Readers Respond: How to Survive a Great Depression

Responses: 82

By Kimberly Amadeo, About.com Guide

You know there are very simple things that you can do to save money. I make my own breads and sweets at home instead of buying them. My kids earn their own money for the things they want. We don't eat out or buy foods that cost alot of money. Another thing that you can do is clip coupons and shop the weekly sales only to save money. cut you food bills in half like i have by doing these things.
—tammralynn

Ride a bike, or walk. Substitue an item you don't have for what you do have, make your own clothes or mend torn ones. Wear socks not panty hoses. shoe repair, Grow vegetables. Sell dinners & pies. Eat lessl, no meats, rice & beans. No hair cuts, or beauty salon"s, do it yourself. Baking soda not tooth paste. make soap. No big macks, eat at home. go to bed at dark..
—Guest dprice1114@yahoo.com

I was born in fiftyone but mom believed in raising the children like the depression. It was good for us are know now are can love in nothing Android make it something. I'm a woman but I know how to work like a man. Thank you mom
—Guest sue griffin

my ideas would be, get off of the internet and stop buying computers and electronics, computer security and such and save your money for food and transportation. Walk everywhere. Tighten your food belt. don't buy anything new, play cards, talk with your neighbor, get an old car and pay for it.
—Guest christie33549

Clean up your financial obligations, credit cards, mortgages, car payments etc. live WITHIN your means. All the current financial issues are very similar to the 1930's. the government is forestalling the big burp, with bailouts. Where does that money come from ( the bailouts)? Tax revenue- that comes from a dwindling group called employed taxpayers. It is already here, it's just going to get worse.
—Guest History buff

You put on your oxygen mask, put the inflatable floaty device around your neck, put your head between your knees, and... Seriously, the Great Depression of the 1930's never really ended did it? Weren't we just living in a bubble?
—Guest Daniel

we need to find ways to stay away from anymore great deppressions. They wont be exatly like it was in 1929 so we wont know how to get out of it all we know is that we have to work together to get back out and to stay out of it
—Guest brianna

quoting bob marley one love and one heart get together and everthing is going to be alright
—44441

1.I agree very much with banding together with others to survive, from being robbed or from being killed by others . 2. To add to your list is that you need to store up with food that does not spoil, that will keep for years and water. If people are straving they won't be able to eat gold or silver, they need to store up food and water for themselves and to help others, and not just family. You need to help an individual if you are able to, that is straving! When you store up food think of others not just storing up for yourself and your family.
—MaryAnneTanner

The recession from the S&L crisis in the late 1980s into the early 1990s was resolved and shortened by the establishment of the RTC. That speeded up the resolution of foreclosed and renegotiated properties and the RTC paid for itself reducing the cost to the taxpayers. The housing market is the most seriously affected market. It and associated output lines such as furniture and wood products still obviously far behind the rest of the economy. Strong government led effort to workout the bad loans and stabilize the economy needs to be pushed. Additionally, the recessions since the 1960s can be viewed as having a fairly specific cause. "We need to learn to identify and address those causes rather than attack the whole economy. Currently, most businesses are profitable but not growing. Look at how far behind the rest of the economy housing is. It's the key just as it was in the 90-91 recession.
—Guest larry ripley

If the value of the dollar drops, you'll be spending more & buying less just for the basics. You'll need to recognize that; develop a budget (cut out excess spending), and live within it. In another economic depression, you'd need to learn how to repair things instead of just replacing them. Also, team up with your neighbors to purchase food in bulk--4 families buying 2 sides of butchered beef will save a lot of money NOT buying beef at the grocery store. There would be an increase in "backyard" farming, and of canning vegetables & meats by families. Older children may live at home longer rather than moving out into their own home, condo, or apartment. Get used to a more simple life, but keep the faith--eventually, there WILL be economic recovery!
—bwshook

Everyone says work together, promote small businesses. The problem is we have incorporated do much technology and advancement in the workplace that there is little possibity to reenter into the workforce in a way that could truely make an impact. In addition, we also say " buy american". Come on! What the hell is american anymore, we have sold our country out to China. Items that are MADE in america are using foriegn components. We sold ourselves out to have a materialistic society, pure status. Sorry but while we were showing off our labels and namebrands we were digging our own 200 Trillion dollar hole. What can I say.... Blessed are the poor for they shall inherite the Earth. Good Luck
—Guest Doesnt look good

yolo means you only live once... which has nothing to do with this topic, but I thought it would be nice to bring up. Incase you didn't know that you only live once
—Guest guest lolo

Kimberly Amadeo
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