Depression Era Frugality : Tips, Tricks & Life Hacks from the Great Depression Era that We Can Use Today - How to Enjoy Life and Be Comfortable No Matter Your Income, Even in Poverty

by Deborah Harold

We live in uncertain economic times. The United States is facing the most significant unemployment rate since the Great Depression. What can we learn from those who lived through those troubling times? The depression-era frugality tips, tricks, and life-hacks are lessons that we in modern times can utilize.

In my book, Depression Era Frugality, I will show you how our grandparents and great-grandparents made it successfully through the Great Depression. You will learn how to become frugal in every aspect of life so that you can live life to the fullest. The era might have been called the Great Depression, but that does not mean those who lived through it were necessarily depressed. They made the most of every single resource, wasting nothing, and were the ultimate pioneers in waste management before the green movement was cool.

We can learn so much from what those who lived through the Great Depression did. They managed to keep their families fed, clothed, and entertained, all while living on just a penny or two a day. How did they do it? How can we do this same thing today?

Living a frugal lifestyle and learning from our grandparents during the Great Depression is a great idea for those who are living paycheck to paycheck. However, it can also be a great thing for those who simply want to get ahead and be prepared should another depression come. Although many people aren’t ready to make the change to a frugal lifestyle. Hopefully, reading this guide will help you determine to make changes and start preparing for what is to come.

At the height of the Great Depression, nearly a quarter of the US workforce was unemployed. Even those who were still employed had a reduction in hours and/or a cut in their wages. Even professionals such as doctors and lawyers see drops of up to 40% in their income. The majority of the population was facing financial instability, if not complete ruin. As a result, many started living by the “Use it up, wear it out, make do or do without.” Many families discovered new ways to live a frugal life. They started gardens, patched clothes, and found cheaper forms of entertainment.

If that scenario sounds familiar, we are living through equally uncertain economic times. We can deal with this by doing what our grandparents did to not only survive, but to thrive!

In this book, you will

Depression-era Life Hacks for FoodHow to Save Money on Pantry Goods, Meat, Dairy, and moreHow to Grow a GardenCooking Tips including Meal Planning, Recipes, and Keeping a PantryDepression-era Life Hacks for ClothingDepression-era Life Hacks for CleaningDepression-era Life Hacks for Organization and StorageDepression-era Household Management Life HacksDepression-era Healthcare and Beauty HacksDepression-era Healthcare HacksDepression-era Beauty HacksDepression-era Lifehacks for Having FunDepression-era Hacks for Finding Things for Cheap or FreeDepression-era Tips for Making Money Without a JobDepression-era Budgeting IdeasHow to Develop a Successful BudgetHow People Coped During the Great DepressionHow People Can Cope TodayThe Difference Between Frugal and CheapThe Benefits of a Frugal LifestyleSpending Errors to AvoidWays to Boost Your Mood without MedicationYou will learn all this and so much more in my book.

Genres: Nonfiction, Frugal

217 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2020

Reviews

[Susan]

Nothing revolutionary here

I was hoping for more historical information, tricks, and tips. This is the same frugal living advice one can find anywhere.

[Jamie]

Interesting, relevant, educational, and chock full of important info

I recently came across the book, Depression Era Frugality, and read every single page multiple time.

One thing I have enjoyed about this period of social distancing and self quarantine, is the time I have had to cook and bake, as well as garden. I have been gleaning old recipes and tips and tricks for my garden from older family members. This book is another invaluable resource.

I loved the suggestions on how to create a pantry full of staples, cheap and recyclable ways to enrich a garden, recipies, and the chart that showed what produce is season when.

This is a great tool and couldn't be more relevant right now, regardless of your economic situation.

[Kayleigh Lawrence]

Wasn't what I was expecting. As someone who spends a lot of time researching this time period I feel like this book was very surface level and missed an opportunity to be really great. Most of this is common sense, has some great depression Era hacks sprinkled in but really missed the mark of what it was intended to be. Disappointed, great idea, poorly executed.

[Sarah]

Definitely aimed towards Americans. I don’t know how much 5lbs is in cooking. Maybe add measurements for other countries?
Mostly suggests couponing.
Pretty basic and obvious suggestions really.

[Lydia Greenberg]

Extremely base-level common sense "solutions" to systemic wealth inequity. At times, the advice given contradicts itself and refuses to make a stance in any way -- Buying in bulk, for instance, is seen as a panacea. That is, unless you're buying thanksgiving turkey. Then, you should purchase small amounts. Unless, of course, you want turkey leftovers. Then, you should perhaps buy in bulk. Absolutely maddening.

The advice for handling depression is shocking at best and dangerous at worst. There aren't any proven alternatives for medication and therapy, though Harold does try to persuade readers with uncited and unnamed studies.

The book also suffers from the lack of a good editor, as I wanted so badly to attack most of the pages with a red pen.

Uninspiring, uninteresting, and nearly unreadable.

[Sophie Gist]

Interesting book

Most of the tips are timeless and not so much about the great depression but well put together nonetheless and would recommend.

[Kat]

Not too much about what people were actually doing during the Great Depression, but includes some useful gardening tips and other frugal methods.

[Erica]

I have read several books of this kind, and this one has information I had not yet discovered in an easy-to-read format. It has several beneficial tips from gardening to household cleaning products and cosmetic care. I was thoroughly impressed with the book, and found it quite easy to get through. I read the entire copy cover to cover within a week. At times, information can get overwhelming with books of a similar type, but this one tells you exactly what you need to know and the information is distributed in an easily digestible fashion. Using the tips and tricks within this guide will help get even a beginner started toward this lifestyle. It was well worth the cost, and is quite the valuable addition to your library.

[Ethan Shattuck]

Quick primer on thinking differently about finances

This covers the differences between cheap vs frugal, quality vs quantity, and the emotional & psychological impact finances can have on people.

However, it's only a superficial explanation and there's not a single original suggestion nor is there really much about Great Depression era tips

[Jessica Donegan]

Turns out I knew more than I thought regarding frugal living. This book is an alright introduction if you've never thought about reducing your spending, but it's not serving anything that's a game changer or that will add any oomph to these basic ideas.

It wasn't really what I was looking for but it's not a bad book as a whole.

[Eunice]

Frugal living

This book is by far the best book I've read on frugality. Its loaded with tips, recipes, projects, etc. in order to have a more intentional life. While some things are self-explanatory, there are plenty of new tips and advice to make this book a must-have for anyone looking b to cut costs.

[Audie]

Great Tips!

I like the tips mentioned in this book and can't wait to try them out! The author only mentions a few things one can do without a job to make money though. Was disappointed when reading and seeing the first several suggestions in that category required a job

[Ruby Spinner]

Great Reminders

This book isn’t unique or outlandish. But, it is consistent, and, it includes modern experience, including subscriptions, and even meal delivery crates. I enjoyed the difference between frugal and cheap.

[Catherine]

Frugality

This book provides a lot of tried and true methods for living frugally in a society based on consumption and disregard for the environment. You’ll do yourself a favor using some or all of the suggestions in the book. A lot of common sense in this book.

[Mrs S Baughan]

Well laid out book

Great book that’s easy to read and well laid out. Lots of common sense tips to save money and time.

[R Gayle Godwin]

Great tips

[May Simmons]

not bad ideas

I found a recipe for a good basic vapor rub which should be in everyone’s med cabinet even though I would a few drops of tea tree

[Angeline Gallant]

A Must-read

This book is excellent, well-written and easy to read. I highly recommend every married woman read it and implement these steps.

[Sharon]

loved this book!

This book reminded me why I want to live frugally and gave excellent advice. Showed me how to get on track for savings!

[Kendra]

Great tips for our family of ten

Simple changes to help the budget. Clearly written and easy to follow. Short, sweet, and to the point for any reader.

[Allie]

good ideas for cutting costs!

Tons of great ideas and recipes. Will be trying a few of these for sure! Great for beginners looking to start out in frugality.

[lisa hall]

Awesome book

I love the way they broke it down in chapters. Easy reading. Lots of information. Do's and don't. Explain about if you fall off the wagon,don't beat yourself up.