Sometimes, there’s just no substitute for grandma’s financial wisdom. Here are some tips from the older generations that work just as well now as they did back then. I think it’s time these Grandma frugal living tips are due a comeback!   1. Conserve Energy at Home   Remember to turn off lights when you’re not in a room, close the door (you’re letting all the hot/cool air out!), and turn things off when you aren’t using them. While energy-efficient appliances weren’t necessarily accessible to our grandparents, we’re sure they would also get their seal of approval. I created a 46-page Frugal Living Planner that helps you plan, save, and budget without the stress — and it’s only $10! Get it here!   2. Buy Generic   Grandma couldn’t tell the difference between brand names and generics; we’d wager that most people can’t either. Buy generic whenever possible to save considerably on food costs. 3. Keep a Tight Budget   Grandma would sometimes loosen her purse strings for purchases, but only because she knew exactly how much she could spend thanks to proper budgeting. Do the same, and you’ll be surprised by how much more financial freedom you have. 4. Make Cleaning Products   Did you know that simple ingredients like lemon, baking soda, and vinegar make some pretty potent all-purpose cleaners? Our grandparents did, and they’d use them all the time over store-bought, chemical-laden cleaners. 5. Shop Secondhand   Secondhand shopping, like going to garage sales or thrift stores, is somewhat trendy now. But many people don’t realize just how much shopping you can accomplish if you know where to look. And the items are often better quality than you’d expect for a fraction of the price. 6. Buy Seasonal Produce   Grandma loved to shop and cook things that were in season. Not just because produce is more delicious when it’s in season, but it’s often more affordable! Don’t forget to buy locally and check out a farmer’s market for the freshest (usually cheapest) options. 7. Teach Yourself to Sew   Even some basic sewing techniques can save you significantly from buying new clothes. Grandma saw the value in knowing how to sew a patch or a button because it prevents you from tossing some of your favorite shirts or pants by doing a quick fix. 8. Reuse and Repurpose   Grandmothers always know how to make the most of what they have. Old takeout containers can become Tupperware, old jars are fantastic for storage, and even old T-shirts can be repurposed into dishes or dusting rags! 9. Avoid Impulse Purchases   Our grandparents often had no choice but to mull over their purchases; there wasn’t the immediate gratification that we get with online shopping. Take a page out of their book and wait twenty-four hours before buying something significant or something you’re unsure about. 10. Plan Errands Efficiently   Want to save more money on gas? Plan your route more efficiently to save yourself time and money.

Saving money is a goal many of us strive for, but some people take frugality to the next level with unconventional money-saving tactics. While these methods may seem extreme initially, they can help you cut costs and build your savings over time. Here are 15 money-saving tricks that might raise eyebrows but can also fill your piggy bank. If you love the tips in this post, you’ll love my Frugal Living Planner — it’s the perfect next step, and only $10! Get it here!  1. Night Light Living Some individuals are determined to reduce their electricity bills to a minimum by using battery-operated lighting scattered around their homes. They also unplug large appliances when not in use to minimize phantom power consumption.   2. Measured Electricity Imagine measuring the power consumption of every appliance in your home! Some people take this approach and even opt not to use their ovens during the scorching summer months or switch off their air conditioning to save on energy costs.   3. Loaded Errands To avoid burning too much fuel, savvy savers plan all their errands for a specific day of the week. This reduces unnecessary trips and helps cut down on transportation expenses.   4. Recycling Water While waiting for the shower water to warm up, some frugal folks gather the initial cold water that flows out and save it for watering their garden or plants, making the most of every drop.   5.   Riding Out Winter Instead of cranking up the heater, some budget-conscious individuals brave the cold by using multiple blankets to stay warm throughout the winter. This approach may lead to a chilly house but also a warm wallet.   6. Saving the Scraps Resourceful cooks save chicken bones and vegetable scraps to make flavorful broths and freeze the ends of bread loaves to later use in casseroles, minimizing food waste and grocery expenses.   7. Ziploc Savings Rather than discarding Ziploc bags after one use, some people wash and reuse them, extending the life of these handy kitchen items.   8. Opting out of Natural Gas To avoid gas bills, some individuals opt for wood stoves and heat their water for baths using alternative methods, like solar heaters or electric heating.   9. Dumpster Diving for Everything While not for the faint of heart, dumpster diving can be a treasure trove for free food, furniture, and clothing. However, exercising caution and ensuring safety is essential when attempting this money-saving technique.   10. Group Tools Friends and neighbors sometimes pool their resources to purchase expensive tools or equipment, which they then share among households, reducing individual expenses.   11. Swiping Extra Utensils and Napkins At restaurants, some thrifty diners stock up on napkins and plastic utensils to use at home, saving on household supplies instead of buying them at the grocery store.   12. Collecting Recyclables Some dedicated recyclers collect any aluminum cans, glass bottles, and other recyclables they see while out and about to exchange for cash at