TV-Web Producer Kate Taylor
Everyone knows that part of the financial mess we’re in today has to do with Americans’ penchant for over-spending. Take that and couple it with the rising cost of, well, pretty much everything and that leaves us all in need of a bit of advice on money-matters.
Think back to your childhood, how impressive it seemed when your Dad bought that new car or your Grandma showed up in a fantastic new outfit. And when you asked them how they paid for all that stuff, I bet they had some tips for you huh?
Well, Morning Express asked viewers to text in some of the most memorable advice they got from their parents and grandparents growing up. What follows are some personal finance rules to live by. What about you? What thrifty values did your folks instill in you? Share them in the comments field at the bottom of the page.
- My grampa used to say “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!” – Phil of Dallas
- My mom and grandmother taught me how to grow and preserve our food, which saves a lot at the grocery and tastes better too. — Morning Express texter
- My grandmother has stressed to me the importance of learning the difference between wants and needs. — Ryan of North Carolina
- My parents said, “Don’t try to keep up with the joneses!” — BK of Denver
- My great-grandfather always told me you can double your money by folding that bill you have and putting it in your pocket. — Morning Express texter
- They said put up $10 out of every pay to have something extra to fall back on when you need it. — Jache of Baltimore
- “Take care of your money and it will take care of you” is what I was always told and it’s true! – Ernie of Arkansas
- My grandma taught me how to make bread from scratch. My family loves it and I don’t need an air freshener anymore. — Megan of Virginia
- My Dad always said that if you cannot pay for a car in 4 years you cannot afford it. — Blaine of Houston
- The best advise I was given is pay yourself first on your payday! Treat your savings like they are a bill you must pay every time you get a paycheck. – Morning Express texter
- My mom says my kids should bring a lunch to school rather then buy a school lunch. – Daniel
- My grandma always told me to buy meat from the meat market in bulk and freeze it in portioned freezer bags. — Morning Express texter
- My grandma said for every $5.00 you put in the bank put $3.00 in a mason jar … That’s what she did during the depression. — Morning Express texter
- My grandfather said there was never a millionaire who said, “Crud, I saved too much,” so save more than you spend. — Natalie of Kansas City
- My parents would say: If you can’t pay cash for it you don’t need it. — Mary of Illinois
- We dont spend any of our one dollar bills. It really adds up fast and if need be covers unexpected exspenses. — Allen in Montana
- My parents say that I should make a pot of soup weekly to cut out on my food bill. — Morning Express texter
- My parents always told me to live below my means. I have and am debt free. –Morning Express texter
- If you ain’t got it, don’t spend it!! And save $5 from each paycheck in a high interest account. You’d be surprised how much you can save. Elaine of Kentucky
- My dad told me every day (as a kid) to put a dollar in a piggy bank; I now have enough money for books in all 4 years of college! – Morning Express texter
- Grandma always told me it’s not how much money you have or make – it’s how you manage it. – Lloyd of Defuniak Springs, Florida
- The lesson my parents taught me was quite simple. Don’t live beyond your means! I don’t have much but I’m not up to my ears in debt either! — Gene of Georgia
- Don’t buy too much house or use your house as a cash register. No 50 grand SUVs. Enjoy what you have totally and be real about what you can have. — Morning Express texter
- My dad always tells me to fix things that break instead of rushing out and buying it new. — Morning Express texter
- My momma told me if I ever get any overtime at work, I should take anything over 40 hours and put it in the bank. – J
- One money saving tip that I received was to put the money you want to save aside first that way in case you do go over budget you will have some $ left. — Morning Express texter
- My parents say i should get all my beauty products at the dollar store. — Beth of West Virginia
- Buy bargains in bulk, moderate use, store the excess and limit shopping trips. Kevin in Nebraska
- Dad used to say that he wished he had a dime For every stupid person he met. I’ve randomly started asking stupid people I meet for dimes and have $1K so far. — Morning Express texter
