10 Great Depression Habits That Can Save Your Life

[@annbise4091]

Gurl! I was sooo happy when I found a gas stove with NO digital components. Hubs was like "why you obsessed about this?" Then the power went out for a few days and I lit that stove with a match.😊

[@katherinegranger1995]

@@annbise4091 yeah!! Smart😍

[@ExtremelyRadiant]

Yes! ❤😊 BUT....my puppy turned on the gas, once. 😬

[@annbise4091]

@ExtremelyRadiant lol.

[@judithwake2757]

​@@ExtremelyRadiant What was your puppy doing on top of the stove ?

[@sharongarrett4356]

​@@judithwake2757 Long -legged puppy?

[@Wintek55]

Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!

[@PatrickFDolan]

I came here to say just that. You stole thunder ⚡

[@ettahamilton670]

@@Wintek55 ooooi. That was one of the mantras growing up. Love that one.

[@ettahamilton670]

@@PatrickFDolan 💖

[@regib422]

Omg. I can hear my grandmother now!! I had almost forgotten this one. Bless you for this happy memory and still great advice!

[@iamdoroda]

Step 1 is to buy good quality in the first place.

[@JennyD_P]

When I was an 80's kid, I thought my Dad was the smartest handyman on the planet Really really there wasn't anything he could not do. He fixes everything: woodworks, garden, auto/appliance/yard equipment repair. I found out recently that his secret was Readers Digest home fixit book (1970's?), Random Carpentry Books, "Lost Skills" books (1970's?). Old BHG Garden Books (1950's). It's a great collection with pictures and written instructions. It has been in his office for over 50 years and I only recently noticed it. I thought my Dad was a Handyman Savant turns out he a serious Reader. God I love that man.

[@robertamead3687]

My Dad was like that. Lost him in ‘99 and still miss him everyday. Cherish

[@mellissabest]

I thought my daddy was the smartest man in the world too. How lucky we are to have these memories to share.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I have books like that as well. Once, I bought a construction textbook from the local secondhand shop and a friend said her brother had one just like it in high school. They had a great shop class, the teacher taught the young men how to build their own houses!

[@patriciatinkey2677]

Love 📚📚📚, & my Dad, who taught me how to fix a toilet at 16! Miss you Dad.😢

[@MalikaBourne]

Yep. My late Ex used to go to the library to get the right book to cheaply fix the car when we needed to. The correct book would tell him what to ask for at th ejunk yard for a money saving part.

[@sinclairpages]

I got my wife a fancy computer controlled gas stove and she liked it. The controller to the oven went out after a year and a half. I got a new controller board and installed it. It lasted a year and went out. She demanded a simple stove. I got her a stove with no electronics and she loves it and has had no problems. Some people call it a grandmas stove, but it works and there are no issues.

[@kalinystazvoruna8702]

Sometimes analogue is better than electronic or digital. People are having problems with the new digital refrigerators that are breaking down about 3-6 months after purchase. My fridge is from 1998 and still works perfectly.

[@lisaspayandneuter7402]

We got rid of a refrigerator that was 37 years old it still worked😁I don't recall what brand it was

[@ChrisBright-qj6yx]

It's funny but as a teenager (in 70s and 80s) I was always attracted to the guys who could do useful stuff, (gardening, fencing, fixing things, changing the oil in the car). Married that guy at 21, what a great choice!

[@karendowney2888]

You were so much smarter than I was

[@ettahamilton670]

@@ChrisBright-qj6yx Good for you! It's so good to have someone you can count on. They are usually the kindest and most understanding kind of guys too. Congrats!

[@leslievincent8565]

Oh, most defintitely!!!

[@valkyrie1066]

I'm with you, girl! Don't strive to prove how wealthy and handsome you are, show me how USEFUL you are! MAJOR points for actual daily useability.

[@ettahamilton670]

@valkyrie1066 YES and make sure you cultivate skills in your own life to be just as useful so you aren't the one in the relationship that's the drag.

[@kerrybyers257]

We became a seriously dependent nation when Home Ec and Shop were dropped from high school curriculums.

[@hardtogetnamehere]

That’s why we, as parents, should have been teaching our kids to cook/clean/budget.

[@heathen9113]

We have both of these at our tiny school in Arkansas, but it was only elective when I was in school in Texas. I graduated back in 2002. Thank goodness for being raised by silent generation grandparents.

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

Oh to be sure.

[@laurie6644]

Totally!

[@rebelteacher2761]

My students(Jr High) keep begging for classes like this. They will get it in HS but it’s limited to only a few students.

[@ettahamilton670]

I've got a story to prove you right! It happened today! One of my son's got a motorized skateboard. He's using it to get to and from work. He took a biff and wound up in instacare with some kind of nasty road rash. He's over 30 so this is going to take awhile to heal. He lives alone and doesn't make much. From my storage, I was able to make enough food for him. He's hypoglycemic so he eats a Lot. I made enough food for a whole week in about 3 hours. That's breakfast lunch and dinner. He works fast food so it's going to be a little tough for him to get through this. I am so grateful to you especially for giving me the courage to get back into canning. It has helped. My eldest told me to go to the store and buy stuff for him. I said, I have ingredients not money. Thank goodness for ingredients!

[@SuttonsDaze]

You are so prepared!

[@joannc147]

Ah, good mama testimonial! Love it!

[@conniekline9881]

That is incredible that you could help him out so quickly.

[@sharoncovington7023]

Prayers offered up

[@bronzegonnagy]

I have ingredients, not money. This statement rocks.

[@clashalley5575]

I was a divorced single mom at 24 and hired a tech to come fix my dishwasher. Then my washer. I looked at the tech, looked at what they did, looked at myself and went 🤨if these brain surgeons can fix this then I most definitely can. And I’ve done all my home repair and appliance repairs and even electric and plumbing and even most car repairs since. It’s not rocket science and everything is on yt. Or, well, I did it until I remarried then I showed my husband how to repair things so he could pitch in too🤣. We do it together now 💜. It’s just a mindset shift! You are capable!

[@joannc147]

YOU are a Force of Nature! 👍🏻

[@clashalley5575]

@@joannc147thank you 💜💜💜We all are! We just have to put our potential to work! (And closely read/watch tutorials🤣)

[@sharonbice7490]

We fix everything we have ourselves. Sometimes have to buy parts. If you dont know how too, just youtube it, are Google it!

[@danielleterry2331]

I use utube for almost everything lol from recipes, canning, dehydrating, I even used it to build my wood stove hearth and wall protection, now I am getting everything I need for this woodstove finish out. It’s amazing lol

[@RayF6126]

Electricity work is one thing I avoid, because it's just on my too risky list as someone who is going blind. Red and blue wires don't feel different.

[@Goodie2shoes-lb9jf]

I don't buy BOTH garbage bags, I use the ones from the stores. I save cans for seed starters, use them are also farmhouse decor. Old sheets, T-shirts, etc get cut up for rags. No more paper towels. I use dawn for laundry w Oxy clean, vinigar and lemons, for counter spray. I saved salsa glass cut off the top, etched the glass and dollar store candles for Christmas presents! Orange peels dried also make great fire starters. I save toilet paper rolls and stuffing them with lint, a little wax easy fire starters. My grandma (great depression baby) raised me. If people would visit and listen to older folks they would learn a TON! In Walmart a gentleman in his 80s shared hacks for 1.5 hours on "natural gardening to replace the shelf stuff". Love elders, so rich in knowledge!

[@WilliejoyceWilliams]

Amen!

[@YorkieUniverse1]

How do you store the rags that are used instead of paper towels? Are they just sitting out in a pile on the counter? Also what is salsa glass?

[@johnclaybaugh9536]

@@Goodie2shoes-lb9jf our stores don't have bags. And they aren't big enough for trash cans anyway.

[@Goodie2shoes-lb9jf]

@@johnclaybaugh9536 I hang mine off a door knob and take it out every night before bed, it's not hard.

[@Goodie2shoes-lb9jf]

@@YorkieUniverse1 I have a bucket with bleach and dawn dishwashing liquid on the back porch and throw them in there, at the end of the week ring everything out and throw them in the washer. I use all kinds of jars even pickle jars store rice, beans, make candle holders. You just have to have a what can I reporpose this for thought process. Milk jugs I cut to make shovels for dirt in the garden.

[@robinsaxophone232]

If we all started living more this way, driving less, growing, preserving and making food from scratch, it would force prices down. It’s supply and demand along with corporate greed. We really have the power to change things if we take matters into our own hands. We are buying unhealthy, processed foods, then buying pharmaceuticals and hospital stays. Thanks for reminding us how we can save money and be self reliant.

[@cynthiaesquibel3191]

Everything you say is true! Unfortunately, too many people are too lazy to do this! I see this every day… it’s all about convenience and doing as little as possible, The waste and self indulgence I see at my job is disgusting, and yes, I’m referring to Amazon! Most of the younger generations are not being raised to live, just to exist. Living and family life is becoming a lost art

[@tangle1300]

I think as a society we're going to need to. Our current wasteful behaviors aren't sustainable long-term.

[@johnclaybaugh9536]

@@robinsaxophone232 buying hospital stays? Lol. I guess we should have let my grandson die when he couldn't breath. And we don't pay medical bills. The world is more accessible than ever before. But you probably don't even know what that means.

[@MaryEllis-n3o]

My dad's family, 8 kids plus 2 parents lived during the depression. They made soap to sell for a nickel a bar. It helped feed the family plus growing a garden. All the boys 5 in all went into WW2 and sent home their pay to their mom. Praise God they all came home in the end.

[@deelong2862]

Ty

[@deelong2862]

❤

[@kathleenredick275]

❤

[@nancylasater8606]

My Dad skined deer for meat

[@ettahamilton670]

@@MaryEllis-n3o wow!!! Five boys and three girls? Exactly my family growing up. There was always something to do not only for money but just keeping food and things properly stored. We were a little later than the depression we weren't rich by any means. I love the wisdom of the times

[@joannc147]

“Own less, buy less, say ‘no’ more often.” Old Yankee wisdom.

[@franmorrison1080]

yes, the recycling got popular, but the reduce, and reuse must come before that.

[@LaBamba2]

Old Yankee , agrees.

[@Danielle-zq7kb]

Irish and Eastern European immigrants too. (My heritage) I find this spirit in other immigrant communities because they have passed this down through the generations. Somewhere things got broken in our country when people in the 50’s started buying in to convenience foods and it exploded in the decades since. My mother didn’t work outside the home and she still used Ragu and hamburger helper and stovetop stuffing when she knew how to make all of this from scratch from her mom.

[@tenloe]

@@joannc147 And, definitely DO NOT BUY, if you have to finance it!!!!!!

[@carriejones9890]

I am the queen of frugal I pushed my husband to go along with my plan and now we’re completely debt free. It’s a great feeling❤️

[@tomikotomihewitt657]

CONGRATULATIONS 🎉

[@erikaruppert8355]

It sure is a great feeling Congratulations!🎉

[@chatterbugmm]

That’s awesome, congratulations.

[@Upstream5402]

I live debt free, too!

[@johnclaybaugh9536]

@@carriejones9890 debt free? I've never been in debt.

[@krishannam1346]

I replaced the heating element on my dryer. Looked up a How To video on KZbin. Easy-Peasy. One tip I'll pass along...before you start, take a picture, so you know how everything goes back together. 😊

[@CarolynHopper-l3h]

Please be careful when you work on the appliances. You are capable and deserve commendation. Photo is nice idea too.

[@sunshinetipton7336]

I do this.. Lik wit my car I do one by one like changing spark plugs .. changing coolant flushing my own radiator out.. make windshield washer fluid outta vinegar. On & on

[@sunshinetipton7336]

I repaired my own lift chair remote.. I was proud of myself I dt have a TV hooked up.. but hav 3. Lol.. I'm an introvert by nature I ND to start networking..

[@barbararoberts7082]

Good advice 💯😸

[@kathi7956]

I’ll go you one better: I line dry my clothes and prefer it that way!

[@patricacompton9603]

I live in a 34' 5th wheel because my husband and I can not get into low income housing. But here in my postage stamp yard I grow immense amounts of food and preserve it by canning, dehydrating, freezing, jams, pickles, and relishes. I do buy dry beans, long grain brown rice, flour, etc. I bake at home and package meat into serving size packages with my vacuum sealer. I reuse plastic peanut butter bottles for my dehydrated onion, garlic, squash, greens, tomatoes, and many berries. I waist very little. So I am SOOOO glad I found your channel. I'm not the only one that values the old time abilities. Thank you!!!

[@ettahamilton670]

@@patricacompton9603 it's truly amazing what can be grown on a tiny amount of space.

[@elliediaz6667]

Nothing better all around than to live simple and utilize everything more than once (except toilet paper 😅😅😅)

[@falictyelliott8752]

​@elliediaz6667 , absolutely agree, although, with the loo paper - you can always hang it on the line then beat the crap out of it, lol. Only trying to share a laugh/smile😊 have a lovely day 😊

[@maryjane-vx4dd]

I'm prepping my hight tunnel to plant. Talked to a gentleman a couple counties south of me who does classes on growing year round. I live in zone 5 Rocky Mountain high desert valley. It will be heated by passive solar made with 55 gal barrels I buy used for $5. New they are about $80

[@patriciatinkey2677]

You Rock! Keep On Keeping On! 🍃

[@tkwheeler4577]

I donated homemade jelly to a church sale a made labels of the contents along with the note " please reuse or return the jar ". I had jars returned and people calling me to see if I wanted some more jars they had!

[@hwy191]

I grew up with my grandmother who lived through the depression. I still remember everything she did to save money, and we never went without. I've been hearing her words for awhile now. "Waste not, want not."

[@cynthiagerard3915]

@@hwy191 That's why I still can't throw away good buttons even if the shirt is in tatters. Animal shelters will happily take your old raggy towels.

[@christy9810]

We used to tease my grandma for rinsing & reusing paper towels(of course if they weren't bad), ziplock bags, and foil, all her clothes were a few decades old because she took such good care of them, she always checked after us to make sure we got every bean out of the cans, etc etc. Now we realize what a brilliant resourceful person she truly was!

[@tifweaks6639]

Same. Myself and my whole family teased my granny about the same things. I now do all the same things 😂 It drives me crazy when my mom that lives with me, throws stuff away or doesn’t double use things.

[@elainegoad9777]

I use 1/2 size paper towels and tear a bunch apart at one time and then cut them in half. some of the halved pieces I even cut in thirds. I make stacks of each because I only use what I need. Mostly a dish cloth or wash cloth will meet the need but if I need real sanitary/throw away I use my cut up pieces.

[@dianeNoneYa1157]

My grandma was the same way...miss her every day 😢 I do so much of what she did and so thankful she taught me how ❤

[@franmorrison1080]

the 1 litre milk bags are great for freezing stuff in. reuse ziplock bags too unless they had meat in them. save all bread bags... cut up old sheets/towels for dusters, or rags for oily jobs with the car/ other motors

[@elliediaz6667]

I STILL reuse paper towels, aluminum foil, Ziplock bags, milk/water/tea gallon containers, paper plates (line them with saran wrap), plastic utensils, glass jars, pump sprayers, repurpose tin cans into pencil cups or seed starters, lipstick holder, candle wax, water down dish washing detergents and probably other things I can't remember right now.

[@CherieNorquay]

OMG I remember the bread bags in my boots!!! I haven't thought of that in forever. 60 years young and still cooking from scratch and canning from my city garden. 😊

[@Upstream5402]

Oh, yes, bread bags! In the early sixties, me and my friends wore flats - women's shoes with very thin soles that wore out fast. When mine developed holes, I'd line them with pieces of bread wrappers to try and keep my feet dry. Even so, living in a very rainy state, I frequently ended up with wet, cold feet anyway. But yeah, bread wrappers in our boots and also rubber banded in place over our mittens helped keep us dry!

[@amyinalabama7529]

I knew I had become like my grandmoma when I started washing and reusing foil. Family members call me by her name at Christmas when I gather and fold or roll used gift wrapping paper for next year. Waste not, want not. I was taught it was a matter of good stewardship. All my grandparents lived through the Great Depression and knew how to live abundantly with very little material wealth.

[@Upstream5402]

We learned valuable lessons from our depression era grandparents! I will wash and save foil, too. I wash and save some jars and other containers, too. I can't seem to discard plastic coffee containers either. I occasionally buy frozen dinners. From the packaging I save, I like to make disposable lids for use in the microwave. After cutting out a circle, I cut a small notch for steam to escape. Works great for heating a mug of leftover soup.

[@dorothyjohnson6743]

​@@Upstream5402I reuse containers, glass, if they can withstand shipping when new, I figure they are good to reuse after washing.

[@alancarter4270]

Grandma was born 1912. Mom said she would keep a hobo stew on the stove 24-7. Farm hands and strangers could come into the mud room outback, shed feed them a bowl with sliced homemade bread. My mom would make a depression era meal of stewed tomatoes, green beans and ground beef. Oddly enough my made it too, i couldn't believe it, her mom was from the era. They both passed being 88 and 92. I am 64 and my wife is 70. Thank you for that you do here.❤

[@lulatorrey6360]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢😢😮😮😮😮😮😮❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ THANK YOU ❤❤❤❤😢😢😢😢😢😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@traceythompson1092]

My Jamaican Grandmother was born in 1910 and she also kept a pot of soup or stew on the stove 24-7 in their tiny town of Morant Bay for her 13 children and anyone else who came by and needed food.

[@Upstream5402]

​@@traceythompson1092Smart lady, your grandma!

[@bronzegonnagy]

Appliances without electronics are gold

[@lorribondurant9217]

Yes!! My husband and I have an old Kenmore washer and the spin cycle wasn’t working. We had a guy come repair it. He said you can’t order parts for our washer anymore because it’s old. He happened to have the part we needed (only one) and fixed our washer. So glad.

[@suzannebinsley5940]

Sometimes you can find the awesome old appliances at estate sales. I was sick for over a year so didn't have the money, but saw multiple speed queens and wringer washers while I was on the mend.

[@EnhancedSimplicity]

Yup, A steel tub, Washboard & Clothes pins

[@cicibogdziewicz5735]

yes

[@cicibogdziewicz5735]

I don't care for shopping much .when I doi like to thrift or garage sales

[@DonnaBeaver-fb5lf]

My parents grew up in the depression. I remember my mom said she had 2 dresses, one in the wash and one on her back. As a child I could never understand why my dad had bedroom closets filled with canned foods. My mother hung her clothes outside to dry all year round even though we had a perfectly good clothes dryer. They both had good jobs but still watched every penny. Living in the times were in now makes me so much more aware of why they did those things. Always be prepared!

[@TrinaMarolf]

My grandmother re used everything. From the elastic top of her stockings to using old sheets for handkerchiefs. I even have magazines that she cut recipes out of newspapers and pasted onto the pages of the magazines to make her own cookbooks. She saved everything to the point that when she processed a deer she would roast the bones to get all the meat off. Tallow was used to candles for hunting camp. She taught us so much that has helped me survive some very rough times.

[@weird-history-and-odd-news]

My mother used the rest of the stocking for when she was making jelly. Excellent for straining!

[@dessebasey2750]

I wanted to Thank you.. been watching your shows for 3 yrs. Keeping you in my prayers. The election is over, but i feel the calm before the storm is here. I feel it in my gut. Ive exhaled, but still holding my breath.

[@darondatoole7439]

Yes. I'm watching & waiting but now I realize I need to be doing some prep work: search for old how-to books etc. I grew up poor and always had to be on a austerity plan once I was independent. Not fun. But I do know a few things. Need to sharpen up though.

[@ithacacomments4811]

I live in an apartment complex for older adults. We have a giveaway area where residents leave unwanted items for others to shop. Shopping the giveaway has saved me so much over the last twelve years!

[@krystalmazzolawood]

I LOVE this idea!

[@janicemeaders1453]

Maybe they use too much so the smell stays with the clothes😊

[@chriskey9097]

Great idea!

[@sarahsewell8726]

Soak citrus peels in vinegar for the best all purpose cleaner. Cuts thru the grime on shower doors, makes windows shine, and cuts grease on kitchen surfaces.

[@bluebirdgramma6317]

@sarahsewell8726 White vinegar? or ACV?

[@sarahsewell8726]

@bluebirdgramma6317 plain white vinegar, just put peels in a mason jar, and cover with the white distilled vinegar. When ready, I pour some in a spray bottle and dilute with a little water depending on what I'm cleaning.

[@SuzieQ-lw2kp]

​@@sarahsewell8726thank you 😊

[@Moluccan56]

Wow, I like that!

[@bluebirdgramma6317]

@@sarahsewell8726 thank you

[@ernestinebyrne9912]

Ziploc bags are handy. I hate using them but I still do. Unless it had greasy food in it I wash the bags out and let them dry and reuse them. You can do this many times. I also save bread and bun bags to use instead of ziploc bags. We used to wash these bags when I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s and use them. We also washed our foil. Everything was recycled. Pasta sauce jars. We like Classico sauce. When it is on sale I buy a bunch. I save those jars and lids. Perfect for dehydrated stuff. Speaking of dehydrated food, I bought three angel food cakes that were on a super sale for around the price of a box mix for I could t turn it down. I dehydrated cubes of it. I will dip in chocolate for some nice treats. But it is nice just on its own. A crunchy treat. When I buy green onions I immediately dehydrate the green tops I might normally not use. Powder that for a nice seasoning. And I dehydrate greens anytime I find them on sale. I dehydrate leftovers as well unless I am freezing them. My husband will eat leftovers only once. Twice if it is fried chicken. lol I dehydrate a ton of frozen veggies to make stew with this winter. I have so many meals on my shelves because of my dehydrated and canned food. Rice and beans are a quick meal when dehydrated. Glad I know how to sew, crochet, and I used to knit so need to get back into that to refresh my memory. My husband is legally blind and has permanently dilated eyes. So bright lights are bad for him. We basically live with nightlights as our source of lighting except for kitchen, laundry room, and my side table lamp. When he goes to bed the lights in the living room get turned on. Our electric bill is really pretty small because of that. It would be fantastic if he didn’t watch TV but it goes out when he goes to bed. Errands. I combine everything that needs to be done into one day of running. I think it makes sense as far as saving energy, both gasoline and mine. lol And I arrange my route to be most efficient. Empty jugs. I wash them out and fill with water. Yes milk and juice and vinegar jugs add flavor to the water most of the time. But it is still good for cleaning, washing, etc. We put them in the basement which we do not use for anything but storage. And of course I can food. Mostly ingredients but I do a few meals in a jar. As mentioned, pairing this with dehydrated food makes really quick meals. I belong to a herdshare which is wonderful because I get raw milk and make milk kefir. I also belong to a CSA from another farm. There is a local farmer who sells meat he raises who is cheaper than the herdshare. These are all wonderful choices. And I use them instead of grocery stores to some degree. I’m retired and have been for twelve years. So I don’t have to drive much. My car is 12 years old but has only around 53,000 miles on it even with several trips made before Covid. I just am frugal with using it. I hope it will last me the rest of my life. I take good care of it even though I have no garage. I was blessed to grow up very poor. My sisters and I worked to help support the family. We lived in a very rural area and Dad has the garage in town. He worked 16 hours a day most of the time. So I learned hard work and I hated it growing up but I don’t mind it now. The lessons I learned were fantastic. We had no heat upstairs in the winter so if you took a glass of water upstairs it would freeze. In the summer we cleaned out spray bottles and used them to spray a mist of water to cool us off. We couldn’t run fans because of the cost. Sometimes if it was horrible we would sleep on the porch. We had an old fashioned wringer washer and hung clothes in the line outside year around. It was funny carrying in frozen laundry to finish drying inside. We raised all our food including rabbits for meat. So I am living in the lap of luxury now. I was a tomboy and wanted to be a mechanic like my dad. So I worked over there in the garage and always worked on my car. I helped him tear down part of a house and build an addition onto his house. It was so interesting. My first husband was like Dad, a jack of all trades. My current husband is a city boy so I do a lot of the stuff because of that and because of his vision issues. Because of my first husband I have an understanding of woodworking as that was a hobby of his. Not a carpenter but I have built things and I understand the process. I think we all need to take a look at ourselves and find what we know and what we may need to know more about. I have a book on home repairs for beginners that I got at a yard sale or thrift store. So handy to have. I also need to learn about foraging so I need a book on that. I just want to be prepared for grid down situations so like having books. Speaking of books, get some current roadmaps. Include the city if yours has one. I have roadmaps to places I might go to bug out. But driving is difficult for me so I hope we don’t have to bug out. I have new maps for my state and surrounding states as well as states between me and my family. Bottom line I feel so good about my skills. I’m an old lady and physically not able to do some things but I have a pretty decent amount of knowledge and expertise. It is good to feel useful.

[@CynthiaRockroth]

I NEVER USE REUASBLE OVER. I USE THEM TO STORE RAW MEAT. THE SANITIZED WAY IS THROW THEM AWAY AFTER ONE USE. USE FOR ITEMS THAT CAN BE CONTAMINATED. LIKE RAW MEAT. THEN THROW AWAY. Milk is another that is one use only like plastic liners for baby bottles.

[@sherryhagerty9171]

@@ernestinebyrne9912 many similarities in our lives! I powder a lot of my dehydrated veggies. 3 tbl of powder equals a cup of fresh veggies, so a little goes a long way. Saves space and I have a grown disabled daughter who has texture issues, so it is easy to add the powders to smoothies, soups, stews, burgers, meatloaf, and baked goods. I have even made spinach dip with my dehydrated spinach...the powder will work but I prefer the texture of my crumbled. When I make a meatloaf, to a pound of burger I add between a half and a teaspoon EACH of spinach or other greens,. Beet, carrot, parsley, mushroom, and tomato powders. Zucchini would work here too. (I also add nutriyeast that I purchase).. I also dry and powder left over bread (very fine bread crumbs) and use some along with oatmeal to extend the meat. You really don't taste the individual flavors, but it adds a lot of nutrients and my daughter says it's the best meatloaf she has ever eaten. (She knows I add these, she just can't handle the texture of many vegetables.) When I am processing apples in the fall, I dry and powder the peels. I use this in baked goods, on oatmeal or ice cream or in smoothies. I hope you find this helpful. I love dehydrating!

[@ernestinebyrne9912]

@@sherryhagerty9171I think we may be related! I do so much the same. I tested my pantry by making a from the shelf only meal. Beef stew with canned beef and tomatoes and dehydrated veggies. I also added barley and store bought broth. And I made a loaf of sourdough bread. He raved about it. I appreciate the tip about using both oatmeal and breadcrumbs in meatloaf. I use oatmeal most of the time. Will try your way next time.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

Sounds like me. I do all sorts of repairs, drive a tractor, garden and preserve foods. I, too have a low mileage car and combine trips. Thanks for posting. It was great reading.

[@Sherrisbackyardhomestead]

Right my friend had a bag of frozen veggies inside a ziplock and just threw it in the trash. I was like why are you doing that? If I only have frozen veggies, sliced cheese that’s in a package I reuse them. I don’t reuse like my husband’s sandwich bags but tried to send him with the reusable ones and he put em back in a throw away bag. lol 😆 but yes reuse them

[@carolynfealy7460]

I have been living like this since I left home. I recycle everything I can, even if i can only use it once more, you are saving the full cost of the product that round. I seek to continue to learn from others that are like minded and teach those that are not.

[@franmorrison1080]

using the used electric kettle that my son gave me, and then he had to repair it, still working fine.

[@purpledreams8017]

I feel like I found a long, lost sister! You spoke everything from my heart and exactly how I was raised by my mama. She was born in 1927. She came through the end of The Great Depression and then she lived through World War II rationing. She just passed away this Friday. She was my world and my heart. Listening to you was hearkening back to everything that I was raised believing was important. I have been longing to return to this kind of mindful and simple living. It has been just driving me and is my soul focus. Truly a soul focus. It was a timely blessing to find you . With Mama's passing, I was really questioning myself about my plans. Many folks have been treating me like I'm a little crazy when I say I want to go build a homestead and live off the land and not throw away cans and jars and plastic and figure ways to reuse them and grow all my own food and make my own medicine and reuse my clothes and not have paper napkins or paper towels , etc. This video held a message full of much needed validation . My name is also Lisa. I was raised in the 70s. I am giving thanks today that I came across your video and got to meet you.🙏

[@katehenry2718]

Superb. Go for it. Do your research first and plan to do the "free life" slowly. Start that part now. Test: spend ZERO money for a month, and see where you need more info. Wait for food animals. At first eye contact they become your children and expensive while you are trying to live small.

[@purpledreams8017]

@katehenry2718 I am vegan so any animals that I would live with would just be for companions or rescue friends.

[@lulatorrey6360]

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[@christicoffey6463]

My Dad was born in 1924 in Virginia and Mom in 1925 in Tennessee, both raised in farm-related areas, so you & I probably heard lots of the same life lessons 😊

[@readyornot316]

Unfortunately today’s youth aren’t taught the concepts you covered here. I taught health sciences at a local community college. One day we were having a discussion about a balanced diet, and a student mentioned that she wished she could give her children vegetables more often but couldn’t afford them. She went on to say when she does buy a veggie tray (prewashed and cut), her kids devoured it in minutes. It had never occurred to her to buy the veggies and prep them herself. Worse, most of the class agreed with her 😲

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

😢

[@edamame-hime]

her kids, raised on processed garbage "devour" veggie tray veggies?? 🤨interesting. great, if true.

[@wendylang2360]

I used to work with children at a supported playgroup. The parents were asked to bring a piece of fruit each for morning tea - one parent would bring a bag of pre-cut apple from MacDonald's where she stopped on her way.

[@luba-healthywithluba6866]

@@wendylang2360 That is so sad!

[@suzannewilson2806]

I also have a septic tank. 2020, I bought a bidet from Amazon for $29.99. I bought 3 yards of flannel. Cut that into 10 inch squares. Serged the edges, ( you could also use pinking shears) to keep from raveling. Use the bathroom, Wash off with bidet, dry with flannel. No toilet paper needed. I keep an old chamber pot by the toilet to place the used flannel. ( a bucket would work) Every few days I wash them and hang outside on the close line. Repeat for four years now. Saving big $$$ on toilet paper and septic tank pumping.

[@moonafarms1621]

Yes!!! Have done the very same actually. Worth making the switch. Doing that and washable mense pads has drastically changed my life through my 20s and now my 30s. Grateful to know these things, and to know I am not alone in doing the "weird" ways!!!

[@bethyoung4030]

With the cost of everything going up I just switched over to what I call “pee pads” lol! I cut up old worn sheets and use them for #1 in the bathroom. I use an empty coffee container with lid and a little baking soda in the bottom to put the used ones in. I hand wash every few days and allow to air dry outside or now by the woodstove. Huge savings on toilet paper. I don’t buy any paper towels, plates, napkins, cups etc

[@cathyjo7975]

Recently installed bidet. I love it! Use old washcloth to dry .

[@franmorrison1080]

@@moonafarms1621 try the diva cup

[@judithmccrea2601]

Why do you pump your septic tank? I have had one since the 1980s. Do you use bleach? If so, stop. It’s the worst thing to do to a septic tank. Kills all the good bacteria. Did the pump company tell you to pump it?🤷🏼. My husband was a backhoe operator and he knew all about septic. Also, don’t use that fancy TP and never put grease down the drain.

[@karisather1832]

My mom used bread bags over our socks (at least two pairs) to keep our feet dry in our winter boots. Worked great and we got exercise outside in the winter.

[@tammihughes6229]

We wore bread bags and always got wet feet

[@derekandsamevans1912]

We also wore bread bags on hands and feet. Grew up in PNW. NOTHING. NOTHING is more miserable than cold wet feet and hands stuck in a bread bag. Grew up and moved to a tropical island !

[@bronzegonnagy]

@@karisather1832 I was a kid in the 70s when long boots were the fashion. The bread bags were a layer of insulation, but also made it easier to pull those long boots off.

[@KDVoller]

The bread bags were so you could get your shoes out of those old rubber snow boots. It was a hint from Heloise tip. Rationing was more of a WW2 thing, I found coupons and bread tokens at our friends house when we were cleaning it out after she passed.

[@KDVoller]

I grew up around a lot of Amish and Mennonites, not only barn building, they had an annual huge quilt auction to raise money for community needs including paying for medical bills and disaster relief.

[@ThePOOKIE319]

OMG! I just found you and could not stop listening to you. My husband and I are retired officers. We are still finding it difficult to meet our daily needs. We were blessed when my husband inherited a cottage with about 3 acres. We know there's so much we can learn to do. But we just need guidance from people like you. Ty, and please keep sharing. 😊

[@SuttonsDaze]

That cottage is such a blessing!! You've got this!

[@cyndifernell8497]

I am so blessed! My Grandma was Amish born in 1910. My mom canned everything we raised our own meat. I can to this day. So grateful for the skills and knowledge. Hard being a widow but I make due. I get it done.

[@rebeccamoll8779]

I used to work for The Nature Conservancy and once was assigned to do a lecture on saving electricity. Here are a couple things I learned from my research. 1. Unplug appliances when not in use. This is called vampire electricity, cos it sucks electricity even when not in use. 2. Use the newest type of LED light bulbs that last longer and use less electricity. 3. If you have electric heat, turn it down just a couple degrees and it will save electricity, too. (But, don't turn it off and on to save, cos it takes extra electricity to get restarted). 4. Yep, turn off those lights when not in use. 6. Use surge protectors so you can turn off several items at once. 7. I live in Pennsylvania and our electric company allows us to choose the company we get electric from. I check every 6 months for any other companies with cheaper rates. I hope this gives you some ideas!

[@kitbaker1629]

If you turn off the appliances using the switch, you turned off the suppressor too and the appliances are NOT protected. Either plug that suppressor into another one, leaving the one closest to the wall ON. Or just unplug the whole thing.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

Great ideas. Thanks.

[@P2Zip]

Set your thermostat and leave it alone. Adjustment your temp by adding or removing clothes. Freezers and fridges are the biggest electric users.

[@katehenry2718]

@@kitbaker1629 Just learned: unplug is best. Thanks

[@breesimmons5935]

​@@kitbaker1629 Sorry, but what is a suppressor?

[@amylabus8360]

My dryer died the first week of lockdown. I’ve been hanging laundry ever since and love it.

[@cbass2755]

Me too Amy! I hang outside in spring, summer and Fall and in winter, I hang in basement after washing and put them back in the closets. It’s been great. Had my dead dryer hall Ed off to the junkyard

[@nancywest1926]

Your clothes will last a lot longer, too. I do a lot by hand and line dry, saves $$ on utilities and buying clothes.

[@missperfect8424]

I haven't had a dryer since the 80s

[@judihughey4912]

Husband and I lived in an apartment with no washer and dryer but used a tiny washing machine that fit inside a bathtub and hung dry our clothes on a rack and hung our shirts in the closets to dry

[@robertcook9264]

Idisconnected my gas dryer, but left it pkugged in. Now its the fluffer. Its got a 15 minute fluff setting I use to activate the softener, then I hang them dry. Its going to rain tonight, so Ive got a drying rack in the dining room.

[@michelleleko5330]

I started gardening on a 2nd floor apartment balcony. Eventually I could grow enough tomatoes and cucumbers to learn how to can and make salsa and pickles.

[@SuttonsDaze]

That’s a great accomplishment, well done!

[@amyannweideman-storyteller]

RIGHT ON SISTER! I'm originally from Michigan, but I've been living here in Southern Italy for 25 years now and people here still practice all the things that you're talking about. After so long living here now, all of this seems like second nature to me, but it took a while to really appreciate all of this. COMMUNITY is FUNDAMENTAL. Regarding food, the sad thing is, I can see the Italian diet moving towards convenience, large chain supermarkets and industrial style agribusiness. Luckily, for the time being, I can still easily find fresh farm eggs, home-made pecorino and organic winter greens from "the old man down the road", at a fraction of the cost of what people pay in the North of Italy or other parts of Europe, where the American conversion has already begun... many people are aware of this conversion happening and have formed action groups, one of which I belong to: The Slow Food movement (born in Italy) is all about pushing back on this and promoting and supporting small, local food producers, but making sure (most importantly) that this "genuino" food is accessible to everyone. Regarding reusing and just overall frugality, everyone still practices this, even in the North. I think it's simply due to the fact that it's harder for the majority in the EU to adopt a "throw away" lifestyle, as people's incomes and available space is limited, which is what keep these practices still alive. It's not that people here are "morally superior", (historically, humans sadly are pretty stupid and selfish as a universal rule, with the exception of maybe some indigenous tribes), but people cannot afford to waste as much, so yes, this does translate into being more conscious about spending, waste, etc... Anyway, thanks for this channel. I'm so glad I discovered you! Peace ❤🧡💛💙💜💚

[@MegaRose1958]

I would also mention Seniors need to always remember to ask does the store , business, hotels offer discounts. If you don't ask most businesses aren't going to offer if you don't ask.

[@pamelasanford7990]

These are things I grewup doing. One of my daughters got teased for "going green". Her response was, "what do you mean going green? I was raised green". My wonderful husband bought me a brand new treadle sewing machine this year. I've wanted one since I was young and used my grandmothers. We've been married 53yrs. And have done our best to live and learn the old ways. We were born in the wrong century.

[@dorothymcmahon9995]

You know that is a good point. We were green, then we went someone else.

[@6butterflywings6]

I just got my great great grandmother’s treadle working this week! It’s great! Those machines were made to work forever!

[@helenjones4550]

Make-do, reuse, repair, recycle. It’s amazing how little you actually need to live well. Buy quality once. Less is often better.

[@bluebirdgramma6317]

It, recyclyling, is a daily Habit with me since I am a 1930's depression gal.

[@randimochamer6284]

During COVID, I cut up old flannel sheets, sewed several layers together and made kitchen towels like my grandmother used when I was a very young girl. I am still using those in place of paper towels. Instead of buying paper towels every week, I’m buying them once a month or so…

[@Grassmonster3]

Yup - every beyond redemption tee shirt and sheet gets a new life as cleaning cloths.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I use sheets to make duvet covers so I don't have to wash comforters, I just remove the duvet cover and wash that. Thanks for the tip on flannel sheets, I never thought of that. I remember reading in a very old book that women used to use flannel for oil lamp wicks. I don't remember any more than that, so I guess an internet search would provide more details.

[@kerrydesilets4226]

I do something similar. Cloths for most cleaning except major grease messes or vomit.

[@MaryHogan_TrailsByTrike]

Haven’t used paper towels for years. I use kitchen towels instead.

[@busy.b]

I'm an '85 millennial so most people don't expect it but I'm on a mission to micro-homestead as much as possible. I garden, water can (have pressure canner now I will be learning to use), save bread clips, jars, bags, compost at home what we can, city compost the rest... I have set our cold store up and stocked it with staples along with a chest freezer for emergencies and make and freeze meals when we're tired. My partner used to think I was crazy but now he pulls out the saved bags from food and bread and uses it to wrap cheese in the fridge etc. Thank you for sharing, please keep spreading the word! I'm trying to relearn all the knowledge that people stopped teaching and learning by myself and sometimes it's hard, always appreciate the help and extra info!! 🙏 ❤ I also make our laundry soap and cleaning products mostly with vinegar and baking soda and some washing soda and borax. I get a rash if i'm exposed to any nasty commercial products, don't want the cancer causing products around anyway! I also make some personal products like bar soap, toothpaste, deodorant, lotion. Everything helps, even if you can't do it all the time, less plastic, less chemicals, less driving to the store burning gas and I gain knowledge and self reliance!

[@SuttonsDaze]

You are so on the right track!

[@kathyroberts6399]

Morning all, 1. yes I make from scratch - yogurt, bread, mayo etc. 2. Yes a pantry 3. Absolutely, a victory garden and chickens 4. Not interested in "new" 5. Canning and different types of preserving 6. "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" 7. Love vinegar and baking soda to clean with and hang clothes outside My husband repairs, house and vehicles It's a great feeling to live this way😊 Outstanding video!!

[@nugenthomestead553]

I am 30, needed a way to separate skins and seeds of tomatoes from the juice and pulp. Looked online for a mill, all $35-$50 or more. Decided to wait to ask for it for my birthday and look at thrift stores in the mean time. Found one of the old cone sieves you are talking about for $2! It didn’t have the part you spin around inside it but a wooden spoon works just fine, I love it! Used it for applesauce too.

[@JFEnterprize]

I missed out on one of those 80$ ones for $8 at good will 😢 figured I’d never need it, it came with 2 of the 3 sieves for it. This year was pitiful for tomatoes anyhow. But they usually have great things for cheap there. 🎉

[@GGsGarden]

I have a thrifted cone colander thingie as well. I also use a metal colander with small wholes and a wooden spatula for the same purpose.

[@dancinginabundance]

I've had the cone for years, inherited from my mother and used it as a kid. I honestly didn't know there was any other way to keep seeds and skins out of the juice.

[@moonafarms1621]

Hey fellow millennial!!! So good to know there are more of us doing things differently.

[@coffeenoobie]

Account is called a China hat or a chinois

[@gladysrichard6088]

I am doing most of the things… I cook from scratch, garden, can ing, sew/crochet/embroidery and bake my own breads. I’m 62 and grew up in small town with grandparents who we helped farm, raised animals to eat. Thanks to my grandparents I can survive almost anything!!!

[@cherylb.9766]

I've gotten rid of my TV and the costs associated twice now. The first time was for 5 years. Tried it again and still was seeing the same reruns i had already seen before so i got rid of it again! That was 3 years ago lol. I've found more than enough to keep me occupied on KZbin where i can actually learn useful things! Thanks!

[@hoosierpioneer]

Same here!

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I remember the movie Crocodile Dundee where he was in a hotel in New York City, turned the tv on and saw I love Lucy reruns. Then he shut it off again.

[@cinbob00]

We got rid of ours in 2020 and haven't missed it and yes I watch alot of utube only to learn skills though 😊

[@helenjones4550]

I’m right with you. I gave up tv 20 years ago and never looked back. Lots to do and they still produce books😮. I try to do useful things; knit, garden, preserve food, travel, etc. never have a boring day.

[@virginiarevering4983]

Gave up tv in 2007. One of the top 5 decisions of my life thus far.

[@CassandraSeer]

My mom made a shopping list and went to the market one day a week. Extra trips were frowned on. My parents put all 5 of their kids through college (they paid tuition and room and board but anything incidental was on us). So we worked so that we could buy our texts or in many cases get them from the library. Mom sewed, cooked at home, said "no" when we wanted to buy things and sacrificed a lot. I remember hot dog casseroles at the end of the month. During the Depression her parents had to sell their house at a great loss and the buyer wouldn't buy it unless they threw in all the furniture. Then they moved into an apartment (there were 7 of them). My grandfather had no job, my mom's sister got polio and Gram had to sell her wedding ring just to buy food. The nuns made up a care basket which Gram promptly returned as she wouldn't take charity. So when people complain about the price of eggs or whatever Mom would always say "it can be a lot worse."

[@patriciawoodward2566]

I do a lot of this--I reuse everything I can. Our son said one day, "Mom, it's not that expensive, just go buy more." I promptly responded, "Son, this is why I can put a little money in the bank, and you can't." I save freezer bags, aluminum foil, and pans. The bags cereal is sealed in is great to use for flash freezing, and lasts forever. I make a lot of my cleaners and my shampoo. The list is endless. Thanks, Leisa, for all you do for this community.

[@DiettaBarker]

My Grandmother always told me as long as you have flour and bacon grease you have a meal. She is right. Many times, during financial crunches I have made biscuits and gravy. It's a meal of its own and something I love to eat.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Yes. Sourdough flat bread & bacon grease gravy. Ate that more than once..😊

[@SherryEllesson]

@@fourdayhomestead2839 Hope you have a cardiologist on speed-dial.

[@rtshaw3621]

My gran too! Fed my babies on biscuits and gravy many a morning.

[@kathleenredick275]

Did that more than once in the 1970s. It was not all the time, that would lead to malnutrition. It was to make it to payday from time to time. It was so infrequent that the kids thought it was a treat. 😊

[@laurieanne4000]

I have flour and bacon 🥓 grease....what next?

[@magsstewart5488]

I collect antique kitchenware. I collect it because it’s useful, not because I display it. It’s all “off grid” stuff, because there was no grid. And it’s all 100+ years old and still works. Of course I have new things too, and use it, but I’m prepared to not have that convenience. Old stuff is great stuff!

[@sherryhagerty9171]

Yep, me too! When I first started prepping I had very little money. I decided if I invested in the really old things they would work no matter what and if I had more money later I could buy "convenience". I did add some more modern things thru the years but still prefer my older garden and kitchen tools most of the time. I am 76 and have my grandmother's paring knife....I have other knives that are hand made and beautiful and work well, but my favorite is still that 100 plus year old paring knife. And the memories of her when I use it are priceless and comforting! Still prefer wood heat to any other. Still prefer home made clothes to commercially made. Still prefer a quiet, meditative hoe to a noisy roto tiller. Still prefer the conical sieve to my more modern one. I once again live in a true neighborhood where we look out for and help each other and enjoy each other's company...and trade skills and produce and baked goods. On another note....I saw a video of a man who had a cardboard box that had belonged to his grandfather. The grandfather had reinforced that box with pieces of another box and then shellacked it.... it had a patina of age and actually looked like a wooden box....scores of years later his grandson was still using that box! Make do doesn't necessarily mean inferior!

[@Simplyfarmhouse7]

So, do I , I look for kitchen items to replace my electric ones. if the grid goes down I can keep preparing food.

[@Cowgirl2508]

​@sherryhagerty9171 there is nothing better than wood heat! That's all we had growing up. I really miss it.

[@vginnmusa3128]

I' ve managed to collect a butter churn, corn sheller, cherry pitter, cabbage shredder, old crocks and a 6-tine ice pick. Love the old, still -useful things!

[@mctrustsnoone3781]

I also think this is a great way to get away from plastics. I grind my coffee with a hand-cranked mill and use pour over method. Id like to hunt down an old hand-crank sieve/mill and egg beater as well.

[@hockenberryholler3150]

Grew up in a coal mining area of WV, ,,,I have always used these tactics,,,, depression or not, this was a way of life,,,

[@jazzycat312]

I'm in the mountains of western Maryland and the same goes here.

[@katherinevallo2326]

My grandma grew up in The Great Depression. I loved hearing her stories. I learned more about The Great Depression from her than history class.

[@debbeleigh1930]

I remember as a youngster the cone sieve with the wooden pestle my mother used to make tomato sauce for homemade spaghetti sauce. I wish I still had it! She taught me about using vinegar for windows and basic cleaning among many other things. She was born in 1929 and I’m guessing she learned a lot about ways to get by in hard times from her mother. Today I use Dr Bonners products for just about everything and buy it in bulk by refilling our reusable containers. Since I retired after working for 45 years I’ve been going through my belongings and selling 15:12 or donating things I haven’t used in years. It’s been very liberating. Going back to the basics has been my goal going back to the 1970’s. Back then before the internet it mostly was being part of a like minded community! First time viewer of your channel and I’m liking it! Subscribed ❤

[@cheryldenkins1597]

Check flea markets and antique stores, the strainers are still out there. You can still find them with frame and pestle too.

[@debbeleigh1930]

@ Sounds like a great idea! Thank you Cheryl for posting that!

[@NashvilleRachel]

My grandmother used one #corememory ❤

[@rebeccamerrill6180]

My parents were born in '25 and '27 BEFORE the crash...learned so much from them.

[@LindaCBMediaGroup]

@rebeccamerrill6180 Likewise, my parents were born during the early part of the Great Depression and grew up during WWII. I learned so much from my parents and my grandparents' aunts and uncles. I'm 62, and I am striving and passing the knowledge on to my daughter and son-in-law.

[@lindakimberly4170]

I really get it! My reduce reuse recycle binge is making the most from food---planting sprouted garlic and ginger, saving ends of carrots and onion peels for broth, and, perhaps the worst, avocado pits. Heaven help me, I have a small forest of avocado trees! If it has a seed, I plant it. If it has a peel, I make vinegar. My kitchen looks like a cross between a greenhouse and a science lab! Wouldn't change a thing about it, but it would be really great if my house would develop expanding rooms!

[@DavidRice-bz2dd]

That sounds so cool. Make vinegar out of leftovers. Cool

[@Martipenny]

You can also use avocado pits in many ways besides growing them. They can be added to smoothies for their nutritional value. High in potassium and magnesium. Also ground into powder to add to food. Make a delicious tea and of course the out makes a beautiful dye.

[@bbrhody831]

Avacado seeds have medicinal purposes as well

[@joju24]

I do this with store bought scallions, I wash them cut the root part and put it in the dirt, then chop the rest and freeze. You can break off a piece of chopped scallions very easily to use. The roots grow more scallions at least one round of scallions.

[@lindakimberly4170]

@@joju24 absolutely everything. I even plant celery butts!

[@nrandall1971]

Learning skills is so important and will save you so much money. I have learned so many skills on my own since 2020 by using books and KZbin. Here’s what I’ve learned so far : Refurbishing furniture Grooming Dogs Painting my house Make sourdough starter Make sourdough breads Gardening and growing from seed Canning food Thank you Leisa for this video!

[@SuttonsDaze]

♥️♥️♥️

[@tootsie2]

I'm 73 and have lived this lifestyle since I was 28. It was a necessity when we were raising 3 sons (plus an added one or 2) we have gardened and canned and kept a stocked pantry. We now drive a 27 and 17 year old pickups. I shop thrift stores. I have bought some modern appliances but none have computer parts. I make most our meals from scratch and use left overs. I make my own bread and other food products like yogurt and kifer. Our gift giving us mostly things we make. This Christmas gifts are chartreure boards with canned and baked goods. I even make my own detergents, toothpaste and skin cream products which are healthier. We are in a very rural area so we mainly shop in a small town 7 miles away. We rarely drive to a bigger town unless absolutely necessary. We find contentment in our activities at home and with our church family.

[@maryannkom299]

I’m forever thinking about my grandmother. She was born in 1918, and though she didn’t talk much about it, I think those depression years were huge for her. She was a teenager. Ever since I could remember my grandma planted an enormous vegetable garden. They purchased enough land to grow 2 or three head of cattle, and when m😊y dad was growing up, they also had chickens, a pig and a milk cow. They all lived and my dad grew up in Northern Idaho. Even when I was a young woman, they still grew a couple head of cattle. She never stopped gardening. My grandpa built their house, and they lived in the basement while upstairs was being built. So she had a basement kitchen. She had a big pantry down there, filled with everything she canned. Vegetables, fruit, meat and even fish. There are three lakes up there where fish could be caught, and her 4 sons loved to fish. My dad was a peaceful guy but had 2 brothers who loved to hunt. So they had that. Plus they traded beef for other meats, especially when they decided to stop raising a pig. But if they wanted chicken, they butchered one. My grandmother was an expert seamstress. She took in mending at one point in her life. She used to make us cute little clothing items. She could take scraps and work them into a garment. It’s only after20 + years since she’s past away that I’ve realized what an amazing woman she was. I loved her fiercely. I remember her pantry with a curtain door, filled with jars of food. She raised 5 children, and if you listened to my dad, he had a hard life, but I don’t think he really did. Both my parents were born in the shadow of WWII, my father at the beginning in 1942, and my mother at the end, in 1945. In fact her initials were VJS. As she was born just after Japan surrendered. Victory over Japan. And her name was Vickie Jean. She’s still living at almost 80. But it’s so amazing when I watch KZbin I see young people living in similar ways as my grandmother did. Learning to sew and garden, and forage and hunt. I love to see it. And it still blows my mind that my grandmother was 50 the year I was born, a full 6 years younger than my current age. Sorry this was so long. But I love seeing the return to her way of life.

[@suzetteshares]

I enjoyed reading it. My parents were born in 1920. I was the baby of the family. My Mother was amazing.

[@do-it-yourself-skills]

YAY! I scored a 20 out of 20 because I do all these things! Learned how to cook from scratcch and garden as a kid and was making my own clothes by age 11. My parents lived through the Depression and they taught me well. What they didn't teach me, I went out and studied on my own. Now I have a website and budding KZbin channel so I can teach others the skills I learned.

[@ruthjames4299]

Being able to sew is a wonderful skill - saves money and gives you the ability to mend, reuse and revamp clothing you already have.

[@denisewilson8367]

Ii sewed the 2 tone western tuxedo shirts and the tulip western skirts for my wedding party when I got married. I use to make wallets, belts and leather vests. But all my tools were stolen. So, I don't do it anymore. I love to build things from scratch. I don't use plans I just take the idea from my mind and put it together. I have taught myself how to work on my vehicles, lawnmower and zero turn. I've even changed out one cars engine & transmission. And assisted my boss to remove & replace the semi trucks transmission. I like to do things with my hands.

[@MaryEllis-n3o]

@@ruthjames4299 I sew as well. Mostly home decor. But I have repaired pants, jackets and buttons for a lot of senior men in my neighborhood. Sometimes I will ask them how to fix a lamp or whatever. They will fix it for me.

[@debbiechase7762]

@@ruthjames4299 meee to!

[@debbiechase7762]

@@ruthjames4299 too

[@colleencarpenter8898]

I have sewed all my life. I was sewing machine operator for 35 years. My grandson had an old comforter he loved. It was ripped and following apart. I cut it down and made a pillow out of it so he still has his beloved blanket to cuddle with.

[@ladyluger8698]

Still using the 40 yr old Sears heavy duty washer and dryer that was here when I bought my condo.

[@sharoncovington7023]

I miss my old Kenmore dryer.

[@vickiegroome3220]

Bought Kenmore dryer and electric range 1985.Minimal maintenance and still good.

[@patshallick6487]

Old Time things were built with quality. And made to last. The company took pride in the things because it had their name on it.​@@vickiegroome3220

[@orthohawk1026]

it is unfortunate, but things made nowadays are designed to break down in 3-5 years so you're forced to buy new. It's a huge scam.

[@lindagourley5368]

I have done these things most of my life. I'm 75 and so glad I know how to grow my food and preserve it. I taught my sons and grandson to do it as well. With all the recalls on every sort of food, including fresh produce, I don't consider the food sources to be safe. We both have health issues, and a food born illness would probably put us in the hospital. We are building a greenhouse so we can grow year round. Thank you for encouraging others to make these changes. I grew up with the waste not want not attitude.

[@Paulina_Chin]

I just subscribed ❤… actually I am grateful for struggling in my 20s since it forced me to learn how to cook from scratch, buy in season, look for items in thrift stores, and how to DIY things like my hair. I’m also so extremely grateful now. Something simple like being able to grocery shop without having to anxiously budget still sometimes brings me tears of gratitude.

[@trudyhoffmann6405]

The first home my husband and I lived in was the farm stead house. When it rained we had leaks. When we pulled the shingles off we found that it wasn't a fully covered roof and old tin cans were used to patch holes. When we painted inside, gma had watered down the paint to make it go around. Kept getting a little lighter in color. Frugal at it's best. Living within their means.

[@SuttonsDaze]

Sounds like they were resourceful and determined.

[@Boone22]

I use the old sieve also. I wear my clothes out, boy..(the husband tells me I look homeless ). I just refuse to put on town clothes to work in the garden. We manufacture our own lumber from fellen tree to the mill sawing. I believe raise and grow your own food. If not possibly assist in a Community Farm/garden. Back in the 70's, we live back to basic ways. Knowledge of different hand tools,home repair and building needs. I sew,mend,crochet, knit,darn socks. I'm very frugal. My power bill is $7.49 a month. Reduce your wants!!

[@patriciacooke886]

Wow, you are amazing

[@JmarieD]

I have home " work" clothes also. They are stained, have holes etc but are fine to do my cleaning and chores. I don't need to impress my chickens

[@colleencarpenter8898]

I wish, my electric bill is around 220$ and that's just lights and dryer. Next summer I putting up a clothes line. I'm so over paying these outrageous bills.

[@janetnunn210]

I have been seed saving for a few years now and I just this week bought radish and collard seeds for the spring planting.I also got some seeds to put into the Christmas boxes I am making for my grown children. I thought my canning season was done but a friend just gifted me 2 pumpkins.I try to do one thing a dayfor my pantry and do it really well. All your great advice is really helping me.thankyou

[@SuttonsDaze]

That is so wonderful!

[@sharoncovington7023]

Christmas boxes...I like that idea. We had 4 children all grown now.

[@kellyzeichner1340]

I loved! DO ONE THING FOR MY PANTRY A DAY! Learn skills!

[@susanmercurio1060]

I have a rule that every tool in my kitchen must be able to do more than one thing. That keeps me from buying most of the gadgets that are offered. #2: I think it's sad that most people now don't know how to cook. Their parents grew up when food processing companies came out with "easy" foods and didn't cook so they didn't teach their children to cook. #3 I don't eat processed foods. #4: I live in a studio apartment and I want to grow a lot of my food in my apartment. I was amazed when you brought up Sven! #5: My grandmother and my mother were great cooks, but they didn't can anything. When I had an in-ground garden, I had such a bumper crop of tomatoes that I taught myself to can them. Now I make things that cost a fortune in the store but are easy to put up at home. #7: Where we went wrong with everything taking away all of the natural smells was in the 1950s, when Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring. What annoys me now are the ads telling women that they have to change the normal scent of their vaginas! Napoleon wrote to Josephine asking her not to wash for a couple of days before he got back home because he loved her scent! #8: When my kids were young and we were on welfare while I went to college, I designed car trips so that we went in one direction outbound (with many stops on the way) and one direction back (with other stops on that way). I used to belong to a group that bartered hours for helping each other, but the group wasn't well-run and I dropped out. Good idea, though. 19:25 Turn your air conditioner down! Funny, all of the things you have suggested up to here are all things that my mother taught us. (She was a Depression-era child.) I have been foraging for wild lettuce because it's supposed to be a good painkiller.

[@DrValerie800]

Yep; I remember lots of things my parents & aunts did, being a child of the 50's. I used to sew all my own clothes plus couch covers, thermal lined drapes, reversible coats (rain repellent on one side, cotton on the other), did my own car tune-ups (before they went to computer parts), cooked, cleaned, , took care of my siblings, etc. I could also change the tires on my car. My parents taught us kids to be independent; it didn't stick with my sister who is 10 years younger. I can add wilderness survival skills plus medical skills on top of all that, as well as animal husbandry and gardening. It amazes me how few people today can do any of that!

[@NawanaMcGaha]

I am out of debt 15 years now !Thank God !!

[@LaillaBelgrade]

My sister told me that, she thought that " I was kinda silly for my prepping. After, Helene and Milton her opinions have changed. Sometimes it really does take a proverbial "slap in the face" to realize what is going on. Thank you and all the other preppers for the knowledge I have been able to accumulate over the past 5+years, I'm not sure which one of you introduced Abby Joseph Cohen CFA on your platforms but my investments with her have been quite sustaining and the reason why I can afford prepping despite my meagre wages.

[@Martipenny]

Boy isn’t that the truth!! A slap in the face for sure!! We have what’s called neighborhood alert and during the hurricane when the officials were telling us to stay put and not go out because of falling trees we would get messages on the alert asking if anyone knew if DoorDash was delivering??!! Also, was Starbucks open?? Some people didn’t have any food in the house, didn’t know how to make coffee during a power outage and wanted to get food delivered!! So crazy!! And yes, we were prepared!! Before the power came back on someone was asking if Waffle House was open. I laughed and said, No, but there’s waffles at my house!! Frozen and warmed up on the propane cooker I use for canning!😁

[@AliciaSalvadore]

I went from no money to lnvest with to busting my A** off on Uber eats for four months to raise about $20k to start trading with Abby Joseph Cohen. I am at $128k right now and LOVING that you have to bring this up here

[@EmilyPateI]

How can i reach this Abby Joseph Cohen, if you don't mind me asking? I've known her by her reputation at Goldman Sachs

[@LaillaBelgrade]

​@@EmilyPateIWell her name is 'ABBY JOSEPH COHEN SERVICES'. Just research the name. You'd find her details to set up an appointment.

[@AliciaSalvadore]

​@EmilyPateI Well her name is 'ABBY JOSEPH COHEN SERVICES'. Just research the name. You'd find necessary details to set up an appointment.

[@357Addict]

My Dad's mother raised 11 children through the great depression. My Dad said he helped her raise a huge garden. She canned all of the extra produce. My Dad learned to can and I learned from him.

[@l.5832]

When you are older, please do NOT sit in the dark! If the phone rings or someone comes to the door you will instinctively get up quickly and most likely fall reaching for a light. The pennies in power you save will be lost to a hospital bill for a broken hip. I would encourage all seniors to have a night light so as to always be able to orient themselves. They do not take much power and are well worth it.

[@cfreeman5830]

I cant sleep with any light in the room. I keep a flashlight beside me if I have to get up

[@feiradragon7915]

Night lights are indeed very useful. Sometimes I use the bathroom in the dark solely because the night light in there is enough to see what I'm doing without disrupting nocturnal vision. Also battery powered flashlights (in cases of power outages particularly) can help navigate at night. Keeping a flashlight somewhere that would be in reach of the bed or other frequented areas is generally a good idea. No matter what's around though, a smart phone can serve as a flashlight when necessary.

[@RuthKabrud-zh2gp]

You mentioned a victory Garden and my heart bloomed ! ... I have a newspaper article about my dad from 1939 ... about his Victory Garden that he grew in Manchester Ohio ... sparked a wonderful memory

[@katelarouche2835]

Moving into an intown apartment was one of the most foolish ideas I've ever had. I cant wait to get back to my tiny camp in the meadow where everything worked together in harmony. No worries about power outages with the wood stove. No trash, no cash and best of all no feeling that my lifetime of subsistence skills were being wasted.

[@beccaleigh7744]

We use castile liquid soap for the clothes, off-brand dawn for the dishes, and we just let the heat sterilize the dishes in the dishwasher. We also use a bidet and a basket of clean small wash rags. These changes amount to about 1500 dollars in savings each year, and it's really easy to keep a significant back-stock of ONE single soap product that works for literally everything except shampoo and toothpaste. Windows? Floors? Mirrors? Bath? Toilet? Body soap? Face soap? All different dilutions of the same castile soap.

[@bettye444]

I had no idea.

[@ourmodernhomestead2974]

So you use the liquid castile soap in your dishwasher as dishwasher cleaner? And as a laundry detergent? Can you tell me if you dilute it at all? Or how much you use per load? Thank you

[@beccaleigh7744]

@ourmodernhomestead2974 Dishes: I fill a sink basin with hot, soapy water and scrub the dishes without rinsing. They should be clean of all food, but not sterile. Place in the dishwasher. Run the sink tap water to heat up the water in the pipes, and once it becomes hot, turn off the tap water and immediately run the dishwasher with no soap or detergent of any kind, relying on the heat to kill germs. Most modern dishwashers have a heating element that is capable of maintaining heat, but it's not strong enough to heat up cool water. This is why you should run the tepid water out of the line before starting the dishwasher. I recommend doing this even if you still want to use detergent. Also, be sure to clean any filters regularly. For laundry, windows, floors, counters, sinks, tubs, hardware, etc. I started off with the dilution instructions listed on the Dr. Bronner's soap dilution cheat sheet, wich is available online. I have significantly changed those since then, though. I don't really add anything like vinegars or sodas, and I only use about 3 tablespoons for a load of laundry. I also use significantly less for mopping (just a squirt in 2 gallons of hot water) and every 3rd or 4th time I do a water-only mop to avoid any soap build-up. I think the only other care and cleaning products I buy are shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, and vanicream light lotion. That's it! I occasionally buy separate dawn-style soap, but honestly that's more out of habit than anything. The castile soap works great for that, too.

[@orthohawk1026]

I've been stocking up on castile liquid soap for a few years now, and use it for just about everything: body wash, dish soap, shampoo, general cleaner, etc. I think there's about 12 gallons down in my now, mostly tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus scents. When I started, I bought 2 gallons; one to use and one to store. then when i finished the one-to-use gallon, I go on line and get two more gallons, one to replace the one I just finished and the other one goes into storage.

[@mojoflyingsolo639]

My Grand mother taught me a lot about saving everything, she had boxes of old clothes that she would show us how to take the buttons, zippers, and hooks off, then get them ready to cut into quilt squares. To this day I still save all those buttons and zippers. I also have her rag rugs thimbles that she used to make her rugs, you thread the cloth through them and they fold the edges into the center then you can stitch them into long strips and braid your rug then whip stich the braids into a circle or oval rug. Lost art. She lived through the depression with 4 young children and adding to the family until she had 9 children total. She taught me how to make butter, pit cherries, and showed me how to can, miss that woman every day. Thank you for teaching us all your knowledge. Will be praying for your quick recovery after your surgery.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

That rag rug thimble thing sounds like a plastic bag holder I got from my auntie. I bet I could re-use it to make rag rugs from some old clothes I was saving for that.

[@RenegadeDesigns]

7:07 Landlord said I can't plant in ground. I said fine and went to a buy nothing group and got like 50 different pots for free and had to pay like $10 for soil since I don't have compost(yet) and started growing potatoes, onions, scallions, mint, lemon balm, garlic, pumpkin and corn. Though tbf the potatoes, pumpkin and corn died before I could harvest them. But I still am enjoying lemon balm tea, peppermint ice cream, scallion covered pasta and I collected the seeds from my onion bulb plant since I grew up the bulbs and got them to let off the seeds that will turn into bulbs next planting season

[@mp5132]

My elderly dad still lives on his farm like its 1943. But its soo simple it works.

[@judithmitchell9065]

I'm the youngest child of older parents and my mother was the youngest child of older parents too so my grandparents were (young) adults when WWI broke out. In the UK, we had rationing during both WWs and, of course, the Great Depression affected us too. So, I was raised by a frugal mother who learnt it from her mother. However, I am still learning more ways to be frugal and even actively look for ways to be frugal that I don't already use. I only put the oven on if I have enough to fill it - whether this is a baking session, batch cooking several recipes or rummaging in the freezer to see what else I can cook up (even if I then re-freeze it) while I'm cooking XYZ. When it comes to the bathroom, I use a little ditty - if it is yellow, let it mellow. If it is brown, flush it down - which helps save water (and money!). And so many more... A couple of years ago, when I was having my central heating serviced, the plumber told me that I needed to replace several radiators as they were no longer working. When I added up the cost of the replacement radiators, it would have cost more money than I had to get the radiators alone - never mind the plumber's hourly rate, VAT etc. I took a closer look at the radiators and found that the bleed valves on each had worn (plus one that didn't turn on at the valve). Using long nosed pliers and a 13 spanner, I fixed my radiators myself. As I already had the pliers and the spanner, the total cost was nil, nada, zero. That plumber is no longer the one I use, btw. I found another one who is much more sensible about repairs over replacement. I'm more than happy to have a go at any household repairs myself, even if I don't have a clue what to do - KZbin and the internet are an utter blessing in those situations!

[@delnacarruthers7277]

Great video as always! I'm 66 my Grandma taught me so much about fixing things with what you have...........old wire hangers, needle and thread, twine, she was great! Never got in her old truck without her Bible next to her on the seat. I think I'm gonna start doin that...crazy drivers in today's world! Thanks again, pray for each other.

[@jazzycat312]

Bible in the old truck- what a sweet story!

[@christyyutzy8504]

My great grandparents, and my grammy grew up during the dust bowl and depression in a small town in Oklahoma. I have a pic of my grammy at 16. She looked 12. They survived on turnips. I grow them now. Learning gardening and canning and being prepared for hard times is in my blood. I miss her so much. And my dad, sure could use their advice right now

[@GnomeInPlaid]

Keep a diary, future generations will fight over it.

[@jazzycat312]

You're Grammy left you with a lot of good things you'll never forget❤.

[@pattytheseeker8902]

My parents were kids during the great depression & young adults when the USA entered WWII. My dad was a veteran. The USA also had their food rationed during that war. They've passed away however, they were both in their forties when I was born, I'm the baby of the family with 4 older siblings. It's wonderful how many things I learned from them. By the time I came along they had great life experience & good sense. How to be frugal was something they knew a lot about. They both grew up on their family's farms. They knew how to do so many things & passed that knowledge on to all us kids!

[@Scriptorsilentum]

11:45 - can't reseal commercial jars... you can but only ONCE. anything after that will involve an Emergency Room. best example from my childhood: Welch's grape jelly. I loved the stuff on buttered wheat toast and so did my half-Siamese black Cat Luke. he wouldn't stop until he got his piece even if it meant a coupla claws judiciously place to let me and Mom know he - The Cat - meant some real business about that buttered toast and grape jelly. And he got his way. that being recalled i also clearly remember Mom telling me that the jar was to be washed carefully, dried and put away until fall for preserving. she said a glass jar and metal top can be reused the one time. after that it's not gonna safely seal again. dad's workshop was full of glass jars holding every screw, nail, etc you could think of. also our kitchen had several jars filled with matchbooks and match boxes for when the power would invariably go out in winter. i still don't have "proper" hardware bins in my junk drawer or my own workshop. it's all old p butter jars, glass jars of all sizes and it's all see-through. rodent-proof, Cat proof (usually), better than filling up a freakin' landfill! Excellent video and darned glad this one was in my feeds. watched twice before i made a comment.

[@chrisgilmore4591]

I am pretty frugal, I can as much as I can, but my down fall is…..I don’t people. When I get home, I shut the world out. At 65, I am quite happy by myself. I moved to a different state six years ago and outside of the people I work with, I know about three or four people. I am only an hour and a half from my family in a different state and we pretty much make sure we all have what we need.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I'm like this as well.

[@dorothymcmahon9995]

This is the way it was. I was just thinking about that the other day. When people went home it was their sanctuary. People weren't contacting you 24/7 or violating your privacy.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

@@dorothymcmahon9995 Yes, and people contacted before coming by, and there were traditional times to accept visitors. They would even have calling cards in some areas.

[@jazzycat312]

Same here. 62. Kids are grown and moved away. The general perception is that I must be lonely and lacking. They don't understand the beauty of peace and home.

[@pamelaveith-h1p]

I was gifted about 50 lbs of butternut squash - Watched your video about canning it and the process is underway. Started yesterday with peeling, seeding and cubing. I pooped out about 7pm so its in the sink with ice and water. In a bit I will begin blanching and canning - jars are all set up and waiting for me. While the jars are processing - my canner will hold 7 quarts at a time - While processing I will tackle the decluttering/cleaning/organizing that is long overdue. Cold here this morning and still dark so as soon as I can see outside the chickens and ducks will be released into their yard and they'll be fed and water checked...then back inside to continue. A large farmstand up the road has provided me with all the overripe or damaged veggies throughout the summer and fall for my birds so bringing the last of the their gifts from yesterday down. Tomorrow I'll work on outside prewinter chores. I love your videos, I appreciate your way of explaining and suggesting. Thank you for the pep talks and very useful ideas.

[@GnomeInPlaid]

I live where it gets very cold in winter. I'm going to make a large non-electric fridge from leftover styrofoam sheets, plywood and the door front from a 1960's camper fridge - it's that 1960s blue color. I'll be keeping it in a cold room that's used as an in-house root cellar type set-up. I can easily rotate jugs of water outside overnight to freeze in winter, then set them in my homemade fridge. That's why fridges used to be called "iceboxes". Thanks for all the pointers, Leisa.

[@blessedgmp8964]

I put a timer on my water heater. It’s only on between 6-9 am and 7-10 Pm. It stays hot mostly during the day without turning on to heat every time you use a little water. I wash in cold water anyway. Saves me money every month. I have no debt but it’s getting harder and harder to live within my means. I’m on SS and everything keeps going up and up especially medical insurance which at my age I can’t be without.

[@YahwehsbountifulHarvest]

I have small hot peppers growing and kale in my greenhouse. Getting ready to renovate my greenhouse, by making the ground more warm and add grow lights and a tea light radiator

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

I have a very handy husband and he constantly trades trades! He can plaster, fence, build anything from wood, stone, do plumbing, painting, change locks, fix rooves, loads of stuff and he swaps with his pal who is a mechanic, farmer friends who have equipment we can use short term instead if buying, whoever. We soooo rarely pay for tradesmen and for that, being the finance department of the relationship, I am super super grateful.😊

[@jazzycat312]

Those type of husbands are a treasure.

[@livingthegoodlifeinwales]

@jazzycat312 thanks, surely are.♥️

[@kathyl1162]

My parents were born in '34 and '40. I'm 45 with 7 kids of my own. I remember my dad use to work on everything...cars, lawnmower, washer. My mom use to save every part of clothes... couldn't repair jeans anymore cut the zipper and buttons off to save for something else...shirt with too many holes save all the buttons and cut the shirt into squares to make quilts... pajamas worn out...cut into squares for quilts. She use to cook all of our food from scratch, no feozen chicken nuggets or pizza for me like my classmates had because most of their parents were young enough to be my parent's children. Loved playing with my mom's thousands of buttons though.

[@SuttonsDaze]

I have my mother and grandmother's button jars! ♥️

[@bbrhody831]

​@SuttonsDaze yall just made me cry. I have my grans button basket. That's how she taught us how to count and make change. She's been gone 25 yrs. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for her teaching me her frugal ways. I miss her so.

[@SuttonsDaze]

@@bbrhody831 ♥️♥️

[@kathywilliams-xt9kd]

I save all of the buttons as well! And fabric either for sewing or cleaning rags.

[@Grassmonster3]

As the price of electricity rose and rose, I dumped my electric gizmos into the charity shop and scoured Ebay and charity shops for old, handcranked kitchen gadgets - rotary hand mixer, cast iron hand cranked meat grinder, meat slicer, bean slicer etc. Free to use and can still be pressed into service if the grid goes down. I looked at what light bulbs I had where - other than going from room A to room B, do I do anything else in the hall ? Nope so I changed out for the lowest wattage bulb I could find - it's just there to stop me tripping over in the dark. I didn't need four bulbs blazing in the kitchen light fitting that my landlord thought was a good idea so I took 2 out.

[@gingerpryor7539]

Just acquired the treadle sewing machine I’ve wanted for a while.

[@randimochamer6284]

My son has all the gadgets… But I find myself just getting rid of almost everything. The only things I keep are those kitchen things that assist my arthritis. That’s it. That said, I do love my little string-pull chopper that I saw Patera use! It’s perfect size for small and large jobs… and littles in my family love it….

[@victoriabecraft6166]

@@gingerpryor7539 I love my treadle sewing machine! It goes right through 4 layers of denim without even slowing down!

[@gingerpryor7539]

@ I’ve been upcycling old jeans into bags and bears which is one reason I wanted a treadle. My electric 99 and 15 do a great job but really want to continue sewing… grid or no grid.

[@tinascott1479]

It's hiliarious when I find treasures at the resale shop!!! I needed a new sewing machine, I walked in the resale shop, this sewing machine was still wrapped in the plastic and original packaging. Super cheap, I was like I hit the jackpot!!!! Stocking my pantry is so important!

[@EvaWarren-b3t]

You are right 100% I saw a podcast about how the people came together after the hurricane tore through Asheville NC to get everyone taken care of. It made my heart sing.❤

[@randimochamer6284]

Oh, man! So,e of my best childhood memories are using those old sieves of my grandmothers and mother! I recently bought one at a resale shop for $1…. And speaking of dryers… bought ours used and have fixed it twice-still for less than a new one. I agree. Simple is best.

[@tinagale7840]

I found an All American canner (brand new in the box) at the thrift store for about 1/4th the price of new. Canning jars off of craigslist CHEAP!

[@joannc147]

Wow….you won the “canning lotto” on that one! Well done.

[@stuartaminion511]

raised down south on a farm, the community would get together and help harvest each others land. 5 farmers with us (6 groups) one: it went faster. two: we helped one then the other to get the crops out. most had different food stuff and afterward we would share what we had. (corn for peas, beans for blueberries, etc.) did this until my grandpa died. but my grandma would cook and all over they would share cooked food. one brings say a ham another corn bread, other carrets and peas, we would feast. this went on until my grandma died. then all us children went to moden life. no one help any (only if someone thought "hey lets have a yard cookout" like a community b.b.q. miss those days. everyone knew everyone. even the dogs would get together on the off night to have a beer. you think that picture of the dogs playing cards was fake...ha. sometimes i wish it was so again. the only time we get together is when a disaster hits. so sad. we also barrtered food stuff as i said tomatos for corn.

[@darkangelkate3950]

Thank you for this video. It was excellent. The only thing i would add is using baking soda for cleaning. It is cheap (shh!), combined with vinegar, it will clean anything The other thing that I have do is I don't bathe every day. I don't work in a coal mine and soap and water are hard on your skin. I only wash my face once a day and apply moisturizer then. Haven't used makeup of any kind in 10 years. Buy all my clothes used and when able buy men's clothes. They are always a lot cheaper. Ok, I will shut up now. Take care and I am going to binge watch your videos❤

[@SuttonsDaze]

♥️♥️

[@lyswatkins9321]

AND most 'men's clothing' is made of better material & sewn better--usually cheaper in price, too!

[@shelleypegram1450]

Love this!!! Growing up, my mom canned and froze food, pickled, made jams and jellies, and so much more. And my dad hunted and fished. They'd buy a cow from the butcher. We always had home cooked meals and fresh baked bread. My mom also baked every day. I didn't realize how good we had it growing up. I wanted the TV dinners and fast food that all my friends had. It was only after I got older that I appreciated the hard work my parents did to give us the best in life. We didn't have alot of money, but we had what was important. My mom was a stay at home mom. We had 5 kids in our family. My dad worked 12 hour shifts every day. He also worked alot of Saturdays. He was a great inspiration in my life in so many ways. Sometimes we don't realize how much of a blessing the older ways were. I also agree with you about the technology stuff. I would much rather do without it. Those were much better and less complicated days for sure. I miss those days!