Some of the best money advice isn’t new—it’s just been quietly working for generations.
Gen Z is growing up in a world of digital payments, on-demand everything, and financial advice coming at them nonstop from TikTok and YouTube. But while apps and hacks have their place, a lot of the smartest money habits didn’t come out of an algorithm—they came from grandparents who knew how to stretch a dollar. And those “outdated” habits? They still work—often better than you’d expect. They’re not flashy, but they’ll keep more money in your account and less stress on your shoulders.
The trick isn’t to live like it’s 1955. It’s to borrow the best parts of the past—habits built on common sense, resourcefulness, and patience—and make them work for modern life. These 11 old-school practices can help cut costs in all the right places and easily add up to $10,000 in yearly savings. They’re low-effort, high-impact, and they don’t require you to give up everything you love—just shift how you spend and what you prioritize.
1. Cooking most meals at home turns small savings into big ones.
Your grandparents probably weren’t picking up lunch three times a week or scrolling delivery apps at midnight. They cooked at home because it was cheaper—and it still is. Making even half your meals at home could save you thousands a year, especially when you stop tossing half-eaten takeout containers in the trash, according to the authors at Forbes.
The secret isn’t gourmet recipes or meal prep marathons. It’s learning a few staples you actually like, getting comfortable with leftovers, and using what’s already in the fridge. Grocery bills may feel high, but they’re nothing compared to the cumulative cost of constant dining out. Plus, cooking gives you more control over your health and your budget.
2. Paying in cash makes overspending harder and saving easier.
There’s something about physically handing over cash that makes you think twice. It’s not just psychological—it’s behavioral. When you only use cards, especially tap-to-pay or digital wallets, it’s easy to lose track of how much you’re really spending. Cash forces you to stay present and limits your ability to “accidentally” go over budget, as reported by the authors at The Conversation.
Try it for categories like food, entertainment, or clothing. Pull out your budgeted amount at the start of the week or month and once it’s gone, it’s gone. No overdraft. No surprise charges. It’s a simple trick that helps you get real with your spending—and keeps your bank balance from slowly bleeding out without you noticing.
3. Fixing things instead of replacing them keeps more cash in your pocket.
Before Amazon existed, people didn’t just toss broken stuff—they fixed it. Whether it was sewing a ripped shirt, patching a tire, or gluing a broken chair leg, they stretched the life of everything they owned. That mindset saves real money, especially now when most “disposable” items are still fixable with a little effort, as stated by Julianna at The Simplicity Habit.
You don’t need to become a DIY wizard overnight. Just start with small wins: sew a button, tighten a wobbly table leg, watch a YouTube tutorial to repair your headphones. Every time you fix instead of replace, you dodge another unnecessary expense—and build skills that keep adding value long after the problem’s solved.
4. Using the library cuts back on entertainment and subscriptions.
Libraries aren’t just for books anymore. Today’s libraries offer free access to movies, audiobooks, classes, coworking spaces, and even tech equipment. Instead of paying for four streaming services, a $15 audiobook subscription, and occasional Kindle buys, you can get most of that for free with a library card.
The best part? No algorithms pushing new things to buy or binge. Just quiet, curated value. If you’re trying to cut back without giving up your favorite books, shows, or hobbies, the library is one of the most underrated resources around. You’ll save money and probably stumble across something cool you never would’ve found in a feed.
5. Learning to say no to impulse purchases makes room for better priorities.
Impulse spending isn’t new, but it’s definitely easier now. One-click purchases, social media ads, and instant gratification make resisting feel like a battle. But past generations had a built-in pause—shopping took effort, and “wants” had to wait. That delay often meant you didn’t end up buying the thing at all.
Train yourself to wait 24 to 48 hours before buying non-essentials. If you still want it after that, go for it—but half the time, the urge fades. Old-school budgeting meant thinking hard before spending, and that pause is a powerful filter. It keeps your cash for what really matters instead of letting it leak out through forgettable purchases.
6. Making things last instead of always upgrading saves thousands over time.
It used to be normal to use things until they wore out—phones, clothes, furniture, even cars. These days, the pressure to upgrade constantly is baked into marketing and social media culture. But holding onto what works, even if it’s not the latest version, is a radical act of savings.
Keep your phone a year or two past the “recommended” upgrade. Stick with your old TV, your reliable car, your perfectly good jacket. Replacing things only when they actually stop working, not just when they stop feeling new, puts a massive dent in unnecessary spending—and breaks the cycle of constant consumption.
7. Shopping secondhand avoids retail markups and supports reuse.
Thrift stores, vintage shops, Facebook Marketplace, and resale apps are today’s answer to garage sales and hand-me-downs. Buying used isn’t about being cheap—it’s about being smart. Most stuff loses half its value the second it leaves the store. You can scoop it up gently used for a fraction of the price.
It’s not just for clothes. You can furnish your place, stock your kitchen, find workout gear, or even score tech items for way less. Make secondhand your first stop, and you’ll be shocked how often you find exactly what you need—without the sticker shock or the guilt of buying brand new.
8. Bringing your own food and drinks slashes daily spending.
Packing a lunch, carrying a refillable water bottle, or bringing snacks on errands might seem small, but the savings add up fast. That $7 lunch here, $4 coffee there, and $2 convenience store snack? Multiply that over a year, and you’re easily looking at a few thousand dollars slipping away on forgettable purchases.
Bringing your own doesn’t have to mean prepping everything days in advance. Just keep some easy meals on hand, stash protein bars in your bag, or refill your water before heading out. It’s a tiny shift in routine that gives you more control over your budget without sacrificing convenience.
9. Asking for deals or negotiating can lower your bills in surprising places.
Older generations weren’t afraid to ask for a better price—because they knew everything was negotiable. Rent, phone bills, car insurance, gym memberships, even online purchases can sometimes be lowered just by asking. It might feel awkward at first, but it works more often than you think.
Start with a script: “Is there any flexibility on this?” or “Are there any current promotions I might qualify for?” Make it friendly, not pushy. You’ll be surprised how often you get a yes—or at least a discount. A few phone calls a year could save you hundreds, and all it costs is a little boldness.