How to Learn Who Made Money During the Great Depression

NYSE crash of 1929

Who made money during the Great Depression? Despite the fact that the stock market crash of 1929 and the following Depression era meant loss of fortunes and income for many, there were some individuals and businesses who made money during the Great Depression. Some made millions, in currencies which were worth even more in that time.

These savvy people did so by taking advantage of lucrative opportunities for which they were prepared, whether by skill or savings. Knowing who made money during the Great Depression -- and how they did it -- could help you prepare to follow suit in the years to come.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Floyd Bostwick Odlum

   Research investors. Before and during the market crash that triggered the first Great Depression, a man by the name of Floyd Bostwick Odlum turned $39,000 into $100 million by investing his seed money in undervalued firms during the Depression. He didn't invest it in stocks; he actually bought up the failing companies at about 50 cents to the dollar, re-organized the firms and sold assets to raise more money. He repeated this process for 15 years, amassing over $100,000,000 in the process. He is one of the top investors who made money during the Great Depression.

2. John Maynard Keynes

   Learn about economists during the era. John Maynard Keynes was another wealthy investor, later a well-known economist, who made money during great depression. While he lost 80% of his wealth during the stock market crash, he soon recovered that and much more in the following years. A British investor who didn't do well before the Depression, his fortune changed when he began to invest in select companies undervalued after the stock market crash. One of his very profitable investments was in American utility companies, which were quite cheap to invest in when he did in 1933. His portfolio was quite volatile during these years, but in the end, he made a great fortune.

3. Chevrolet trucks circa 1933

   Study brands that did well during the lean years of the Depression. Companies who made money during the Great Depression included Chevrolet, which overtook Ford for five years beginning in 1931, after trailing Ford sales 10 to 1 during the 1920s. Chevrolet was able to increase sales during the Great Depression by increasing its advertising budget and campaign even during the troubled economy.

4. Depression- era ad for Camels

   Learn more about companies that advertised to get ahead of competition and thus who made money during the Great Depression. For Camel, their advertisement campaign of the 1930's meant surpassing Lucky and Chesterfield to once again become the top-selling American brand ... despite the poor economy of the Great Depression underway.

Tips & Warnings

• For many who made money during the Great Depression, having no debt and some cash savings at the onset was key to success.

• Pay off debt and save up money NOW to be in a position to make money during the coming economic Depression.

• See book recommendations under Resources, below.

• Avoid dishonesty, cheating or otherwise achieving wealth at the cost of others.

Resources

• Ultimate Family Preparedness Pak
• Mountain House Freeze-Dried Food
• The Great Depression Ahead: How to Prosper in the Crash
• Crash Proof 2.0: How to Profit From the Coming Economic Collapse