非常时期非常措施：小编把钱都从银行取出来稳妥地放在家里啦，闻着钱香，睡觉都心里踏实哈。 ----搞笑的小编
Nov. 21, 2008
Written by Jason Lankow
Having lived through the depression, our grandparents and great-grandparents formed a lack of trust in banks and turned to burying cash in the backyard or hiding it under the mattress (床垫). Our current economic downturn (低迷时期) doesn’t yet call for such drastic measures but there are things we can learn from those who went through this challenging era and prospered.
Food: Grow a Garden
Source: BW/Color
Growing at least some of your own food can save a lot of money and provide the satisfaction that comes from eating local, really local. Consider starting a community garden such as the Depression-era community relief (救济；救难) gardens, or the World War II Victory Gardens. For step-by-step instructions on growing your own relief garden at home, check here, and apply those same basic ideas to any project that you can implement on someone’s vacant lot (with permission) and organize some friends, family and neighbors.
Entertainment: Enjoying the Simple Things
Source: BW/Color
Not everything about the Depression was actually depressing. In hard times, we can sometimes find a lot of pleasure in remembering to enjoy the simple things in life. During the 1930s, games like Monopoly became popular because they gave people hope and allowed them to dream of a better life. Remember some of the board games from your childhood, and plan a low-tech outing with friends and family. It will also help you remember that you don’t absolutely NEED every single gadget ( 小玩意) that hits the store shelves, and on top of that (另外) it will be a bit cheaper than spending the day at Disneyland.
Transportation: How Many SUVs Does Your Family Need?
Source: BW/Color
Hitchhiking (搭乘) was prevalent (普遍的, 流行的) in the Great Depression (大萧条), and this is one area that can at least offer some creativity, although Mint absolutely does not recommend that you sell your car and get to work each day by holding up a thumb (举起大拇指，搭乘的手势) next to the freeway (高速公路), nor should you become a hobohemian (hobohemia 游民所居之贫民窟) and hop (跳) trains to get around. However, since owning a car is more of a luxury than a necessity, we can learn from the community aspect and form carpools (合伙使用汽车), walk to the store if it’s only a mile away, and if you are lucky enough to have a half-decent public transportation system, Google Maps now shows your time and cost to drive relative to taking a bus or walking. Consider moving closer to where you work and walk or ride a bike instead. Like Dave Ramsey, author of Total Money Makeover (翻新), says: “If you are willing to live like no one else now, you can live like no one else later.” Essentially, by defying (违抗) convention (惯例), even for a relatively short amount of time, you can save a hefty (【非正式用语】 异常大的或相当多的) sum of money.
Housing: Downsize (减小尺寸) or Rent a Room
Source: BW/Color
We all have different situations, and this is one of the most pressing (紧迫的，迫切的) issues facing our nation and the world right now. You might be just out of college and trying to make it on your own, or you might be paying for your child’s college now, but there are definitely lessons to be learned from the Depression. In some cases, it may be beneficial to sacrifice a bit of privacy in the short-term in order to get back on track (回到正轨) financially. Rent an extra bedroom to a friend, have your child move back home if you are struggling to send him or her rent money every month, or downsize your home. You don’t have to necessarily make a gut-wrenching (刮肠) decision overnight, but do yourself a favor and at least check out some listings on Craigslist for rentals, or have a real estate agent email you listings in a cheaper price range. If a great deal pops up that piques (激起，引起) your interest, you can at least bat around (详细讨论) the idea with your family. If you are single, just go for it!
Jobs/Entrepreneurship: Nothing Left to Lose?
entrepreneurship：企业家[主办人等]的身分[地位、职权、能力]
Source: BW/Color
Due to the extensive public works projects in the 1930s, there was at least a bit of relief for the unemployed masses (大众). People simply took any work they could, and often worked 12 hour days. If you are looking for employment, you might consider looking for a position that is slightly below your ideal salary, but that seems to have the most potential for advancement. If you are entrepreneurial, and perhaps have already fallen behind on bills, one positive thing about the current economic climate is that you are starting over at a time when many other people are also faced with starting from scratch (轻伤) financially, and perhaps you may even be in a position where you literally have nothing left to lose, which can be a great time for personal innovation and taking the risk to start in a new industry or implement an idea that’s always been in the back of your mind. It’s time for boot-strapping (步步为营法)!
Credit: Redefining What You Can Afford and Need
Source: BW/Color
If you have credit available, you might be tempted to use it before the bank cuts the credit line. Don’t do it. Going into debt will only hurt you in the long run. Instead, remember the words of your grandmother and heed (听从及考虑) this simple, age-old advice - “if you can’t afford to pay cash, you can’t afford it.”
Money Management/Budgeting: Simplify Your System
Source: BW/Color
When you simply have no money, it is easy to keep spending under control because it is impossible to spend. In many cases, one spouse [配偶(指夫或妻)] saved money in the cupboard ( 碗碟橱) and even hid it from the other spouse. There is a good trick to be found here that requires a lot of discipline. If, for example, you are getting hit with overdraft (透支) fees, you need to establish a barrier that you absolutely will not dip below (even if it means paying a bill late). Take the cue from the 1930s and use cash rather than debit (借方卡/账户) for your petty (小的, 不重要的) purchases, especially when you are close to zero in your account. This will help avoid paying $36 for that pack of gum if an unexpected payment goes through your account and causes an overdraft fee.