INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: A Lesson From The Great Depression

Posted in: Budget Tips, Instant Survival Tips

I have been a proud, card-carrying member of The Great Conspicuous Consumption Club for quite a few years. A lesson from the Great Depression has helped change my perspective. It’s easy to remember.

Use it up.
Wear it out.
Make it do or
Do without!

This was a fashionable motto just 80 years ago, and now, many of us are beginning to think this way again. Adjusting your mindset to the wisdom in this little rhyme could free up a good portion of money each month to help you with your food storage and other preparedness goals. I’m glad this bit of wisdom from our great-grandparents didn’t go the way of the flour-sack dress!

(6) Readers Comments

ravenwolf31
October 31, 2009 at 7:34 am

This is the first time I have heard that motto, but I still follow it. I too am getting to the way of making do with what I have, and trying not to waste anything. Old holey undies and other worn out clothes are relegated to the rag drawer for cleaning supplies, I re-use almost all glass for storage storage and for drinking cups. Computers I use for as long as I can keep running them. Almost anything that is not food (and even then sometimes with food), I try to have multi-uses for. Three things that I absolutely do not go with out is Vinegar, Tea Tree oil and lavender oil. I use grapefruit to clean my shower tub. Things like that.

Reply
- TheSurvivalMom
  October 31, 2009 at 2:20 pm
  
  It's amazing how quickly you learn to put this motto to use. I'd love to learn more about your uses for vinegar, Tea Tree oil, and lavender oil.
  
  Reply
  - ravenwolf31
    November 1, 2009 at 12:31 am
    
    Vinegar: combined with water, it makes a great basic cleaning solution for counter tops, windows (especially if you re-use old newspaper, your windows would shine) and almost anything, I have even seen recipes for hair care using it. Use it with baking soda, it makes a great deodorizer for almost anything stinky, and both added into your drain, makes a good poor mans Drain-o. My boyfriend uses both baking soda and vinegar in his wash to get out the work smells in his clothes. It can be used for a good all around cleaner. And what is better is that it is non-toxic so it is great if you have kids or pets.
    
    Tea Tree oil: Excellent for some cleaning, and for basic topical wound care. It is anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, works on anything from zits to cuts. I also add about 5 drops of it to a bucket of water for washing floors. For me it is almost a MUST for basic first aid. It is a little expensive at about $8 a bottle, but it hardly goes bad, and a little goes a long way. I have had a 2 oz bottle of it last me a year so far and have used only 1/4th of it.
    
    Lavendar: Again, I use for cleaning floors and in my bath after a long hard day. Good for cleaning and smells nice. Again 2 oz bottle has lasted me forever.
    
    Reply
    - TheSurvivalMom
      November 3, 2009 at 1:45 am
      
      Raven, I love tips like these! I've never used Tea Tree oil nor lavender oil but will look for them on my next visit to Sprout's.
      
      Reply
  - ravenwolf31
    November 1, 2009 at 12:37 am
    
    Ooppss… hit submit before I was done. The last thing that I wanted to mention is that I got some of this info from my man, and some for a TV show called How Clean is Your House? The first 10-15 minutes of the show is really disgusting, but the rest of the show is great. Excellent show for cleaning tips. But I might suggest if you go looking for it, look for the episodes that were done in the UK, as they do not use so many commercial products and not as campy as the American version. This was the show that taught me that the insides of bananna peels can be used for shoe polish!
    
    Reply
    - TheSurvivalMom
      November 1, 2009 at 6:04 am
      
      I have seen that show, and you're right about the first few minutes! I'll have to watch it again with an eye for their cleaning tips. Thanks!
      
      Reply