Want to save money and pay off debt? Try living like your grandparents.

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[Personal finance columnist Deb Hipp]

Hi, this is Deb Hipp, and I write about all kinds of ways to stretch a dollar. Check out my column, 7 Things I Learned From Grandma About Frugal Living.

My grandmother grew up poor. So she gave me a wealth of good advice – much of it about money. Here are a few tips:

  1. Eat beans. They’re cheap, tasty, and a healthy source of protein.
  2. Read a newspaper. Actually read the ads, specifically, the grocery offers – I save $20 a week that way.
  3. Clear out the clearance rack. Sure, most of it is junk but score a deal on anything that’s not.

I learned many more lessons from grandma. Read about them at Debt.com

I was one of those lucky kids whose grandparents were always present in my life. My brothers and IĀ visitedĀ them at least once a week, and weĀ oftenĀ spent the night.Ā Little did I know at the time,Ā my childhood brain wasĀ soaking upĀ subtle messages about money thatĀ I’d benefit from later in life.

There were many mornings at Grandma’s house when I awoke to birds singing from the trees near the open bedroom window. It was a peaceful awakening, unlike the jarring buzzers and alarms that jolt me from sleep as an adult.

One such morning, I padded barefoot down the hallway into the kitchen, where myĀ grandmaĀ was preparing bowls of oatmeal for me and my two brothers. OurĀ mealĀ came from a big cardboard canister, notĀ expensiveĀ single-portion packets.Ā I thought nothing of the price of oatmeal that day, havingĀ no idea that theĀ grain she mixed with butter,Ā milk and sugar for my breakfast cost next to nothing.

It’s probably the feeling of safety, security, and love I felt that morning that keeps the memory so vividĀ decades later. However, the oatmeal lesson wasn’t completely lost on me, either. When money’s tight, oatmeal isĀ stillĀ oneĀ of my go-toĀ foodsĀ for breakfast.

Maybe you learnedĀ someĀ frugal living tipsĀ from your own grandparents. But evenĀ if your grandma was a hard-drinking gambler who declared bankruptcy,Ā you can still benefit from myĀ grandmother’sĀ wisdom.

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1. Beans go a long, long way

My grandma, who grew up poor in the South andĀ had to useĀ food ration couponsĀ during World War II, knew how to make foodĀ stretch. SheĀ always had a big pot of bean soup and cornbread on hand, whichĀ canĀ get you through a lean week without sacrificing protein.Ā With every batch, dish out portions to freezeĀ for later.

2. ScanĀ theĀ weekly groceryĀ ads

Grandma was always on the lookout for a good sale.Ā That’s whyĀ she perused theĀ daily newspaper’s food sectionĀ on a regular basis.Ā I do the same thing now,Ā saving at least $20 a weekĀ on my grocery bill withĀ meat and produce salesĀ andĀ coupons.

3. Earn cash with a side hustle

My grandma had aĀ side hustle before side hustles were cool. My grandfather worked, but Grandma tacked babysitting fliers up on grocery store and laundromat bulletin boards for some cash of her own. Over the years, she saved babysitting money for holiday presents, pricey appliances, vacations and anything else she needed.

4. Check out the clearance rack

Grandma worked hard for that babysitting money, and she knew it would go a lot further if she waited until clothing or other items went on sale. Now that trait is ingrained in both me and my mom, who bought me one of my favorite shirts for $1Ā off the clearanceĀ tableĀ at a department store.

5. Find out what’s in that junky-looking store

Grandma loved toĀ shopĀ atĀ a little storeĀ that soldĀ unclaimed freight, aĀ bunch of stuff thatĀ got rejectedĀ or lostĀ and spilledĀ intoĀ the aisles ofĀ aĀ mom-and-popĀ placeĀ on the sketchy side of town.Ā YouĀ can findĀ householdĀ itemsĀ like toiletries, appliances, toysĀ and even foodĀ forĀ slashedĀ pricesĀ at little out-of-the-way places.

6. Grow your own veggies

Maybe it’s the SouthernĀ roots,Ā butĀ both sets ofĀ grandparentsĀ had gardensĀ where they grew green beans, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, strawberries, you name it. ThenĀ GrandmaĀ would can and freezeĀ muchĀ of it forĀ future use. Do I do all that? No. But IĀ doĀ have two cherry tomato plantsĀ that I bought on sale at Lowe’s this spring,Ā thrivingĀ on my patioĀ this summerĀ to help save money on salads.

7. Weekly meal prepĀ is smart

My grandparents’ refrigeratorĀ wasĀ consistentlyĀ crammedĀ with food.Ā I could always grab a piece of chicken,Ā a bit of salad or coleslaw, a boiled egg or even just a slice of lunch meat.Ā Taking time toĀ prepare a week’s worth ofĀ food to have on hand keeps you fromĀ spendingĀ money on fast food and take-out meals when you don’t have time to cook.Ā Meal prep also reducesĀ food waste.

CallĀ herĀ what you will,Ā Grandma, Nana,Ā GrammyĀ orĀ Mamaw,Ā the elder that spoiled youĀ knowsĀ a thing or two aboutĀ stretching a dollar.Ā So, get your vintage on and shop like Grandma.Ā Just don’t hold up theĀ cashier’sĀ lineĀ byĀ writingĀ a check.

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About the Author

Deb Hipp

Deb Hipp

Deb Hipp is a full-time freelance writer based in Kansas City, Mo. Deb went from being unable to get approved for a credit card or loan 20 years ago to having excellent credit today and becoming a homeowner. Deb learned her lessons about money the hard way. Now she wants to share them to help you pay down debt, fix your credit and quit being broke all the time. Deb's personal finance and credit articles have been published at Credit Karma and The Huffington Post.

Published by Debt.com, LLC