What Granny Did To Save Money

I’ve been thinking a lot of my Granny lately. She was born in 1919, 10 years before the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Depression. As the 4^th of nine children being raised on a small farm in Girard, Georgia, she learned very quickly the art of survival.

When I was growing up, I thought Granny was nuts for saving and recycling everything in sight. Looking back, I realize that her generation was the original “Green Movement”, they saved and re-used everything! I now understand her mind set and truly wish she was here so that I could thank her for the valuable life lessons.

What follows is a list of what my Granny used to do to save money during the sixties and seventies when I was a child. Some make sense, some I have never understood.

Tin Pie Pans – I cannot for the life of me throw out a pie pan! I hear Grannies voice, “Are You Crazy? You can use that to make more pies, make biscuits!” I just went and counted 7 in my cabinet. FYI – I don’t bake pies and my biscuits taste lousy.

Bread Bags – I just recently remembered this one. Why would you save bread bags, was there a shortage of bread bags? I had to call my Mom for clarification. According to Mom, the empty bags were used to put excess chicken/meat parts in, and then put in the trash. I don’t save my bread bags but I do save my plastic grocery bags (same thing) to use for the same purpose. FYI – they are also good to line the trash cans in your bathrooms.

Bread Bag Ties - I have no idea why she saved these. All I know is that she had a drawer full when she died and it looks like my daugther will be cleaning out a bread bag tie drawer also when I am gone.

Tin Foil – I remember getting slapped on the hand for balling up a piece of tin foil – it can be washed and re-used people! (Granny made me un-ball it, straighten it out and wash it!) Yes, I re-use my tin foil.

Grits – It’s not only wonderful with a bit of cheese and butter, it works well on ant beds according to Granny.  Just sprinkle a bit on top of the mound, the ants will eat the grits, and then the grits will EXPLODE when it expands in their stomachs! Personally, this never works in my yard, but in honor of Granny I always try it before I put down poison.

Sweet-N-Low/Sugar/Rolls/Paper Napkins/Etc. – Granny, God rest her soul, could not leave a restaurant without taking a few sugar packets, sweet-n-low, paper napkins, left-over rolls, etc. According to her, once you sit down, all on the table belonged to you and you were allowed to take a few extra. You were paying for it after all. And yes, I've been known to take a packet or two home.

Thank you Granny. Please know Granny that I really was paying attention and that I love you and miss you desperately.