Five old-fashioned frugal habits worth bringing back in 2025
With today's escalating commodity prices and wasteful spending, interest in the hands-on knowledge of past generations is slowly re-surfacing. For most, what was once obsolete is now beginning to feel interestingly applicable.
According to a recent article published by This Evergreen Home, here are 10 definitive economical living behaviors that merit a place in every home in 2025. 1. Cooking from scratch instead of relying on processed foods
Before grab-and-go meals and frozen food took over, families cooked meals from store cupboard staples and periodic crops. Preparing and cooking food manually not only costs less per serving, but it also gives one control over ingredients and inspires healthier consumption. 2. Making do and mending instead of tossing and replacing
A worn-out shirt or cracked item used to be an opportunity to fix things, not a justification to shop. Stitching clothes, restoring dilapidated or broken household items, and extending the life of everyday objects were daily acts of self-sufficiency. Nowadays, reviving these abilities is both budget-friendly and environmentally responsible, and it also provides the feeling of genuine fulfillment in repairing something with your own hands. 3. Growing your food—even just a little
Our grandparents grew vegetables because they needed to. While many people aren't planting full-sized gardens, even a few pots of herbs in the courtyard can help reduce grocery expenses. Gardening is also a comforting, screen-free diversion that produces more than just food. 4. Using leftovers creatively instead of letting food go to waste
Decades ago, leftovers were not thrown out; they were recreated. Cooked chicken became broth; musty bread became pudding. With a little creativity and planning, today's evening meal can become tomorrow's noon-time meal, helping to stretch the grocery budget and reduce waste. In 2025, this isn't just a clever practice—it's a necessity for many families. 5. Saving scraps for future use instead of throwing them away
Our grandparents didn't waste anything. Bacon fat was recycled, glass containers became storage, and fabric scraps turned into comforters. Nowadays, saving scraps might feel unusual, but it's extremely clever. From vegetable peelings used for bouillabaisse to candle fragments liquefied into new ones, this practice combines frugality, sustainability, resourcefulness, and imagination. Making the most of what you have
Economical living isn't about going without—it's about taking advantage of what you have. In 2025, it's time we relive—not with melancholy, but with resolve—and revive the ageless art of living well on less.
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The founders declined to share their nationalities, and information regarding their backgrounds is not publicly available. A PHYSICAL HOME IN SINGAPORE While Vivaia's shoes are spotted on everyone from Katie Holmes to Bella Hadid, the brand's first-ever physical store didn't open in New York or Seoul – but right here in Singapore. In 2023, Vivaia opened its first retail outlet at Bugis Junction, a move Chan describes as a 'truly meaningful milestone'. 'What made it so special was the opportunity to let customers experience our shoes firsthand – to feel the comfort, try them on and share their feedback directly with us. That plays a big role in helping us continuously improve our designs.' Since then, five more stores have opened in Singapore, cementing it as the brand's regional stronghold. 'From early on, we saw strong interest from our Singaporean community on social media, especially around having a retail presence. 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We had to figure out how to use recycled materials to make the satin feel and capture the elegance of a ballet flat while delivering sneaker-level comfort,' she shared. "We developed a unique triple-layer sole for better support. Since satin is hard to maintain, we worked through multiple rounds of testing to make the Sneakerina machine-washable without losing its shape.' Local customers have also made the shoes their own. 'Customers here often pair the Margot Mary-Jane with breezy, minimalist looks,' said Chen. 'In New York, it's styled with jeans, a blazer and bold accessories. With the Sneakerina, we see Singaporeans styling it from work to brunch, while New Yorkers go for a more fashion-forward and playful look with different shoe laces.' PURPOSE MEETS POLISH In the early days, one of the brand's biggest design challenges was striking the balance between function and form. 'For instance, the width of a shoe can pull us in two directions,' explained Chan. 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"From the chic look to the comfortable fit and timeless silhouettes, every pair is a reflection of what I've needed at different occasions, and what I've heard from women around me.' And then there's the woman who unknowingly inspired it all: Chan's wife. 'She's proud – and still a little amused – to be our muse,' he said, cheekily noting that her favourite shoes seem to change as quickly as the brand evolves. SUSTAINABILITY AT ITS CORE View this post on Instagram A post shared by VIVAIA | Eco-Friendly Footwear (@vivaia_official) Every pair of Vivaia shoes is crafted using 3D knitting technology to significantly reduce production waste. The uppers are made from recycled PET bottles – each pair repurposes about six plastic bottles, transforming them into breathable, durable yarns knit directly to shape. 'Any small amounts of leftover material are recycled back into the production cycle,' said Chan. The soles are made from sugarcane-based EVA, a non-toxic, fully recyclable material, while packaging uses recycled cardboard. It's all part of a larger goal: Zero-waste manufacturing. 'We have always been committed to 'doing the hard but right things',' Chan added. "This principle is not just a challenge, it reflects our corporate culture. We are willing to make decisions and take actions that may not gain immediate rewards, but are aimed at long-term sustainability.' WHEN HOLLYWOOD COMES CALLING View this post on Instagram A post shared by VIVAIA INDONESIA (@ The brand's first big brush with fame came when actress Katie Holmes was seen in Vivaia sneakers in 2023, followed by Selena Gomez sharing the Julie Pro heels on Instagram. 'That moment went viral, it really put us on the map,' said Chen. 'People started recognising us as 'the brand worn by Katie and Selena'.' Even now, the thrill of recognition hasn't worn off for the founders. 'It's both surreal and incredibly exciting for our team. It continues to inspire us every day,' she shared. WHAT'S NEXT Now in its fifth year, Vivaia shows no signs of slowing down. The company has grown into a global team of over 200 people across design, R&D, marketing, logistics and customer care – and since its launch, has reached more than a million customers in 61 countries. Its top markets include the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. 'Over the next five years, our focus is to keep listening closely to our customers, investing in great people, and continuously improving our products,' said Chan. 'We want to reach more people and make it easier for people everywhere to experience what we stand for.'
