When times are tough and money is tight, we need only look to our grandparents and great-grandparents for a slew of tips and tricks to help stretch every penny. Lessons of a frugal life should be passed down from generation to generation—you never know when circumstances change, or emergencies come about. Through the years, we’ve shared plenty of these good-to-know tips—and they still hold up to this day.

Adding diced mushrooms (or lentils) helps stretch a pound of ground beef to feed the whole family. Relying on pantry staples means fewer trips to the grocery store—and Door Dash orders. Reviving stale bread and making your own DIY spice blends help to make the most of what you already have. Buying bigger pieces of meat and breaking it down yourself often saves you money versus buying individual cuts.