There are some things that should be left in the past, but these 9 old-fashioned frugal living tips are not among them. These old-fashioned frugality tips need to be brought back so we can all start saving money again and start living frugally! Preserve Fresh Foods A lot of food that doesn’t get eaten by its expiration date ends up in the trash, which is like throwing money away. Freezing, canning, jarring, smoking, and making jerky are examples of ways to preserve fresh foods so they don’t go to waste.   Mend Your Clothes A hole or tear in a clothing item doesn’t always mean you need to replace it. If you can mend it, you should. Even paying someone to do it for you will cost less than a replacement. Learn how to do basic repairs and patching to keep your clothes going a little longer.    Save Your Butter Paper When you finish or unwrap a stick of butter, you can save the butter paper in the freezer. Then, you can use it to butter a pan in the future.   Make a Regular Menu Planning meals in advance and sticking to a schedule helps with budgeting and buying the right amount of food. It also reduces the chances of wasteful, impulsive buying at the grocery store. Want to start meal planning? It’s easier than you think! Grab this free meal planner and shopping list and get your food budget under control!   Repair as Much as Possible If you can repair something, do it, especially if you can do it yourself. The point at which this works against you is when the repairs cost more than a replacement. Then it’s time to get a new one. Learn how to do basic repairs yourself to help this along.    Keep Appliances Simple Buying appliances like dishwashers and washing machines might be necessary today, but look for the most basic models. These basic models are a lot cheaper, and they still get the job done, and you really don’t need all those bells and whistles. Also, since they’re simpler, there’s a better chance that someone other than an expensive technician can do repairs, and they break down less frequently. No, you don’t need your fridge to connect to your phone, despite what the ads tell you.    Only Wash What’s Stained, Smelly, or Wrinkled When they undress at night, most people toss everything they wore that day into the laundry bin. Except for underwear, this often isn’t necessary. Washing clothes less frequently will lower your bills and extend their life. You can also keep separate work, going out, and chore clothes to keep your work clothes as clean as possible- and no one cares if your chore clothes get a little stained.    Reuse Plastic Shopping Bags If they don’t have holes, plastic shopping bags are good for lining trash cans, holding used cat litter, and for future shopping trips. If you can’t reuse them, see if a local

In the comments on my last post, several readers asked thoughtful questions about family trusts, second marriages, and protecting assets in the event of cognitive decline. A few readers even asked if I would write a post specifically about trusts and estate planning. So here it is. Over the years, I’ve heard various comments and questions come up, such as: “Is a trust really necessary?” “I have a durable power of attorney; isn’t that good […]