For Life) groups online can attest to.
• Reuse disposables: Many of us grew up scoffing at older relatives who washed plastic baggies, but they may have been on to something. Just because companies want to keep selling you single-use products doesn’t mean you have to use them that way. You can even reuse things like plastic wrap and zip ties.
• Upcycle: Beyond recycling, you can “upcycle” by creatively repurposing old items into new things. (Egg cartons make excellent seed starters.) This strategy has even spawned clothing styles in the past.
• Make your own clothes: Making and mending your own clothes has always had benefits — including saving money. Sewing content on Instagram is booming, with millions of posts being shared under hashtags like #sewingproject, #sewinglove and #sewingaddict.
• Cook at home: Cooking at home can save you some serious money, depending on the ingredients you use. Plus, it can keep you healthier and reduce food waste.
• Do your own repairs: Do you know how to patch a hole in your drywall? Or fix a running toilet? Doing your own maintenance not only saves money, but might be a lot faster. These days it can be hard to even get an appointment with a contractor or repair service.
• Make your own gifts: Why not take advantage of hobbies like crafting to make your own gifts? And a pair of knitted socks sends a much more personal message.
Related Reading
• Are We in a Recession? What the Data Says—and How to Protect Your Finances (Nerdwallet Podcast)
• Growing Share of U.S. Adults Say Their Personal Finances Will Be Worse a Year From Now (Pew Research)
• Can You Save Money by Growing Your Own Food? (SoFi)
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