5 Old-Fashioned Ways to Save Money That Still Work Today

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When it comes to frugality, old-fashioned ways to save money are often the most effective—and rewarding. From gardening to scratch cooking to baking, these timeless skills make saving money simple and satisfying.

Short on time or new to simple living? No worries! This post has tips and tricks for incorporating these old-fashioned money-saving skills into a busy, modern life.

A collage featuring fresh eggs, garlic bulbs, and a loaf of homemade bread

Though I grew up in a small farm town, simple living and old-fashioned skills didn’t really become part of my life until I became a mom.

I had my daughter at the height of covid, and in the middle of all the chaos and stress, I needed something grounding and enjoyable. So, I started baking bread from scratch.

Then, I canned some local peaches. After that, I canned a year’s worth of tomatoes, expanded my garden, built a greenhouse, got a freeze dryer…

Now, I’m living a modern suburban life in southeastern North Carolina, while embracing the joys and savings of simple living.

I expected the mental health benefits, but I was surprised by how much money we saved with these old-fashioned skills

Sure, there are modern hacks that come and go. But simple, old-fashioned frugality has stood the test of time.

So today, I want to share with you the old-fashioned skills that can seamlessly integrate with modern life—and save you a lot of money along the way.

A collage of frugal living tips, including canning, gardening, baking, and bulk grain storage

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    The Benefits of Old-Fashioned Skills

    I feel so fortunate to live in a time where I can enjoy the conveniences of modern life while still embracing the rewards of old-fashioned skills.

    I’m not about to start washing laundry by hand (I do recommend stripping laundry if you haven’t tried it), and I’m definitely using my stand mixer rather than churning butter by hand.

    Incorporating old-fashioned skills into your daily life isn’t just about saving money—it’s deeply rewarding and can truly enrich your life.

    Here are just a few of the many benefits of old-fashioned skills:

    • Frugality: Old-fashioned skills save money by reducing reliance on expensive modern conveniences.
    • Health: They emphasize nutritious food, time in nature, and simple living.
    • Community: Old-fashioned skills foster connection, whether it’s picking up an Azure Standard drop or teaching a friend to bake bread.
    • Sustainability: They encourage consuming less and living more intentionally, which is good for our homes, community, and the environment.
    • Fulfilling: Old-fashioned skills embrace life’s simple pleasures, like slicing into homemade bread or picking a flower from your garden.

    Ok, let’s dive into a few old-fashioned ways to save money:

    A person gardening outdoors, planting in stackable terracotta pots, showing an old-fashioned way to save money

    Grow Your Own Food

    Growing your own food is one of the oldest frugality hacks in the books. After all, it was the only way to ensure food was on the table for much of human history.

    Starting a garden might require some upfront investment, but depending on your space and the style of garden you want, it doesn’t have to break the bank.

    Whether you’re working with a tight budget, a small corner of your yard (or even a windowsill), or a busy schedule, there are plenty of easy ways to grow your own food.

    • Start Small: Begin with what you have and what works for your space and budget. Some of my best harvests came from pots on my patio.
    • Start from Seed: Starting from seed is a budget-friendly way to grow your garden. You can also score them for free if you save them from your own plants.
    • Grow Native Plants: Plants native to your area thrive with less effort and reward you with bigger harvests for less money. For example, knowing when and how to plant garlic in your area can determine your success and harvest.
    • Grow Herbs: Herbs are perfect for small spaces and busy schedules. They’re hardy, grow well in pots, and save you a fortune compared to buying them fresh at the grocery store.
    • Source Locally: Look for local deals for what you can’t grow (or raise). I get canning tomatoes for next to nothing from a nearby farm and farm-fresh eggs for just $5 a dozen.
    • Preserve Food: Fermenting, canning, dehydrating, and freeze drying are great ways to ensure your homegrown or locally sourced food (and effort) never goes to waste.

    A person cooking on a stovetop using a cast iron skillet and a wooden spoon.

    Cook From Scratch

    Cooking from scratch can save you thousands each year. While pre-made foods are convenient, they’re costly to both your wallet and health.

    Our modern lives are packed to the brim, and the thought of scratch cooking can seem overwhelming.

    But with a little planning, a few simple strategies, and the right kitchen tools, it can become an easy, money-saving part of your routine.

    • Stock Your Pantry: Keep basic staples like wheat berries for milling flour, rice, pasta, canned tomatoes, sourdough breadcrumbs, and baking supplies on hand. With these, you can quickly pull a meal together.
    • Stick with Basic Seasonings: Don’t overthink it—almost anything tastes great with just butter, salt, and pepper.
    • Rely on Simple Ingredients: Keep simple ingredients ready to go, like proteins, veggies, fruit, grains, and sourdough.
    • Batch Prep: Simplify cooking by making extras for leftovers or freezer meals. Cook once, enjoy for days!

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      Reduce Waste

      Our grandparents mastered the “waste not, want not” mindset, often out of necessity during the Depression era.

      Plus, back then, goods weren’t as disposable or accessible as they are today, so they made the most of what they had.

      Today, we’re used to the convenience of throwaway items, but this convenience can quickly drain our wallets.

      We can save money and simplify our lives by embracing an old-fashioned “use what you have” approach.

      • Start a Pantry Challenge: Save money and reduce food waste by using what’s already in your pantry, fridge, and freezer before shopping for more. Join my FREE 10-Day Pantry Challenge to learn how!
      • Start a Broth Bag: Freeze leftover veggie scraps and chicken bones in a bag, and when it’s full, make a nourishing bone broth.
      • Ferment Extra Veggies: Got extra cabbage or scored a deal on bulk veggies? Don’t let them wither away in the fridge—ferment them! I’m obsessed with lacto-fermented peppers and onions!
      • Buy Quality Items: Cheap items often break quickly, leading to waste and repeated spending. In the long run, it’s more frugal to save up for high-quality items that will last a lifetime.
      • Cook in Cast Iron: Cast iron is affordable, and with proper care, it’s the only cookware that can last a lifetime (and beyond). Check out my cast iron skillet size guide to find the perfect fit for your kitchen!
      • Reduce Paper Towel Usage: Swapping out paper towels for old-school reusable towels and rags can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

      A person using an espresso machine to make coffee at home

      DIY Your Daily Needs

      Embracing good, old-fashioned DIY is a great way to save money.

      Now, I’m not particularly crafty or handy, so if DIY feels outside your comfort zone, you’re in good company! But surprisingly, many everyday items are simple to make at home, even for beginners.

      Not every project will suit your lifestyle, but a little DIY here and there can cut costs and reduce your reliance on convenience purchases.

      • Make Your Own Coffee: Skip the $9 lattes at Starbucks. You can make a week’s worth of coffee (or more) at home for the same price.
      • Make Homemade Coffee Creamer: Mix milk, cream, brown sugar, and vanilla for a delicious, budget-friendly creamer.
      • Make Your Own Cleaners: Homemade cleaners cost pennies to make. Just combine 2 tbsp of Dr. Bronner’s castile soap and 4 cups of water in a spray bottle for an all-purpose cleaner.
      • Learn Basic Sewing: You don’t need to be a pro, but simple skills like hemming pants or fixing a button can save you from buying replacements.

      Homemade sourdough bread next to a bread proofer, showing an old-fashioned way to save money by baking at home.

      Bake Homemade Bread

      Ok, if you have spent any amount of time reading my blog posts or watching my YouTube videos, you probably saw this one coming a mile away.

      Baking homemade sourdough bread, in my experience, is one of the most rewarding ways to be frugal and honor treasured heirloom skills.

      I get it, though. Finding time to bake can be tricky with our modern, busy schedules. Luckily, I have a few tips that can help:

      • Make Sourdough: Made with just flour, water, and salt, sourdough is cheap and simple. You don’t even have to buy yeast. New to sourdough? Download my free starter eBook to get started (pun intended).
      • Freeze Bread: Bake a few loaves, slice them, and freeze for easy, homemade sourdough anytime. I usually do this with sourdough sandwich bread.
      • Use a Proofing Box: The warm temperature in a proof box speeds up the bulk fermentation. I can’t live without my Brod & Taylor proofing box.


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        Old-Fashioned Frugality Vlog

        Check out my vlog about old-fashioned skills that can save you money.

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        Let’s Connect!

        If you have questions or tips on old-fashioned ways to save money, leave them in the comments!

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