Hello all. It is about to be a nasty weather day here. I know many have already had nasty stuff going on. It is very windy here, with a tornado watch until noon. Storms have flown through as I type this. Major wind gusts and lots of rain. Skies are black! It was72* when I got up at 6AM. Now it is 63*. Tomorrow morning will likely be 40* less than this morning!!!!!
I truly hope those in the affected areas are safe and stay safe.
Yesterday I watched a Vlog talking about things people used to do, that they no longer do. I had to chuckle, as I still do them. I live very much below my means (my choice). I don't really care about stuff. I do not have a fondness for travel, so I stay home a lot. This is me - what you see and what I write is authentic.
- We grew a good part of our food and put it away for the winter months. Dad also liked to fish, he wasn't a big hunter. They did have chickens, rabbits and goats when the others were younger
- My parents had a budget, and they knew where every penny was to go. Dad was the main bread winner - mom only had a part time job now and then. She did sewing at home for others very often. So, one income for the most part.
- Entertainment was pretty much free stuff. No one shopped when they were 'bored'. We play games, played outdoors, had homemade birthday dinners and cakes, picnics, etc.
- WHEN my parents bought something new - it was quality. They knew it would last and not need to be replaced any time soon. Today, everything seems to be throw away - you really need to do research to get quality.
- NO credit cards. They didn't exist much back then. My parents paid cash for everything. No payday loan companies, no CC's, no shopping on a whim. If you wanted something and didn't have enough funds - you used lay-away! We always had a Christmas Club account for holiday spending. Mom would get a part time job sometimes, to have a little extra money for Christmas or to pay on something they were saving for. She worked at Ayres (dept. store) downtown or worked at the bakery a couple blocks away - she would work the 4PM - midnight shift at the bakery and walk home!
- Along those same lines - they had no debt and didn't want any! They did pay for the house on a contract ($4,800!). If they needed a new appliance or bought a new car - they saved and paid cash. When my parents went into business for themselves in the late 60's - they were given a line of credit, which they never used. They paid for everything (with their little savings) to get started. Times were lean, but they had a big goal. I remember daddy trying to get a CC in the 70's, because they were taking a trip to Florida (a first) and wanted a little security. He had a hard time getting it, because he always paid cash and really had no credit.
- Community was huge. Neighbors looked out for each other - people babysat, watched out for other's kiddos, helped if someone needed something mechanical done, brought dinner when someone was really ill.........
- Fixed everything. Shoes were repaired, clothes mended, fixed the car or the mower if it went out
- We had one car! Mom never did learn to drive. We would make trips downtown on the bus. Otherwise, daddy took us when he wasn't working
- Mom cooked at home. She pretty much made 3 meals a day every day. Lunch was light, something simple. We didn't go out to eat. I remember the first-time having pizza (not homemade), was with a friend's family at a small restaurant. It was exciting but I still remember thinking moms was better! Maybe a couple times a summer we went to A&W for a frosty mug of root beer or stopped for an ice cream or malt at Linders - but those were treats. I was in high school before I ever had anything from fast food. I also remember we didn't buy pop; we had water, milk, tea or Kool-Aid. One time a summer daddy would get a case of Nehi bottled drinks - they had to last all summer, and they were a very special treat!
- They saved back 'something' FIRST. ALWAYS. It may not have been a lot, but they saved.
- They spent less than they earned - just how it was.
- Took care of things themselves. Yard work, mowing, gardens, shopping, cooking, cleaning - we never thought about hiring someone for those things
- Used the library. You didn't have the opportunity to look things up on a computer for a school project - you went to the library and researched it
- We went to the grocery once a week - mom had a very strict budget she set for herself. No stopping at a store whenever there was a 'desire' for something
These are just some of the main things I remember, and many/most I still do. I absolutely hate debt. With buying our small home and buying our first and only new vehicle - we paid them off as quickly as possible. We both came into the marriage with some debt (stupid stuff) and paid it off and vowed to keep debt minimal from then on. We concentrated on saving for a time in life that we kind of knew was inevitable (Glen being unable to work). We neither one made a lot of money, we just managed what we had well. That is still serving me well.
We had fun, just not expensive fun. We had friends we did things with, we camped, had get togethers, wondered Indiana, just spent quality time together. That was all that was truly important.
Do you still do any of the lifestyle that your parents did or that your grandparents did?
Do you have other memories, that bring a smile to your face?
Let us take a trip down memory lane!
Have a blessed day!
I think in a lot of ways my life is quite similar to how my parents and grandparents lived. I've been laughed at for that - "Just buy a new one!" "You wash your own car! Are you tight, or something?" - but we have never had any debt, apart from a mortgage. We have a joint credit card, but have always paid off the balance every month. Why do we have it, then? Well, for big purchases it gives an extra guarantee, plus you never know when there might be an emergency that requires immediate payment.
ReplyDeleteMy funny story regards a telephone call I got a few years ago from one of those ambulance chasing compensation legal firms. The guy at the other end asked if I had ever had a car loan. I answered no. He then asked if anyone in the household had ever had a car loan. No again. He then asked if I had ever taken out a bank loan to buy consumer goods. At this point I said "Let me save you some time. Nobody in this household has ever taken out a loan of any sort, apart from our mortgage, which is paid off," the response to which was "Wow!". He politely thanked me for my time and rang off. I think from his tone of voice that I had given him food for thought.
Good for you! No one here is laughing at you or making fun. Goodness, I have heard those things too. I chuckle and say no I am just smart.
DeleteI agree on CC purchases, sometimes you just can't get to the bank to get the funds or it gives you a few extra days - many times a bit more warranty. Paying off every month is very smart.
Love the conversation! I bet you gave that person something to talk about and think about.
bonjour à tous deFrance,
ReplyDeleteje suis née en 1953 et mon enfance a été la meme que la votre ,c'est surprenant vue de France votre vie devait ressembler à celle présenter par holliwood . notre vie maintenant n'est toujours pas très différente . Prenez soin de vous
We were a long way from Hollywood living or even the portrayals of life. It was a good life to me, but looking back, I realize that we really were kind of poor. It didn't do me any harm. As a matter of fact, it gave me good lessons for adulthood. My life is much as my parents life was, just more technology. Good to have you stop by!!!!
DeleteBeing wise and frugal was just a way of life. My parents came up from Kentucky with three young sons around 1939 to find better employment and a better life. My dad worked hard, saved money until they were able to buy a semi-dilapidated house. I was born in 1947 (surprise!). I made friends with a girl my age from church and she was an only child who had everything her little heart desired. She had a Terry Lee doll, which I coveted, not knowing that was a no-no. Her clothes came from the children's shop in Lebanon, expensive stuff. This was a far cry from the way folks live today. I don't know how many homeless live in our area but I think probably the number is pretty high.
ReplyDeleteI just noticed one of the hyacinths has bloomed and my old-fashioned lilac is budding out. I'm sure it will get bit with the cold temps coming. The chives are up. The daffodils in from the of house have all bloomed out and are so pretty.
Stay safe, in case this day turns out to be stormy later on. Good thing you have a basement.
Oh you were a surprise too!
DeleteThey worked so hard back then to manage, yet they did it and we had a roof and food and clothing. Right there, is a lesson for many today.
I guess our home was pretty bad when they moved in, mom said she was embarrassed by it as it was the bad one on the street. It turned out to be the pretty one years later.
I think we all knew those kids who had it all - but it wasn't going to happen at my house.
I picked some daffodils a bit ago. Things are showing life! Love it. Seems it always gets really cold after things start to bud out. Grrrrr.
You stay safe as well.
I have similar memories. I still do a lot of home stuff myself. It's second nature. I have no desire to do it any other way.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't get a color tv until 1974 or 1975. I was so fascinated by it!
I remember being 10 and mom had all day event on a Saturday. Dad took us to Burger King for lunch! It was so momentous that I still remember it! I couldn't believe we were going. The next time I remember going for fast food was McDonald's about 2 or 3 years later after we'd just moved to a new town. Mom decided I was old enough not to have to split my hamburger with my brother.
We went out so infrequently that I could probably name off almost every place we went to. And once at a restaurant we never ordered appetizers, drinks or dessert! Most of the time I still don't unless someone wants to split an appetizer or dessert. Appetizers now cost what a decent meal used to cost! I could make 3 full-sized desserts for what one dessert out costs. I don't enjoy throwing money away!
I get a lot of satisfaction from doing stuff myself and trying to do it cost effectively.
Your last statement says it all for me.
DeleteI bet that was exciting to you! It must have been to still remember it! I find it interesting which things we remember. They had to mean something.
I still order water if I go out, and like you never an appetizer or dessert.
I just love the satisfaction and contentment it all brings.
The funny thing is I didn't feel deprived as a kid. For us it was exciting to get a rare treat out to a restaurant. It was fun and exciting. We knew it was special.
DeleteThis is much like my childhood. Mom did not work all the time, and we did have seasons where she was home, very little eating out. Maybe a soft cone once in a while, or a gallon of root beer. Oh, how we loved that on a hot evening.
ReplyDeleteAnd those are great memories, because they were special. I think if it was an everyday occurrence, we probably wouldn't care to remember.
DeleteSuch fun times.
My lifestyle is quite different from my parents.
ReplyDeleteDad was a farmer and Mom stayed home much of my childhood. She did, however, drive a fertilizer truck when I was a teenager. She grew a large garden every year, canned vegetables and fruit, made jams, jellies, pickles and relishes. One of my favorite memories was going to the basement (through a trapdoor in the porch floor) to grab a jar of something. The array was always so pretty! We kept potatoes in gunny sacks; in the cellar they were kept cool enough to last through the winter with the last of them being used as seed potatoes in the spring.
Mom learned to sew when I was young, I remember she drove to a community a half hour away to take lessons for awhile. She made most of our clothing when I was a young child and it wasn't until I started babysitting that I purchased my first pair of blue jeans.
She also took university classes, but unfortunately was never able to complete her degree. Mom was my inspiration, when I returned to school after 15 years in the workplace. While she never voiced it out loud, I know she was proud when I was granted my degree.
Dad wasn't much of a fix-it guy - his favorite saying was "a blind man riding by won't notice the difference". He never made a lot of money, and I know things weren't easy but they always managed. I do not ever recall going hungry, though I do know mom sometimes did to ensure we had enough to eat.
Dad used older equipment to farm his three quarters of land. I remember when he purchased his last new-to-him combine. If I recall it cost about $5,000 in the mid 70's. Today, farmers pay nearly a $1M for a brand new combine with all the bells and whistles. He cobbled things together but it wasn't unusual for someone to need to make a trip to town for a part when harvesting had to be halted due to a breakdown.
Fun for us, especially when I was little was playing in our "playhouse". It was an old cabin built and lived in by a fellow who had passed away. After he lived in it, it became and chicken coop and then our playhouse. Several years ago, the current owner donated it to the museum in town where it has been transformed into a trapper's cabin.
We did go to camp in the summer too, where mom was often the cook. She also cooked fantastic Sunday dinners where company was always welcome. Cousins, aunts and uncles, family friends, there was always someone extra at the table.
In the winter, mom and dad curled, and we kids spent lots of time at the rink playing hockey or just skating. My younger brother started playing recreational hockey, and dad became an assistant coach for many years. Those games were played in our local community or at towns nearby so there was lots of travel. I took part in Brownies and Guides as well, which meant a trip to town once a week.
While I look back fondly on my childhood, I recognize that my life has been made easier in so many ways. We had no running water until I was a teenager - instead we ran and got it. The telephone arrived when I was 6, the electricity soon after I was born. I appreciate the lessons they taught me; both were always generous with their time and money. They both volunteered in the community and donated to several charities and mom's church. They took time to have fun too, with family and friends. It wasn't unusual for them to hold or attend a house party where they danced, or played cards.
Thanks for post, as you can tell it brought back a lot of great memories for me.
Sounds like your parents worked very hard to make a home. You describing the home canned goods, made me smile. The pretty array of jars sure was something. Mom made my clothes and taught me to sew. Once I was a teen, I made my own. Sounds like you all enjoyed sports - must be why you have such a oy in it today.
DeleteNo things weren't easy at all. But like you said, lessons well learned and remembered. We wouldn't be who we are had we not had those lessons.
It sounds like a wonderful life to me. I hope you pass those memories on to your children - someday they may be very curious. Thank you for sharing.
I have had a busy morning between the dentist and house stuff (at the old house).
ReplyDeleteMy parents’ lives were different from yours, Cheryl, but being frugal and avoiding debt was similar. My dad worked but never made a lot. We lived with my grandfather until he died when I was 10. My mom worked in my grandfather’s grocery store but was not paid. I guess living with my grandfather was the payment. My grandfather grew up dirt poor and only went to 4th grade but he was smart and invested in stocks all his life. My mom did the same (on a modest scale) and I have done so, also.
When my grandfather died, we moved to Florida. My grandmother lived here - separated from my grandfather for many, many years. My parents paid cash ($16k) when they built the house where I now live. Money was from dad’s income and mom’s inheritance from my grandfather.
My mom was ahead of her time as an independent person. She handled the finances, paid the bills and did the taxes. Both were super savers and they passed that on to me. Mom cooked but she was not an old-fashioned housewife and I’m not either. She knew how to shop for groceries, bought “middle quality” on appliances, furniture etc. Mom shopped garage sales, yard sales, flea markets and rummage sales. I love rummage sales. I never remember them having a penny of debt.
After saving all their lives, my dad had 2 strokes and was in a nursing home for 3 1/2 years. Mom paid it all from savings (used about 1/3 of their savings) and she never complained. No Medicaid because they had savings.
With today’s inflation, I think of my mom in the 1970s and 80s. I never heard her complain about food prices. We rarely had red meat and never had desserts with meals. They “liked” inflation because of the high CD rates! (Mom and I found one in a drawer and the interest rate was 14%!)
Being single, I worked full-time from my early 20s. I saved, first with savings bonds and the credit union and later with stocks and a 401k. I bought a townhouse (the one I’m selling) and paid it off in 9 years. I did finance cars (usually 3 years) until the last one where I paid cash. I’ve done well but I still track every expense and I enjoy doing so. Instead of cooking, gardening, whatever, my skill is budgeting.
Can you tell that I admire my mom so much even though we had arguments because she always had “a better way.” Barbara M.
I never knew my grandparents much. Grandma was only an occasional see and the others were all dead when I was little. I do envy people who got to spend time with grandparents.
DeleteIt just goes to show you don't need a big fancy education to end up in a good spot in this world. Dad went to 8th grade and worked for trucking companies for years - then started his own business. He could do math like a computer!
Funny on 'inflation' and the CD's. Yep, they sure had some good rates!
It sounds like you earned a lot of good lessons from your parents and grands. They have served you well. You have done well in this life. Your folks would be proud.
Hey, we all have different skills - budgeting is a good one!
I can sure tell you admire her. Justly so.
So many lessons learned in life and memories to keep.
Thank you for sharing.
I don't think my parents ever had debt. Both of them worked at the start, and again once their boys were in school, but after I came along my mom stayed home. By that time they were heading into retirement from my dad's job.
ReplyDeleteMy mom could sew and she made all my clothes. She had taught art in school, and both dad and mom worked in their little garden. Dad had veggies and blueberries. Mom had mostly roses, she loved them best. Every year was a battle for the blueberries: would the birds get them all or would we have some? Dad covered the plants with netting, but always a bird would get in there and be trapped. Year after year, same story. :D
We were ok financially, but our family was frugal and careful with money. Others took fancy vacations and travel; we didn't do that, at least not in my childhood. We did travel for a while, because they wanted to move away from the city when my dad retired, and were looking for the best place to spend the rest of their lives.
I remember some of that, and then when they found a little old house that needed work, they bought it and fixed it up while my dad still had an income. So I spent gradeschool with my mom in 2 different places: home and retirement house, back and forth, a few months here, a few months there.
MaryB
I love that even when things were bad back in the day - so many kept away from debt. They were ahead of the times it seems. Very frugal.
DeleteCute story on the blueberries - you still remember it. That is neat. I bet the roses were lovely.
Bought a fixer - so very frugal. I just love hearing all these neat stories.
We pretty much grew up the same way, Mom always cooked dinner, we didn't eat out except for the very rare occasion, Mom and Dad didn't have or use credit cards. It was a whole other world back then. Sometimes I think we were in the minority not having these things, but I snap back to and realize and realize that everyone in our neighborhood lived this way and it was not just us.
ReplyDeleteI kind of thought I was in the minority too - but from seeing what everyone is posting, I guess not. It sure was a different world - some days I think it would be nice to go back.
DeleteSuch good memories.
Dad built us a trailer one year which we used for camping and for our bi-yearly trips back to his and moms home province of Saskatchewan. I do have a credit card and so does Harvey, but both are paid off monthly. I do try to live like my parents did in that I have a budget and stick to it, I knit, sew, and repair my clothing. I even darn socks.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Oh how fun that must have been. I think camping as a youngster had to be an adventure.
DeleteYou obviously learned some very good lessons and continue to use them. I love that you repair things, most people just throw them away.
I have the same memories as you! My dad fixed everything he could around the house. Cars, equiptment the AC unti. He was very handy. Now people throw it out and buy new. Well, at 66 I am determined to learn how to change my oil in the car. JUST to see if I can do it. Then I will pay myself $60, lol
ReplyDeletemom was SAHM too. she did a couple of pt gigs, but not many. We lived on 9 acres and had PLENTY of things to do on the property. Swam in the lake, had horses, it was a GREAT childhood.
Sounds like a wonderful place to live. They just fixed things and did things themselves! That is how it was. We have become such a throw away society - it is really sickening.
DeleteThere you go - I did the oil change once - just to do it. I didn't like doing it, so I have it done! I do check all my fluids in the car regularly and know how to add to them if needed.
It is always good to try new things.
As a friend of mine said years ago "now that I can afford broccoli, I'd rather grow it". We lived super frugal from age 26 on, saving for retirement (we've arrived) and to do and have what we want. Any potential purchase is weighed in terms of our "to see/to do" list. Is this worth delaying X ??? Yes, by age 26 we were loaded with debt as his parents were terrible finance coaches and now, 47y later owe 4.5X on their home what they paid for it🫨🫨 Yeah, those people who look like they are living the good life may very well own nothing!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat example. Today young folks (many) want what mom & dad worked for years for - and they want it now. Paying these absorbent prices for homes and paying forever - paying tons more than the home is worth! It is crazy.
DeleteMy little modest home is worth much more than we paid (even w/updates).
I do believe it was worth the road we traveled. Security and peace of mind is priceless.
Agreed. We've been in this home for 35y and paid it off 15y ago. It is perfect for our retirement lifestyle and for aging in place. I paid cash for my new car 10y ago although we did finance hubster's because interest was 3% and my IRA was doing many times that at the time!
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