Why We're All Frugal Now

My grandparents and many others in their day survived the Great Depression with faith, fortitude and self-reliance. They worked hard because it was the right thing to do. They raised their own farm animals, grew a large garden and baked their own bread. They mended and reinforced things instead of throwing them away. Frugality was necessary for their survival.

Then over the next few years, life got a bit easier. More convenient, you might say. As easy as canned goods from the grocery store, fast food from the drive-through, and baby formula.

Fast forward to today, with poverty, unemployment, hunger and homelessness in the United States. The new reality is that even the middle class -- people with educations and jobs -- or who at least had solid jobs until a layoff -- are having to watch every penny.

It turns out that some of the back-to-basics ideas like growing your own food or making stuff last longer might not only be frugal, but better for our health and the environment. I am thankful for my grandparents' inspiration.