Rediscover 12 Timeless Tricks from the Boomer Generation

My grandparents were alive during World War II, my parents were only young when it started, and I was just a twinkle in their eyes. Life was very different then than it is now. Food was scarce, as was money, and every penny counted. But somehow, they made it work.

In our throwaway society, we’ve forgotten how to live frugally and make the most of what we have. Some of the things my grandparents shared with me are things I still try to do today to help my pocket and the environment.

As a grandparent now, I look forward to passing on some of their advice to my grandchildren. These 12 old-fashioned tips come from a generation who knew how to survive on very little but still have a rich and fulfilling life.

Grow Your Own Vegetables

During the war in England, every spare piece of land available was turned into an allotment for growing fruit and vegetables. With everything rationed, it was a great way to feed your family without using a ration book.

Today, growing your own vegetables is about more than putting food on the table. It’s a chance to have fresh produce and the satisfaction of growing your food from scratch. There is something very therapeutic about spending time in your garden.

Since I moved to France, I have had my own “potager” or vegetable garden, and I love it. I get so excited seeing my cherry tomatoes turn from green to red, and they taste fantastic. Getting close to nature does wonders for your mind.

Compost Kitchen Scraps

Growing up, my parents had a compost at the bottom of the garden. Mom used to collect banana skins and potato peels in a Tupperware dish and empty them into the compost every couple of days.

It eventually turned into composted soil, which she used to help fertilize her flowers, herbs, and vegetables. It was much cheaper than buying the soil from the garden center and was a great way to eliminate waste.

Last year, I took the plunge, got a compost, and did exactly as my mom did when I was a kid. When I planted my tomatoes and strawberries this year, I could use the composted soil, and they have flourished.

Write Letters

Every birthday and Christmas, my brother and I wrote handwritten thank-you letters for our gifts. Although they weren’t very long, the people who received them enjoyed reading them.

Today, it’s all too easy to send a text message that is forgotten and lost in the ether as soon as it's read. There is something personal about receiving a letter in the post, opening it, and then reading it. It shows people you care and have taken time to think of them.

Line Dry Clothes

I love my tumble dryer, especially for drying towels, as it makes them lovely and fluffy. However, there is something about the smell of laundry drying outside in the fresh air. On a windy day, they dry in no time at all.

My grandparents had an outside toilet, so they certainly didn’t have access to a tumble dryer. Their only option was to dry things outdoors. I remember my grandma saying, “This wind is perfect for drying washing.” I use a washing line regularly in the summer months to save electricity.

Preserve Food at Home

Growing up, I spent a lot of time at my Grandma’s house, where she bottled and pickled everything. From jams to soups, there was no wasted food. I loved helping her spoon jam into jars, and once they were sealed, they’d last for a couple of years.

She canned, pickled, and dried fruits and vegetables to extend their shelf life. Everything in her pantry had more than one use, and she never threw anything away that could be preserved.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

Living through the war years and all the shortages that came with them, my grandparents found creative uses for everything. Instead of chemical products, they used household items such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon for cleaning.

My grandma’s oven was always spotless. Once a week, she mixed baking soda with water, spread it over the interior surfaces, and let it sit overnight. The baking soda breaks down grime and grease, making it easy to wipe away with a damp cloth the next day. A quick wipe-over with vinegar, and it sparkled.

Homemade Remedies

Lozenges and pastels for sore throats weren’t a thing years ago. Instead, simple homemade remedies worked just as well as anything you can buy over the counter today. If I had a sore throat as a child, I was given a spoonful of honey with freshly squeezed lemon juice in hot water.

The best way to get rid of a head cold was to put a few drops of eucalyptus oil into a bowl of hot, steaming water. Then, lean over the bowl with a towel draped over the head to trap the steam, inhaling deeply for several minutes.

The steam helped open up nasal passages, while the eucalyptus or menthol provided a soothing, decongesting effect, making breathing easier.

Cook From Scratch

My grandma made everything from scratch, and there was no shop-bought sauce in her kitchen cupboards. When shopping, it’s tempting to pick up a jar of premade sauce for your spaghetti bolognese. It’s quick and easy, and it makes dinner a breeze. But it’s not as good for you as making it from scratch.

Jarred pastes and sauces aren’t readily available in France, where I live, especially for curries. I’ve got used to making my own. They taste much better, and I know what’s in them. Instead of making one portion, I make four or five and freeze them.

Mend and Darn Socks

I hate darning socks or mending clothes, but years ago, they didn’t have the extensive wardrobes we have now. My mom had two school dresses and one for Sunday best; that was it. If her socks had holes, my grandma would darn them.

While some things can’t be mended, we throw far too many things away that could be saved with a simple stitch. Imagine how much money you’d save if you pulled out your needle and thread instead of throwing your clothes away every time they got a hole.

Handwash Delicates

Over the years, we have become lazy, sending items to the dry cleaner rather than handwashing them. I’m as guilty as anyone. Who has time to handwash clothes?

Well, it’s something we should try to make time for as it’s more cost-effective. You’re less likely to find your favorite outfit ruined by a machine. Not to mention it’s more environmentally friendly.

Barter and Trade

Bartering was vital to survival during the Great Depression and World War II. With cash scarce and goods rationed, families traded food, clothing, and even skills. For example, a farmer might exchange fresh eggs with a seamstress for clothing repairs.

It promotes sustainability by reducing waste and encouraging the reuse of goods. People can exchange skills, like tutoring or home repairs, for items or services they need.

Batch Cook Meals

I’m a big fan of batch cooking. It’s a more efficient use of time. When you’re busy at work, rather than eating a takeaway, pull a meal out of the freezer. It’s healthier and saves you money.

So often, when we cook, we have leftovers in the fridge that end up in the bin because we’ve forgotten about them. Purposely batch cooking avoids this issue.