Making Do During the Great Depression
by Emily Wang
An Apple Seller
Many people lost jobs during the Great Depression. Resulting from this, people had to make do in many ways. Some men suicided or left their families of stress, leaving behind a maze of sadness for their families. However, although some men did, most did not, helping their families even if there was barely or not at all an income. Around the beginning of the Great Depression, an apple company decided to sell apples to people on credit, who in turn sold the apples. Five cent apple sellers could be found throughout street corners.
Although some people lost their housing, (refer to "Hoovervilles") those rich enough to afford a good house sometimes closed down entire rooms to lower heating costs. They saved money for food, although they still made some good snacks. A popular snack during the Great Depression, for those who could afford making them, was molasses crinkles. They were similar to cookies, but made with molasses.
To us, it wouldn't seem like a lot of money, but many things during the Great Depression could be bought for just a few dollars. It was worth a lot back then, but if we time traveled back, we would be able to afford everything we wanted (in a non-modern quality). A new house could be bought for less than $3000, a man's suit was around $10, a pair of shoes for about $4, and a shirt for less than 50 cents. Even less money was food, with a whole pound of steak for about 30 cents, a quart of milk for 10 cents, and an entire loaf of bread for only 5 cents.
For those who could afford it, movies were a dime, and popcorn a nickel. The movie theaters even gave out free prizes. However, even with all these things for what seems like a very little amount of money, most people could not afford any of it. A lot of people rented houses, but were evicted because of inability to pay. People waited in bread or soup lines, hoping for just a little bit of food. By 1932, the worst depression year, one out of four Americans was jobless. Poor living was common during the Great Depression: even some former millionaires had to sell some 5 cent apples.
Although some people lost their housing, (refer to "Hoovervilles") those rich enough to afford a good house sometimes closed down entire rooms to lower heating costs. They saved money for food, although they still made some good snacks. A popular snack during the Great Depression, for those who could afford making them, was molasses crinkles. They were similar to cookies, but made with molasses.
To us, it wouldn't seem like a lot of money, but many things during the Great Depression could be bought for just a few dollars. It was worth a lot back then, but if we time traveled back, we would be able to afford everything we wanted (in a non-modern quality). A new house could be bought for less than $3000, a man's suit was around $10, a pair of shoes for about $4, and a shirt for less than 50 cents. Even less money was food, with a whole pound of steak for about 30 cents, a quart of milk for 10 cents, and an entire loaf of bread for only 5 cents.
For those who could afford it, movies were a dime, and popcorn a nickel. The movie theaters even gave out free prizes. However, even with all these things for what seems like a very little amount of money, most people could not afford any of it. A lot of people rented houses, but were evicted because of inability to pay. People waited in bread or soup lines, hoping for just a little bit of food. By 1932, the worst depression year, one out of four Americans was jobless. Poor living was common during the Great Depression: even some former millionaires had to sell some 5 cent apples.