Invention is the mother of necessity, as the old saying goes.
Economic hardship often leads to new ways of doing things or new inventions entirely.
The 2020 COVID lockdowns put companies such as Zoom and DoorDash into the spotlight.
The gig economy rose to new heights.
The 2008 recession brought a rise ofstreaming servicessuch as Netflix and online shopping on Amazon.
Money-saving methods throughout history even include Great Depression money hacks.
Several itemswe buy for single use can be reusedin a variety of ways.
For example, you could use shoeboxes, takeaway containers and egg cartons for storage.
You also can use tea bags and coffee filters more than once.
you could ensure your clothes last longer and you wont have to buy new ones because of small tears.
Save Through Gardening
A small kitchen garden used to be commonplace.
People saw it as a sign of American self-reliance and a necessity for homesteaders out West.
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But that was all after kitchen gardens had one last flourish during the 30s and 40s.
The economic benefits of a small herb or vegetable garden are self-evident.
you could grow your own food for a relatively cheap investment and earn long-term savings.
Vinegar was the main ingredient in ahomemade all-purpose cleanerthat became an essential tool for homemakers across the country.
Baking soda and orange rindsfreshened up carpets and kept a house smelling fresh.
Not only are many of these cleaning measures budget friendly, theyre also environmentally friendly and better for you.
These avoid harmful or otherwise potent chemicals found in many mass-produced cleaners.
Homemade Gifts
Nothing can quite beat the sentiment of a homemade gift.
Several cost-effective gift ideas hold specific sentimental value, such asbooks of family recipes, scrapbooks and photo albums.
Other Tips from the Depression
The 30s were some of the most difficult years to live through.
The economic downturn touched every part of daily life.
Movie tickets dropped in price in the 30s because of the expansion of cinemas across the country.
The movies represented a cheap, communal form of entertainment,with tickets costing a quarter.
The closest one to you is only a Google search away.
Another easy habit to pick up is using cash.
With peoples faith in their banks at an all time low, most people insisted on only using cash.
While many of these Great Depression money hacks are old-fashioned, they are time-tested.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…