Save Money Like Grandma: 5 Frugal Habits That Work
Save money the old-fashioned way with practical habits inspired by your grandmother — cook, grow, mend, and reuse to boost your budget.
Frugal Living
By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | May 8, 2025
In today’s fast-paced, high-cost world, saving money can feel like a losing battle. But maybe the secret isn't in the latest budgeting app or cashback offer — maybe it's in looking backward. Our grandmothers knew how to stretch a dollar with resourcefulness, creativity, and a no-nonsense approach to spending. Many of them lived through hard times, and they made every penny count.
Juast as an aside, in Vancouver, BC, as of April 2025, the average annual wage is approximately $69,512 CAD, while the median wage is significantly lower at $39,700 CAD, reflecting notable income disparities in the region. With the minimum house price starting at around $1,000,000 CAD, the house price-to-income ratio based on the average wage is roughly 14.39, and for the median wage, it skyrockets to about 25.19.
These ratios indicate that housing in Vancouver is extraordinarily unaffordable, with homes costing over 14 times the average annual earnings and over 25 times the median earnings — far exceeding the affordability benchmarks of 1925 or even broader 2025 national averages. This stark disparity underscores a housing crisis driven by high demand, limited supply, foreign investment, and zoning constraints, making homeownership an elusive goal for most residents, particularly those earning the median income.
So what can we do? Go back to the basics. Here are five timeless ways you can save money today by reviving some of your grandmother’s best habits:
1. Cook from Scratch and Ditch the Daily Takeout
Your grandmother would never have picked up a $7 latte or ordered delivery three times a week. Instead, she planned her meals, used leftovers wisely, and baked her own bread or muffins.
Try this:
- Plan weekly menus around seasonal produce and what’s on sale.
- Learn 5 go-to recipes you can batch cook and freeze.
- Bake instead of buying snacks or baked goods — it’s cheaper and healthier.
Savings tip: Cooking at home can easily save you $50–$100 per week compared to regular dining out.
2. Grow Something — Even if It’s Just Tomatoes
Your grandmother likely had a garden — even a small one with tomatoes, herbs, or greens. Gardening reduces your grocery bill and teaches you patience and satisfaction.
Try this:
- Start with easy plants like cherry tomatoes, lettuce, or basil.
- Use containers or a sunny balcony if you don’t have yard space.
- Compost your kitchen scraps to enrich your soil for free.
Savings tip: A $3 packet of seeds can yield $50+ worth of fresh produce over a season.
3. Learn the Art of “Use It Up”
From reusing tinfoil to darning socks, grandmothers wasted nothing. That frugality might seem extreme today, but it adds up.
Try this:
- Reuse containers, gift bags, or jars instead of buying new.
- Mend or repurpose clothes instead of tossing them.
- Save vegetable scraps to make homemade broth.
Savings tip: Reducing waste means buying less. It’s good for your wallet and the planet.
4. Shop Secondhand and Embrace Hand-Me-Downs
Before “vintage” was trendy, your grandmother was already thrifting. She knew the value of durable, timeless pieces and wasn’t swayed by fads.
Try this:
- Shop at thrift stores, swaps, or online marketplaces.
- Buy quality secondhand furniture, clothes, and tools.
- Borrow or trade instead of buying new (tools, books, baby gear).
Savings tip: You can easily save 50–90% off retail prices by shopping used.
5. Learn Basic DIY Skills
Your grandmother likely knew how to hem a dress, sew on a button, patch a tire, or make a simple salve from pantry ingredients. These practical skills meant fewer service calls and store visits.
Try this:
- Learn basic mending, sewing, and repair skills via YouTube or free community classes.
- Make your own cleaning supplies from vinegar, baking soda, and lemon.
- Cut your own hair or trade skills with a friend.
Savings tip: Learning to DIY can save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars a year on small fixes and tasks.
Final Thoughts: Wisdom From the Past for a Stronger Financial Future
Modern life encourages consumption, but our grandmothers thrived with less. By slowing down, living intentionally, and learning a few key skills, you can adopt a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle — and find more money in your pocket at the end of each month.
According to the Money Pantry website, here are the 101 Best Frugal Blogs & Websites to Follow in 2025: https://moneypantry.com/best-frugal-living-blogs/
You don’t have to churn your own butter to live like grandma. Just start with one habit — bake muffins this weekend or skip Starbucks once this week. Small changes build up, and before long, you’ll be saving like it’s 1945.
#Frugal Living #Money Saving Tips #Grandma Wisdom #Sustainable Living #DIY Lifestyle #Home Cooking #Grow Your Own Food #Thrifty Tips #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter
Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp: +1 604 828 8788
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