Frugal Friends Podcast: Frugal Living Tips From The Great Depression
Hosts: Jen Smith & Jill Sirianni | Backyard Ventures
Episode: Frugal Living Tips From The Great Depression
Release Date: July 25, 2025
Description:
In this enlightening episode of the Frugal Friends Podcast, hosts Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni revisit timeless frugality principles inspired by the Great Depression. As economic challenges persist in 2025, they explore how historical strategies can be adapted to modern life, offering listeners practical advice on saving money, reducing waste, and living more intentionally.
Introduction: Understanding the Timeless Appeal
Jen and Jill kick off the episode by addressing the enduring interest in "Frugal Living Tips from The Great Depression", noting its consistent popularity since they began the show in 2018.
- Jill: "For some reason, a lot of people are searching for this... we're gonna replay this episode from two years ago because the same still true, still very searched and still same tips." [02:18]
Jen adds a personal touch by recalling her grandmother's frugal habits shaped during the Great Depression.
- Jen: "My gimba was born during the Great Depression and carries with her many of the things that were a reality of that timeframe." [07:17]
Key Frugal Living Lessons
1. Do It Yourself (DIY)
Jen emphasizes the importance of DIY as a cornerstone of frugality.
- "DIYing things is a sound financial strategy... If we want to take any of the wisdom or implement some of these strategies, this could be a really great place to start." [07:56]
Jill shares her initial reluctance towards DIY but acknowledges its benefits for maintenance and repairs.
- "I personally hate, like, DIYing a lot of things... but when it comes to repairs and maintenance, yes, we will DIY before we call a professional." [09:49]
2. Frugality with Purpose
The hosts discuss adopting a frugal mindset for meaningful savings rather than mere cost-cutting.
- Jen: "Being frugal for the sake of being frugal or for the sake of hoarding money is a horrible financial strategy... Frugality is about affording more of what money can't buy." [10:00]
3. Budgeting and Spending Plans
Jen highlights the critical role of budgeting in managing finances effectively.
- "The value of a spending plan, knowing how much money is coming in, how much is going out, where it's going to... The goal is to spend less than we earn." [14:11]
She shares a personal story about her great-grandfather's ledger to illustrate meticulous financial tracking.
- "He had a ledger that he would keep daily record of transactions... It can really help us get acquainted with our spending, our habits, our behaviors." [14:11]
4. Saving for a Rainy Day
Jill underscores the necessity of building an emergency fund.
- "Save for a rainy day... take advantage of the good times and save for the lean ones. There will always be some time... you may not be able to work later." [16:43]
5. Diversification and Multiple Income Streams
The hosts explore the importance of not relying on a single income source.
- Jen: "The value of diversification and multiple income streams... not having all of your eggs in one basket." [19:23]
Jill cautions against the hustle culture, advocating for meaningful and enjoyable additional income streams.
- "It's not frugality for the sake of frugality... consider an additional stream of revenue if your regular work isn't enough." [21:23]
6. Avoiding Food Waste and Eating at Home
Jill and Jen discuss strategies to minimize food waste and the benefits of home-cooked meals.
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Jill: "Use what you have, just eating what you have... freezing it, repurposing it, but just avoiding as much food waste as possible." [28:42]
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Jen: "We provide meal plans in our membership... calculate your cost per meal of eating at home versus eating out." [24:13]
7. Using Less Electricity
Reducing energy consumption is another pivotal frugality lesson.
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Jill: "Using less electricity doesn't mean going off the grid... turning lights off during the day, using natural air conditioning." [30:41]
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Jen: "Think about the heavy hitters like washing machines, dryers, ovens, HVAC systems... can you air dry your clothes, make cold dinners." [32:11]
8. Making Your Own Products
Creating household items can lead to substantial savings.
- Jen: "Making your own cleaning products, beauty products... It saves money and can be healthier and more sustainable." [34:26]
Jill adds the communal benefits of DIY activities.
- "Making your own could be an activity with your kids or friends... spending time with others while saving money." [36:21]
9. Focusing on One Main Task
Prioritizing tasks enhances productivity and financial management.
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Jill: "If you've ever read Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House, she had a specific task for each day... It provides a framework for getting bigger tasks done." [37:30]
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Jen: "Focus on things that matter... name the things that matter, be intentional with them." [40:08]
Listener Stories and Practical Applications
The episode features listener Kim's success story, illustrating applied frugality principles.
- Kim: "My bill of the week is the 6% raise that I got at work. I will be using this extra money towards putting my dog in obedience classes." [41:20]
Jen praises Kim's intentional budgeting and values-based spending.
- "Your very intentional, values-based approach... helps save money in the long run while enhancing your life." [42:53]
Conclusion: Embracing Historical Wisdom for Modern Savings
Jen and Jill wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to integrate these historical frugality tips into their daily lives. They emphasize that frugality, when aligned with personal values, leads to a richer and more fulfilling life.
- Jen: "If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review... helping you learn how to buy what you love without going broke." [55:30]
Notable Quotes
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Jen: "Being frugal for the sake of being frugal or for the sake of hoarding money is a horrible financial strategy." [10:00]
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Jill: "The objective of frugality is to afford more of what money can't buy." [12:48]
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Jen: "Having a spending plan helps make intentional decisions." [14:11]
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Jill: "Avoiding food waste is sustainable and hits every button for me." [28:42]
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Jen: "Focus on things that matter... name the things that matter, be intentional with them." [40:08]
Key Takeaways
- Embrace DIY: Learning to repair and create things can lead to significant savings and personal satisfaction.
- Budget Intentionally: Understanding income and expenses is crucial for financial health.
- Build an Emergency Fund: Prepare for unexpected financial challenges by saving consistently.
- Diversify Income: Multiple sources of income provide financial security and flexibility.
- Minimize Food Waste: Efficient use of food resources saves money and reduces environmental impact.
- Reduce Energy Consumption: Focus on major energy consumers to lower utility bills effectively.
- Create Your Own Products: Homemade items can be both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
- Prioritize Tasks: Focusing on one main task at a time enhances productivity and financial management.
By integrating these lessons from the Great Depression, listeners can navigate modern economic challenges with resilience and intentionality.