Lessons in Frugality
There was a time when being frugal meant you were smart. You weren't cheap, you were savvy. That attitude and approach to life was a natural side effect of living through the Great Depression and World War II, says Jeanette Pavini, author of the new book,"The Joy of Saving," which aims to teach us the money-saving approach to life practiced by the Greatest Generation, Americans who learned to live with food shortages and rationing, record job losses, and a devastated economy. Pavini's book is based in part on the values and timeless skills of her Italian-American father, Galdo Pavini, who survived the Depression, but also wisdom gleaned from her two decades as a consumer reporter, covering everything from budget grocery shopping to home decorating for less. Here are Pavini's tips for being Depression-era frugal, with a modern spin.