Staying Green in a Bad Economy

With the current economic downturn, we only need to look to our Depression-Era grandparents for tips on saving money and being green. It's ironic to note that this generation championed the green movement, without even knowing it. Their tips on saving money, and reusing still ring-true in today's economy.

Tips from Grandma below:

Hanging clothes on the line on a regular basis.

Reuse every container that came into the house! Grandpa had glass jars with nails, bolts, etc in his shop area that hung from the lids, he'd pound a nail through the lid and than screw in the jar.

Make your own clothing and blankets. When something had worn out, Grandma made quilts out them.

Cook in big batches. Freeze, store and share.

Grandma does lots of canning; makes her own jerkey, raisins, dried apricots, bananas, fruit leathers.

Grandma uses the "borrowing and loaning" system with neighbors and friends instead of always going out and buying everything she might like.

Have a big garden in the yard. Grow your own veggies.

Taking catalogs, and making paper doll families out of the models.

Cut fat rubberbands in half to make narrow bands - get more rubberbands!

Grandma reuses her tin foil and wraps.

Save bacon fat (to make dog biscuits)

Bring back the saying: Use it Up, Wear it Out, Make it Do, or Do Without!

Grandma uses cloth napkins.