Learn From the Past as Times Get Tough

As the economy around the world and other challenges continue to become crazier, we can check out what people did in the past in a similar economy. I am taking examples from the 1940’s during World War 2. At this time, people had to come up with creative solutions to deal with the lack of goods. Check out life hacks below that can apply in today’s world.

5 Ideas that can help you save money

1. Coffee was in short supply in the 1940s. However, it became common to bulk it out with chicory which has a similar woody taste. Chicory is part of the daisy family, and many people used it to bulk out diminishing coffee grounds to improve the richness of a cup of coffee and prevent it from tasting too watery. Today, it has been discovered that adding Chicory to your coffee has health benefits. Chicory contains some trace minerals and inulin, which is a fiber that helps with blood sugar management and gut health.
2. Also, in 1940 the US government made a huge push for everybody to plant “victory gardens” or “war gardens,” which would enable every home to have access to fresh fruit and vegetables. For those households that didn’t have a personal garden, victory gardens were created in public parks where everyone could access them. Today, you can join or start a community garden. There are also great resources for producing food in small backyards.
3. Chemicals and fuel were being saved for the soldiers rather than the home. As such, housewives would use vinegar, baking soda, toothpaste, and nail polish to clean the house. When you Google any of these items, there are a ton of cleaning hacks that can be used with these products today.
4. Preserving was seen as a patriotic act to help the war effort in the 1940s because canned food was desperately needed for the troops. Housewives would regularly preserve any leftover fruit and vegetables they might have. Canning today is a great way to keep your garden produce fresh. Also, canning jars can be used for multiple things from a vase, cup to candle holders.
5. Mend or upcycle old clothes-In the 1940s, if a garment had holes in it, either those holes were mended or the whole thing was cut up and made into something else. Today, you can go online and buy upcycle clothes. One of my favorite sites is thredUP. Pro tip (I actually buy a lot of my clothes from here) make sure to check the condition of the clothing before purchasing. It will describe the issue with the piece. Typically, I only by the new or excellent condition.

Photo by Gary Barnes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/female-gardeners-working-in-floral-garden-with-potted-plants-6231743/ and Photo by Teona Swift: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-preparing-soil-for-planting-houseplant-6913412/