When I was young, my Grandmother told me to buy silver coins and squirrel them away "because you never know when you might need them". That was 50 years ago. I did what she told me, and thank goodness! I think pretty soon, I might need them. Thank you Grandma- I love you😚

Never miss an opportunity to talk to our elders, they are a fountain of wise information!

Both my parents grew up during the depression. My Mother could cook anything, bottle fruits and vegetables and grew a garden. We all worked taking care of the family. I mowed lawns starting at five years old. My Father could repair almost anything. When something wore out, Dad would remove nuts and bolts before he threw it away. We ate what Mom fixed and if we did not like what she made, we went hungry. I learned to eat all foods. They are gone now and I sure miss them.

Some economists have projected that both the U.S. and parts of Europe could slip into a recession for a portion of 2023. A global recession, defined as a contraction in annual global per capita income, is more rare because China and emerging markets often grow faster than more developed economies. Essentially the world economy is considered to be in recession if economic growth falls behind population growth.

These people were kids during the Depression. They had no knowledge of the time that preceded the Depression. For these people, the Depression wasn't so bad. But for their parents, it was a time of crushed hopes, desperation, and fear.

My Mom, who is 95, lived through the depression and the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma was raised on a farm. She said her Dad believed in diversifying - he raised chickens and steers and grew wheat and alfalfa. Plus they had gardens and fruit trees. They made it through and did well. She learned to can about everything. And their faith in God was strong.

I am only 30 years old, but Being born in a third world country I can relate everything they said with my childhood. That is the reason that I was trained at a very young age to be frugal and meaningful with my finances. Thanks God for that now I am happy and content while a lot of my consumer friends are going through hard times because of they spending habits. People need to learn how to cook and eat at home I love my rice and beans :).. God bless y’all and wish everyone a great day.

I grew up as a privileged child. I always thought it funny that my dad always told us to shut the lights whenever I , or my sister left a room. I’m 78 now and now I understand my fathers need to not waste anything.

My parents would tell me how they both came from large families and at Christmas time during the Depression if they got an apple, an orange, and a new pair of socks they really felt blessed. They raised a large garden, had a few fruit trees, a milk cow, raised it's calf for winter beef, raised a few pigs and had a flock of laying hens. They didn't waste anything.

I lived in the 60’s and 70’s as a kid. Very poor. Food was scarce. My mom was a divorced mom of 5. It was a really hard road to get where I am today. But , in the 70’s , we ate ALOT of spaghetti and peanut butter. Not much meat. No garden , and I was the full time babysitter by 10 years old. Winter mornings were heated by the oven in the kitchen cause the furnace wouldn’t work. Other families who had two parents didn’t understand the struggle.

The biggest problem today is the destruction of the family. People today attempt to find happiness through material goods and security from the government. Neither is able to deliver such things

The short version. Most people today will not know how to survive.

Most of you forget some segments of society were so poor prior to the depression that it was just another day

My mother grew up at a mine site in Northern Quebec during the Depression. Her family picked blueberries, always kept a garden, kept their own chickens, canned much of their winter food. Wood stoves and cutting your own wood was the order of the day. Everyone had to work. The only debt possible was the chit from the grocery store. Grandpa bought the children's clothing every Fall from the Eaton's catalogue. Teeth were cleaned with baking soda. Grandma Webber sent barrels of apples and herring there from Nova Scotia. Hunting and fishing from the forests around helped for fresh meat. All her life my mother stockpiled sale items, and she abhorred debt.

November 2023 and we are staring down the barrel of this again. I hope I can do as well by my children as these people's parents did for them. Thank you for the memories ❤

The debt people are carrying is scary . That and not knowing how to do pretty much anything other than shopping .

I remember my Mom told me about life during the depression. They lived in the country, had a chicken farm, grew vegetables, had fruit trees and not much money. But....they already knew how to "make do", so they did not suffer as much as the " city folks", because they were already self sufficient.

I grew up in the 60's, not the depression, but as a young adult I was poor. I like the "clean your plate club," my wife and I both went thru lean times when we were young, we try hard not to waste food. And the Lord does provide, no matter what, I never was homeless or hungry.

Parents born in early 30s. It had a huge impact on them even though they were children. During the COVID-19 crisis, I really fear for the state of the country. Utter selfishness, emotional fragility, inability to think logically, and so much time spent tearing down others. I see in these senior citizens strength of character, kindness towards the less fortunate, being satisfied with one's material possessions, love of God and country. I don't want another Great Depression but I think we will be tested over the next few years and I hope we can recover.

Back when I was a child, we got in trouble for not coming home on time. Today, you can't get the kids out of their rooms with all the electronics. I loved Christmas growing up. I remember cutting construction paper in strips, gluing each end to make a circle, and there you had a 20 foot garland for the tree. I tell my grandchildren they'll never know the true meaning of Christmas.

I love living the simple and frugal life. It makes me happy not to own a lot of junk, which ends up at the dump anyway.

I had family on both sides with farming background. Mother grew up in Estonia who's grandfather was a self sufficient farmer. The family lost everything when the commies took over. My grandfather on my Dad's side was farming in North Dakota in the 1930s. He lost everything when the banks took over. Perhaps there's not much difference? There is one thing for damn sure, the Government does not want self-sufficient people on the land.

As a kid, my dad collected empties for the bootlegger. After the depression, he became a captain in the US Navy. My mother went to work at age 12. She would repair her shoes by putting cardboard in as replacement soles. She became an officer in the US Navy. Things were bad. Kids would prize bacon grease sandwiches at school. 25% of the potential draftees in WW2 were rejected as malnourished. Now, you understand why I drive a 15 year old car, don't have cell phone service, don't subscribe to Netflicks AND I have no debt.

My grandparents were 20 years old in 1929, and 32 years old in 1941. They were adults during the depression and WW2. They died in the mid-1980's, when I was around 20 years old. I always wondered why they had a stockpile of canned goods, paper towels, etc. year round. Didn't understand it until 2020 when shelves at the store got cleared out, that I started to understand. And to think, 2020 wasn't even close to being as dire as the depression and WW2. Now I wish my young, stupid self would have asked them about their struggles and what they had gone through. Boy do I really miss them.

I didn't grow up in the depression era; I grew up in a depressing era. I remember hand me down clothing. I remember running water meaning either my brother or I would have to run to the well to fetch it - hand over hand method. I remember two wood stoves; one for heating and one for cooking. I remember no bathroom in the house, but rather outdoor plumbing (outhouses). We didn't seem to lack for anything. A simpler time. No cable television, with most houses only having one television per house. No cellphones, clothing dryer (hung it on a line), cell phones, computers, dishwashers, microwaves... the list goes on and on. I remember if it was broken and you didn't fix it, you simply did not have it. Watching this reminds me not to take for granted what I have :)

I watched "The Great Depression" on KZfaq by PBS American Experience 3 months ago. What I learned that I never knew about the great depression was a learning experience! Those that lived through it, they are truly the knowledgable teachers!

I am 49yrs old. I just read a book called" one Second After", it really opened my eyes to all the things I didn't know or take time to learn. Since reading the book, I've been working a garden and talking to as many elderly folks as I can. They do have alot to share. Most love to talk and enjoy teaching. I hope we don't have to go through anything like the Depression but I want to be prepared as much as I can. God bless to everyone!

How terribly important this message is at this time in our country. Thank you so much.

Back then family stuck together today most family's backstab each other.

This was precious, thank you. The elderly are a treasure trove of wisdom and their stories are beautiful of a slower paced and virtuous time. ❤️

Even though I am Millenial I respect these folks the most of what they have gone through. Without this kind of history it would have not made me hardworking and jack of all traits.

I asked my grandfather some 30 years ago before he died if he thought the great depression made people better. He chuckled for a moment and he then said seriously, 'Perhaps a few, but it broke most people and made quit a few angry individuals. It did not improve anyone I knew'.

The next one there will be much more suffering and probably death. Because we have forgot these valuable lessons.

My grandma grew up on a farm in Nebraska and my grandpa lived in the the city of Omaha. My grandma said to me, 'We didn;t even know there was a depression, it was just something we read about in the newspaper." While my grandpa really struggled in the city. As a teenager he would take odd jobs just to help support the family. My grandma's family felt no threat of eviction, whereas my grandpa's family were renting and 'had to pay the rent', they didn't own their place. Today young families seem to spend their money on casual wishes instead of saving it for future dreams, i.e., a home, property etc.I'm amazed that this video was published NINE YEARS ago, and so many recent comments. Is everyone looking up ways to survive the next drepression?? :)

Thank you for an excellent video: I try to speak to many young people today and tell them : Be smart save your money : live frugal : SAVE SAVE your hard earn money only to be Laugh at like some old fashion fool: These people are quick to spend $200 dollars on a pair of sneakers or $1000 on a new iphone: but do not know how to buy basic groceries and prepare their own Meal. SAD very SAD

Enjoyed watching and listening to these wonderful people. Such sage advice. My dad, aunts and uncles were raised during the Great Depression in Mobile, Ala. I have heard many of the same stories and strategies for survival from them. The best advice my grandmother ever gave me was to always live below your means and never be afraid to ask God to help you. This advice has gotten me through difficult personal times and sustained me for 66 years.

People are so self centered nowadays the next depression will be horrific

Reminds me of stories my dad told me. RIP Albert Bowen. Love you Daddy! And my grandma Scollie. She lived to be 105 = born in 1900. She remembered EVERYTHING

Look at them. Old people. Wise and loving. They deserve a kiss and a hug.

I remember hearing these stories from my grandparents and other older relatives. There all gone now. If this happened again most of America would not survive. The people of the early 20th century were A FAR BETTER, generation than the helpless babies we have now.

The more things you have , the more burden you have.

Contentment. Thats what the world needs more of. And more wisdom sharing from seniors to youth. We’ve lost a lot of that. Be kind and help each other.

My Great Uncle Earnest went through the depression here in Canada so knew the importance of having/growing food and NOT trusting banks to hold his money. Dads Mum went through ww2 rations in England & knew to always eat whats on your plate. Me as a man in my 60's taught my daughter to not waste food & to have extra food stored just in case the stores run short. Good luck to those here with kind hearts from Manitoba!

I love how health care is exactly the same now you don’t go to the doctor unless you’re on your death bed because you can’t afford it

Excellent. Such valuable insight from a generation I really miss. “We were content.” That speaks volumes in an age with minimal gratitude but great discontent. Affluence is not always a blessing.

My parents were children during the depression and they both taught me and my siblings how to get through hard times. As this world is now is heading for disaster, we are all prepared for whatever happens. Thank you all for your insite and experiences!😊

I remembered the days that my Mother told me about the Depression. No Jobs, everything being Rashioned out. A Terrible time for the entire World. Plus a War which took many lives.

My dad was a teenager in the 1930s. He could fix anything. Why? Because that was the only way it would get done.

Good old common sense! And not trying to find joy in “things” as they are temporal Trusting the good Lord.... the best advice EVER!

These people must hate seeing what’s happening to our country.

We were so poor ,we couldn't tell the stockmarket fell , we had brown beans tators ,cornbread and wild game for supper everyday ,mother was up at dawn and we had biscuits, gravy bacon and eggs every morning that was life of the early years we thought we ate high on the hog and mother kept a 5 gal bucket of flour and cornmeal, we had our own chickens for eggs and meat , and 3 gal buckets of sugar and lard and in lean times that would stretch for 2 to 3 months but she would makes cakes,pies,homemade donuts if you ask me we were rich ! This time of year I would make 50 to 100 dollars picking strawberries, we would pick blackberry for homemade jam and huckleberrys to sell to local stores ,we also picked apples for pay and could take the ground apples home so we had that too also had a large victory garden for vegetables, so we did alright .

Both of my grandmothers lived through the great depression-one was a VERY poor farmer who lived in a small farmhouse in Deer Creek MN. When she would talk about it tears would come out-only time I ever saw here cry. My other grandmother lived above her fathers store and said they did just fine-she said they used to feed anyone who knocked on their door-her mother refused to send anyone away without a full stomach:)

People better learn from this cuz it's coming our way very very soon, probably worst. This is the calm before the storm

Financial Rule #1 - Live Beneath Your Means

Back then people knew how to act and respected each other not like today where people only THINK about themselves. Men and women and children knew their place in life.

“Don’t emphasize stuff” love this!!

Farmers are the most important and noble people on earth.

lesson,stay out of debt and save money and do not trust banks.

I'm closing in on 71 yrs old. Grew up in the city and fortunate to have had a great up-bringing. Was taught to take only what you'll eat & never waste food. We weren't wealthy, but comfortable. I was the youngest, with 2 older brothers, who looked out for me. My mother and father taught me a lot. I heard many stories of the Great Depression from my Grandmother and Aunts and was told many times to learn from the elderly. I was fortunate and still remember what I learned. I've tried to pass it on to others to any who wish to learn. Many of our young don't want to learn. Thankfully, some do. I remember when I was about 13 or so and had a fever or bad cold, my Dad Would fix me a "Hot Toddy". Not real strong.

I was raised by my grandparents who were married just before the Great Depression. To this day, I clean my plate. I don't even throw away an apple core if it's fit to eat. I eat the whole thing.

Godliness with contentment is great gain. ~ 1st Timothy 6:6

Amen. I am focusing on Jesus, my Saviour, the KJV/Bible, hymns, prayer, helping others and learning to forage, community garden and learning to play Willow, my Mandolin. God bless you all. May you be filled with the Holy Spirit and good works to the glory of God through Jesus, His Son.

Although the Great Depression was horrible, I wish folks had more simple, wholesome, family lives! To me it's very sad and unnatural to see most people in public with cellphones, lost without them, and oblivious to the world around them. Technology should be a tool used for good, necessary use and not a way of life. Many are socially...inept because of their being "connected!" Old grandma dinosaur!🙏😊

The Depression of that era sounds like paradise compared to the Depression we’re heading towards. They had land, skills, family- all that’s needed to survive. Today’s generation is lucky to have any of those things

I watched how my grandparents lived and they talked a lot about the Great Depression. They had patches sewn on their patches. They raised 200 chicks in their bathtub. Nothing went to waste. We got up before the chickens to milk the cows and we went to bed after sweating through a long, hot and hard working day. Sleep was great. Somehow, the food tasted better on the farm. If TV would have been around, there would be no time for it. We grew food everywhere: up by the house, along the path, in the garden and by the creek. The Hollyhocks grew 15' tall and flowers were everywhere. We stopped just long enough to thank our Great Creator for his providence. It's a great life. If we could only live it today. But now, ask any child where food comes from and he will say 'From the store, of course!' Let's learn how to grow food and then teach it to the children, lest the innocence, joy and peace we long for and need so much will never be regained. It's a very precious gift, if we are so blessed as to regain it. itellwhy.

Watching this again, these older folks eyes command respect in such a gentle way.

Thank you for sharing their stories.

What wonderful people...I'm an old brit but we had exactly the same types of people...

These Elders remind me of my Grandma Alma telling of these home remedies, of how there family was all so close! My grandmother has passed away now. I miss her so much! Most people today take so much for granted! I'm so thankful for all the time I was able to spend with my grandma as a child and as an adult.she taught me so much .

I remember In the '50s when doctors would actually come to our house to treat us. Can you imagine that happening now? Some doctors have months long waiting lists. I actually found a mobile doctor a few years ago, but I think he went out of business!

Thank you for sharing. This is truly important and should be said and shared. All our grandparents went through a Great Depression no matter where in the world they were. It was a tragic and horrendous Global Recession time.

Living in the country we grow most of out food. If another depression hits it won’t hit us hard like it will the city dwellers

My parents. Came through. With a lot of tricks learned. A big lay off for dad . Then he worked on farms. On the table were onions. Served with the meals. We had a lot of "free milk" and "cheese" little did we know the cows had gotten in the onions. And the taste would transfer to the milk. He would make shine.. mother was good seamtris. And had a telephone certificate . Worked for Orwell telephone co. What they learned in the 30's paid off in the 50's and 60's dekv4li

My grandmother told me was the only thing that save the population from starving was everyone planted potatoes. .carrots. and onions.... No one starved in the great depression. ....

Watching this thinking... I cant imagine being a mother back then, but looking at what were facing now, I better get my brain wrapped around it because I am about to find out what it was like.

Im one of those millenials without any real skills to get me through a depression. Here to learn ✌

My grandmother lived thru the depression raised my mother and uncle. She was the strongest woman i ever knew. She was only about five foot five but she could work alot of men under the table. She outlived two husbands.She never wasted and never tolerated others doing so. She always had big gardens and fruit trees,butchered he own livestock,and canned everthing she got her hands on.Her kitchen was huge. It had a propane stove and a iron wood stove trimmed in white enamel.My gosh i remember the aroma of that home made bread wafting thru the big farm house and her singing Rock of ages while she worked her garden.She pinched a penny until it screamed.She taught me alot.Beautiful memories. RIP sweet gram.

Helpful advice.Thank you. I want to add a note: I'm a sport sailor. I'm convinced the old 1900 - 1940's designs were practical and did the work well at low cost and low maintenance. You could fix or rebuild most things on a working boat with hand tools. Nowadays there are engineers who make their living inventing more new deck hardware which is manufactured and sold at vast prices and is likely to break when you're far off shore. Like life here on land, you don't need all the newest gadgets. Teach yourself now to "make do"with what you have and you'll be glad you learned those skills one day.

Things you own end up owning you.

What fantastic folks, very sage advice. And to echo what others have mentioned, we must try to provide for ourselves, because the next one will be worldwide and far worse. God bless

I can see why the people in this video are called "the greatest generation ". No complaints and always seeing the good side of things.

I definitely remember my grandma reminding everyone to clean our plates.

Being of good moral character is an important key to getting through hard times.

i see not one obese person in the photos, everyone looks healthy, our society is now a disaster ...

These wonderful people speak Truth! I grew up in the 70's if something bad happened to a family the neighborhood helped each other. We all got whooped if necessary and went to Church every Sunday. Granny Doctored us kids and even other's. Respect,Hard work and Honesty was instilled in us at school and home. Most of Our Families All served in the Military every war. Today's kids are Snowflakes and couldn't survive when things get bad. Remember gas lines in the 70's? Water and grocery limits. War comes to America us old Soldiers will have to back up the young one that do serve. Our local Recruitment centre tells me they can't get enough kids that can even qualify to enlist Sad! God Bless America! Uncle Jeff!

Who is here during Covid 19 lockdown for tips?

My grandparents were great people. Eastman Kodak built there home. $1100.00. A nice place. He worked there 37 years. Lived in the same home all there married life. My grandmother never learned to drive. Always had a garden. Wonderful woman. Every winter they would go to FL for 2 months. Thats how much vacation time he had. Try that today. Today people just work to keep up with the neighbors. Pensions. Whats that? People cant afford to retire today. It will only get worse. At some point 1 or 2 of your kids will have to work just to make the family mortage payments. Am i wrong? Has your paychecks kept up with the cost of a home? When i grew up. Mom was always home. Not now. We wont even talk about health care.

The people in these interviews were young children when the Great Depression happened. It would be interesting to compare their memories with those of people who were adults during the Great Depression.

Never have a CENTRAL BANK .

2020 here: KZfaq, are you trying to tell me something?

Both of my parents grew up during the Great Depression. My Mother also reported her mother putting a salve on her throat for sore throats AND chest, with an old sock. For ear aches, my mom said HER mom used warm sweet oil. Every meal was with potatoes. Clothing was made by my Grandmother. They never went to bed hungry. My father sold eggs and magazines to help the family. He wore cardboard in his shoes when the soles wore out. You didn't run out to buy a new pair of shoe. Wasting food was also not an option. Yes even we were told to eat everything on our plate. Left overs---add water for more sauce or gravy or broth. My Great Grandparents had a small farm where they grew corn, beans, potatoes and had a cow AND a pig or two. I would imagine the Great Grandparents farm helped my Grand parents and thus my mom during the depression. I can relate to much of what these wonderful folks have to say. This video is a wonderful piece of history. Thank you.

Thanks to GVSU for this video, to each of the older folks thanks for sharing. Everything they had to say is valued. These folks as children grew up to be IMO the last great generation.

Anyone else watching these videos and taking notes? 😀

People are to be treasured and things are to be used. Biggest problem today Things are treasured and people are used and abused. We live in a very self centered generation,no morals no respect for anyone.

I could have listened to their stories for hours. Thank you.

I find myself smiling when watching & listening to them speak / share their story. I can certainly see the benefit from having a more full life experience through having less stuff. Thank you for sharing!

if I retire and end up at the Salvation Army, still very thankful. Its been a Hella run

6:40 "We were a christian family & we let the lord provide for us & we never had any serious health problems"

So much wisdom from our grandparents!❤

There are a great pieces of learnings from these old timers. Whatever they are saying is absolutely priceless. Happiness is a state of being not dependent upon other things