100 Years of Frugal Living Lessons

Grandma Esther and Grandpa Sonny would have celebrated their 100th birthdays by 2021. Their frugal and full life has inspired me and my family. Their story begins during the Great Depression in upstate NY. Neither family had much and they lived in the country. It was a hard life but they somehow managed.

Esther lived with her mom, stepfather and 6 brothers and sisters in a farmhouse. All of her frugal lessons came from her mother, who worked tirelessly to provide for her family.

In her early 20’s, she met Sonny, who lived down the road. After a short courtship, on Christmas Eve, they were married in a small ceremony. The next day, Sonny left for the war. They inherited 50+ acres in upstate New York, where my family had lived for generations.

My grandparents had 3 children- Karen (my mom), Aaron and Jo Anne.

I always felt that they must have been the luckiest children in the world, to grow up with the forest to run around, swim in the pond, and have a wonderful childhood…