Return of ‘make do and mend’
THE recession is forcing seven out of 10 older people to resort to wartime thriftiness to make their cash go further, according to research yesterday.
Seventy per cent of the over-50s quizzed use “make do and mend” money-saving tips learnt from parents or the generation who struggled with rationing.
Just over half (54 per cent) admitted they buy food at reduced prices, 71 per cent reuse leftover food, half mend clothes and over a quarter (29 per cent) grow vegetables.
And a staggering 91 per cent said they budget carefully and spend within their means, the Age Concern and Help The Aged poll found.
Nine out of 10 felt their frugal attitude could help younger generations weather the credit crunch.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Help the Aged and Age Concern, said: “The set of thrifty skills that many older people can tap into represents an invaluable resource in times of recession.”