Listen to Your Elders - Ideas On Surviving an Economic Crisis
I have been working with older folks my whole life, first as a hospital volunteer, then in church and community groups, and for almost 15 years as an elder law attorney. One of the unique aspects of my work with older people is the wealth of personal history each and every person recounts.
I can vividly remember listening to my grand father talk about trench warfare in France in 1918, my father witnessing a kamikaze attack in the South Pacific, but the most recurring theme of all the stories from family and elder law clients is money. These stories inevitably started with the father of the family losing his job, the market collapsing and everyone in the family having to pull together to make the ends meet.
Yes, even the children worked to contribute to the family's well being.
Clothes were passed down from sibling to sibling.
Shoes were repaired (one pair for everyday, one pair for Sunday - when everyone went to church).
Meals were simple and shared as a family - candy and ice cream were special treats (few people would ever go to a restaurant, most of those were in hotels and meant for travelers). No need to diet, since food was for nourishment and not entertainment. Farmers came in to sell local produce; strawberries were for Summer, potatoes and squash were for Winter
Noone trusted one bank - best to keep money here and there and some "pin" money in cash.
There might be one car that was used until it stopped working - walking to school (even in foul weather) was the only way to get there.
Children shared toys, parents read aloud to their children after homework; women knew how to sew, bake, knit, play the piano and manage household resources; men mowed their own lawn (and maybe a wealthier neighbor's lawn for spare change), disciplined their children, worked two jobs, and respected their wives.
Grandma helped care for the young children (or were the children helping to care for Grandma?) She lived upstairs and when she died she was waked in the front room.
There were few brands. What things that were bought at the store were often only available in one color, flavor or style; but were of good and consistent quality.
The message really was simple. Be simple. Hold fast to your family. Find pleasure in your relationship with each other and with your God. Most of all, don't live beyond your means.
