10 Great Depression Habits That Can Save Your Life

[@annprescott7723]

Thanks!

[@SuttonsDaze]

I’m glad you found it helpful!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@Sageandgold]

Love this

[@deelong2862]

Ty

[@deelong2862]

❤

[@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!

[@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 🎉

[@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.😢

[@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

[@donaldcurtis9229]

I grew up with my grandparents on a farm they went to the depression I remember everything they taught me and told me

[@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,,,

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@patriciafisher1170]

I have avocado seedlings everywhere too. Look up leaves you can eat on KZbin. Avocado leaves are very good for you

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.❤

[@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.

[@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]

♥️♥️♥️

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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 😊

[@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 😲

[@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.

[@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

[@melodyfordham7878]

My grandma kept foil, wax paper, string, and rubber bands! Amongst other things. The rubber bands were kept on a door knob. When a knob got full you used another. Loved the wonder bread bag reference- I’m 74. I remember. 💕💕

[@lucythomas4077]

Amen sister. You said a month full. The washers they make don’t clean your clothes. Miss the old style washers.

[@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.

[@simonefeaster5131]

Thank you, Leisa, for once again reminding us all that just a few generations back this type of self-reliance was the norm. I get the biggest kick out of making as much of my own food from scratch as possible, and I love how it lowers my food cost and improves my health. I’m also a big fan of making do: When my clothes drying rack busted at one end, I used zip ties to rig it back up😂 Keep these fantastic videos coming! And take good care before your surgery❤

[@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

[@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.

[@debr8107]

We put up a clothesline when we saw the additional charge for delivery on the bill. I also bought a couple of retractable clothesline in case of rain or cold weather. Found a treadle sewing machine at an estate sale. Bought a grain mill that can be hand cranked or run by a bike or power tool, lol.

[@joshply9579]

Oh my! I have wanted a treddle for 40 years! You go!!!

[@cowgirlhippiechick9911]

I am still using my Grandmothers set of Stainless Steel Revereware pots and pans, as well as her waffle iron. I cook almost everything from scratch. I'm almost 63. Also not on any prescription meds. No processed foods. Easier and less expensive!

[@SuttonsDaze]

That is amazing!

[@sharoncovington7023]

My Momma had Revereware pots and pans. I have one of them. They are awesome.

[@decoy8645]

I have had my Revere ware for about 35 years . Best pots ive ever had.

[@KellyBoettcher-qo9tx]

Love this

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I still cook in my mom's Revere ware and I am 70. I also still use her cast iron skillet, added a wok and Dutch oven.

[@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.

[@maryloomis8075]

I've never bought gravy mix. Always cook from scratch, and have the least expensive appliances with easiest repair. My mother taught me to can and none of my three sisters does any of these things except maybe scratch cakes. I save twist ties, grocery bags, and some yogurt or cottage cheese containers for things. Thank you for these videos.

[@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.

[@joannacurran8475]

I grow a terrace garden. Celery, tomatoes, zucchini, butternut squash, green beans, french beans, green onions. I have just started another set of green beans, rice and potatoes and I have a lovely supply of 'wild' baby tomato plants. I am going to start sweet potatoes and try onions- the latter do not seem to want to grow here in humid tropics - 7-8 months rainy season.

[@sherryhagerty9171]

In case you are unaware....there are 3 types of onions, long, short and neutral day....since you said tropical I am assuming you need short or at least neutral day onions! Good luck!

[@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.

[@denisemusicnut]

My pressure canner came in a one dollar box lot from an estate auction in the 1990s. No one else wanted it! It came with a few jars as well.

[@moonafarms1621]

⭐ that is an incredible find!!!!

[@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!

[@NawanaMcGaha]

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

[@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.🙏

[@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.

[@magsstewart5488]

On the topic of smelly cleaners: I can’t use most of them as they cause migraines for me. I do however, keep a large stock of essential oils that please, and not bother me. Lemongrass makes me happy, tea tree makes me feel good. A few drops in boiling water scents most of your house.

[@victoriabecraft6166]

I use eucalyptus in my homemade laundry soap. We love the smell.

[@lindatown1193]

I've sat in the dark my whole life. My parents were blind. Lol. I still live my life that way.

[@bluebirdgramma6317]

Proud of you.

[@tammihughes6229]

I cannot imagine. I was always afraid of the dark

[@Martipenny]

That’s so funny!!!! My Mom was blind and I never turn on lights either!😂😂😁. When people complain I just tell them I was raised by a blind woman! Sometimes they don’t believe me but my husband tells them it’s true!

[@TaraLee627]

My kids (all adults now) think I’m crazy for not turning lights on. I shower in the dark! I have often told them I must have been a northern farmer in a past life, lol. Can’t stand electric lights at night. Bring on the lanterns and candles

[@DeborahDaniels-f3y]

I can with commercial jars both WB and PC ! And I vacuum seal dry goods with them too . I buy the biggest containers of peanut butter and save them too after their empty ! I'm a big time believer of ( use it up, wear It out,or go without . All I can say is Thank you for everything you and other homestead/prepper KZbinrs are trying to help teach us how to do !

[@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.😊

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@MommaDiPrepping]

I love my juicer for my tomatoes. I used the tomato sieve for many years but when I messed up my shoulder, I couldn’t use it any more. I also love love my All American canners. But I don’t want a lot of small appliances cluttering up my pantry or my kitchen. I absolutely love cooking from scratch! I learned a lot from my elders and just want to cook from my pantry.

[@DebbieBollerup]

Yes Do want you can. With what you have. Where your at😊

[@denisewilson8367]

My Grandparents & Great Grandparents taught me how they lived/survived. I grew up with all but 1 of them until I was in my teens, when I started losing my great grandparents who were still growing/raising and storing thier food with large gardens and animals. Including milking the family cow by hand.

[@Texasgirl10Growing]

Girl, you have skills! 🥰

[@ladylocust1118]

Thank you! 100% agree ~ laundry products stink from a block away. Haha - wonder bread boot liners- yep.

[@deborahlopez3603]

My mom grew up during the depression and she saves a lot of things I considered senseless while growing up. Now here I am in my 60’s so thankful for what she taught me.

[@MarshaShelley-t3n]

I love reading! And sewing! And going for walks when its not blazing hot or too much snow and ice. Evenings are great outside! Fresh air and this time of year extra ptetty with the deciduos trees turning color!❤

[@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.

[@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!

[@beezen54]

Thanks Lisa another great video. I'm 70 this year and really amazed at how much our society has become unaware of the things I grew up doing. They have no clue how to live a simple life. So I try to teach those skill to whoever wants to learn. One thing I feel very positive about is reading books that teach new skills. My Dad taught me 5 really useful things. 1. Learn to smile. 2.Be a good listener. 3.Learn something new everyday.4. Share your knowledge with people who ask. 5.How to save , reuse ,repurpose ,repair and make do. All have been useful through out my life.

[@gfc_in_the_oh9067]

I have saved my cans from my freeze dried food for a bit now. I even make covers for them out of plastic canvas so they match my kitchen and I put my cooking utensils in some of them. I make my own cleaner out of vinegar and citrus peels, started that last year. Working on composting, to help me learn to grow veggies and cut down on my trash. Invested in reusable silicone bags so that I don’t have to buy as many freezer bags. You can get the pickle smell out of jars with baking soda and water, we save every glass jar we can so that I don’t have to use all my canning jars.

[@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.

[@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 us 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.

[@barbaradavis7400]

I was raised out of a jar not out of a can and just about everything you said I just about do all of them. I was raised poor and I never forgot all the things my mom told me. I am 74 and still running strong. I have had to use my imagination to figure things out or to fix things. But I thank for what you do

[@LindaBunch-f1o]

I'm 71, my mom taught ua to cook from about 5, and I was the hero of my home ec classes from middle school on. My kids all grew up with scratch made cuz,,, welfare for their first 10 years.

[@Karen-ip8qk]

Leisa, you crack me up! Love your spunk! I am 65 and did not know that many things I do are depression related. I reuse my foil, zipper baggies. I save my bread bags and use to store leftover biscuits and bread. I recently had a large hole (too big to sew or patch) in one of our fitted sheets. I cannot bring myself to throw it away because I know I can use it for something. I buy my clothes are a resale shop where 50% of the items are brand new. I cannot bring myself to buy new, expensive clothes, just to outgrow them :(

[@donnaaskew3684]

We have a small house and small yard so a few challenges to say the least LOL We LOVE/ENJOY our home very much! I am not sure if we are not too bright or if gardening is definitely a progressive skill. We started container gardening, very small scale, three years ago and even with help from a very dear friend; we have learned something(s) LOL new every year. Each year gets better! Thank goodness!!! My point...gardening needs dedication and a little bit of time each day but the taste of homegrown food is phenomenal. We don't have much growing but it supplements our grocery purchases most of the year (for 2 people)!!! And it keeps us off the streets and from asking our kids for bail money 😉

[@MarshaShelley-t3n]

I am glad I grew up on a small family farm and learned cooking from scratch, home canning and dehydrating! Being a single mom for years I learned even more on how to do many other things. I now even make my own cleaning supplies and am learning how to make tinctures and fermenting at 69! My canning book is older so I check with the national canning thing to make sure it's right. Usually is. Mine has that you can longer than the new ones so I will go with the longer time. Only go to town once a month. Set pretty good just need to somehow save enough to get a generator.

[@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.

[@carolbailey2289]

On point! Recycle,reuse,repurpose, and rethink! Every single one of us can do better. I'm so thankful my MawMaw was such a great teacher of frugal ways and self sufficient living.

[@vickiegroome3220]

Remember being 25 and wanted to plant stringbeans between my oil drum and my cool 60 something neighbors porch. Told her I dont know how to cook but I know how to garden. So if I grow these would you cook them on halves? It was a pure delight.

[@SherryKovell]

I have been making my own laundry soap for over 10 years. We always consolidate trips to town to do all our errands at the same time and gas. I remember my dad telling me when I was young "if someone else can learn to do it, so can you". Words to live by.

[@trudyhoffmann6405]

I still patch my son's jeans. He's a welder and is hard on his work clothes. He brings me a pile and I fix. No iron on here! Lol

[@danielleterry2331]

I have been bartering for several years now, of course there are those who just want $ and I understand that but I pretty much work with the people who are willing to barter with me. We both are always smiling and happy when the job is done and it builds friendships

[@victoriabecraft6166]

I have folks who save their cereal bags for me (since we rarely ever purchase store bought cereal). I use vacuum seal bags for my meat before I place it into the deep freezer. I place the meat in the clean cereal bag first and vacuum seal that before I place it into the vacuum seal bags. That way the meat never actually touches the vacuum seal bag so I can reuse the bags.

[@cherylb.9766]

Thank you for the calm and stress free discussion on tips to saving time and money. It's good to see you a little more relaxed.

[@jeepstergal4043]

Oh, Lisa! I hear what you're saying, but I love my old Victorio to process my tomatoes! My old food mill was really inefficient, and difficult to use and clean. But I'm totes with you on the electronic appliances. I miss my old top loader washer. The electronics on the new front loader make it a pain to service and repair.

[@CarolBergquist]

Thanks to you tube my 40 ± son figured out how to fix the washer, lawnmower, snowblower, garden tiller and some plumbing problems. This has saved a whole bunch of money. This is a great tool to learn how to take care of yourself. Just like your videos many have learned some great ideas on preparing yourself for whatever. Learning how to make something you've never done is really fun.

[@DianeWaite-l4x]

My my electric bill is crazy too so lately instead of turning lights on in the living room I use those battery powered lights with the LEDs in them they were great my electric bill went down by $50 and the $50 that I save I use on preps

[@katstar25]

Yes! Our fridge is from 1946, and the stove is from 1951! Still work perfectly! Sure, I have to defrost the fridge every now and then, but better than a computer!

[@kmac5836]

I love saving my jars! I use them for storing rice, dried beans, pasta. Bulk spices. And make and store salad dressings in them. I love making my own cleaning products too. I save my Parmesan cheese lids to use on small jars. I add baking soda and my fav essential oil to it. Shake jar and dust on carpet before vacuuming. It's a great room freshener. Another great video!

[@mkchris9154]

AGREE 100%!!! On everything from pots n pans to cleaning products. I couldn't get my tub clean. I had borax and washing soda. So i put that in there with dawn and let me tell you how clean that tub was!!! That's all i use now!! And it doesn't take much either. Some cleaner's throw me into an asthma attack so badly that i have to air out my place for days. And don't even get me started on the carpet powders. Ick!!! Thank you!!! You are my voice of reasoning and DUH moments!!! I remember my grandma used cans for bacon grease and cutting her biscuits and cookies. She used baby jars to hold her buttons. Whites or clear in one, greens, etc. in other jars. All separate and pretty. And organized. She reused foil all the time until she couldn't. So THANK YOU for the reminder!!! Sometimes we need to remember we don't need expensive "bobbles" to use. (As grandma said.) We just need to use what we have. Keep up the awesome job!! Thanks again!!❤❤❤

[@Martipenny]

We have an HOA where we live but my backyard is all mine. No spaying and in the spring I go out and harvest all the weeds/herbs. If I don’t recognize any of them I take a picture and identify them on my plant app. Then I harvest and label them, do the research and make tinctures or use them for teas. When Covid was going around we caught something but thought it was just a sinus infection with a bit of a cough. We treated the symptoms and never really got sick. So learning all my herbs from my backyard really helps keep us safe and well. Also planted 2 elderberry bushes and transplanted a couple of Mullen plants I found growing wild on our property to its own space and have been adding that to my tea for my asthma. Works great for me. I also water bath and pressure can, grind my own berries for flour and make my own bread. Still trying to learn to garden in this area but I do all the things. Thanks for your videos!! My grands are now asking me to please teach them all I know and I’ve been taking notes from you to add to my prepping tools for the kids!!❤

[@LindaCBMediaGroup]

A #10 can can be transformed into a mini rocket stove or a lantern, especially when you need to control the direction of the candle light.