Frugal Tips I Learned from My Grandma

My wonderful Grandma passed away this past week. She was a passionate and fun woman and I adored her. She taught me a great many things about frugal living, many of which are a part of my daily life. Here are some of my favorite tips.

Shop at thrift stores. Grandma used to drive me all over hitting the coolest thrift stores. I still visit tiny hole-in-the-wall thrifts that she took me to 20 years ago.

Forage for free food. She used to take me out to pick wild berries or cherries from trees on her friend's property (with their permission, of course) that would otherwise have gone to waste.

Visit farms for the best produce. My grandma would take me to pick your own farms and orchards. We would pick 5-gallon bucket after 5-gallon bucket for much less than purchasing at the grocery store. This would be the best way to have enough produce to...

Preserve food when you have a surplus. The basement of her home was lined with lots of canned fruits and veggies. She always got the food for free or at a bargain and could stockpile summer's bounty for winter, when produce would be more expensive.

DIY can be a fun and cheap way to decorate your home. My grandma's house was filled with crafts she made with friends. She was re-purposing items that would otherwise have been thrown away long before it became cool.

Remember that time is a better gift than money. When I would spend the night at her house, Grandma used to stay up til 3:30 or so watching movies and giggling with me. While she also gave me many gifts over the years, those late nights eating sherbet and spending time together were the best gifts.