A 'Depression Era kid' watches every penny
'OLD SCHOOL' | Using discount grocers, eating less meat
July 8, 2008
Eighty-four-year-old Chicagoan Bea Waltz is "old school," when it comes to her approach to making ends meet.
"I was a Depression Era kid," says Waltz, who relies on Social Security income and her deceased husband's pension.
Growing up during those tough times, "you learn to really watch every penny you've got."
"Years ago before credit cards and checking accounts, etc., every homemaker kept a very strict budget on all items of spending," she shared. "When we approached the limits we allowed, we stopped the spending."
Waltz, who said she benefited from a home economics course she took years ago, added that frugal attitude helped her raise three kids and is helping her make ends meet today as food and medical costs rise.
Waltz, who suffers from hypertension, arthritis and high cholesterol, takes four mediations. Her supplemental insurance to Medicare goes up every year, she said.
"I can't understand why the health costs are what they are today," she said. "This is what bothers me very much. I'm looking over all the years from the time I married. My first child cost me $100, and now its thousands today. I recall the first time I was in the hospital having a baby, my room was $7.50 a day. Costs are just way out of line from what I've seen."
Waltz is temporarily sharing her Dunning neighborhood condo with one of her sons, who works at Home Depot; his wife, who is a stay-at-home mom; and a 19-month-old grandchild. She said to help make ends meet, when her son shops for groceries, he opts for discount grocery stores, like Aldi or Super Low.
She said she's found these "stock-up stores" can have 40 percent to 50 percent off your food budget."
She added the family is eating less meat.
"We plan our meals a little differently," she said.
What are you doing to make ends meet? Write to psmith@suntimes.com.
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