Economy in the Household
By Mrs. W. F. Crafts
—Margaret J. Preston, in Independent. Economy in the Household.
“It’s what thee’ll spend, my son,” said a sage old Quaker, “not what thee’ll make, which will decide whether thee is to be rich or not.” Not what we spend, but what we save, is what will make rich, is the usual way of putting this matter. Evidently, the old Quaker was thinking more about the money that should be spent rather than the amount. Sometimes we hear people say, with a laugh, when they are spending an unusual amount of money, “I am buying myself rich,” meaning that they are getting so many things. To teach how to buy one’s self rich, is the aim of this short chapter on economy. It is easy enough to buy one’s self poor; that can be done without any instruction. The first rule we shall give is, BUY NOTHING THAT IS NOT NEEDED. Plain food will satisfy the actual needs of the body. Pies, cakes, puddings, preserves, and sweetmeats, are not necessities; they are often the causes of disease and unfitness for work. It will take less money to buy meat, fruit, and vegetables, than these dainties, and they will yield a large return of muscle and strength in every part. The actual needs of the body in clothing are not large. An oreide breast-pin, or sham diamonds, or lace-trimmed flounces, or sparkling jets, or tinkling bangles, do not add any to the comfort of the body, but rather to its discomfort. It is not by spending money for foolish articles of food or clothing that we are going to buy ourselves rich. Economy in food does not mean that our tables shall be uninviting; neither does economy in dress necessitate ugliness. Let us bring to plainly, neatly-spread tables the sauce of hunger and the bread of contentment, and the repast will prove fit to set before a king. Let us clothe ourselves with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, and flashing jewels, lace, and velvet, will not be needed to make us attractive. It would not be a bad idea for a house-keeper to take an inventory of stock the first of each year, something after the fashion of business men; that is, to make a list of household possessions under two heads—“things needed” and “things not needed.” It might be well, also, to add up the two columns and compare the sums. “Why spend ye your substance for that which is not bread?” would be a question that would naturally follow in many homes. The second rule to be given is, “Cheap” is a snare in which even very sensible people are sometimes caught. It is not unusual for people to buy things that they do not need, just because they are “cheap.” The auction room becomes to such people somewhat like a spider’s web to catch the silly fly. In making purchases, it is safe to conclude that we get no better things than we pay for. The trade cannot afford to give us better bargains than that. Our care, rather, should be to get as good as we pay for; cheap things are cheap; the price will never be below the quality. When a cheap piece of silk is offered, let us consider whether or not we can afford to pay the price asked for so much dye stuff and material. When a cheap piece of muslin is offered, let us stop to think of the price of starch, and decide that cotton, not starch, makes the best wearing material. In getting shoes, let us remember that strong leather costs more, but wears better, than brown paper soles. A dress of good material will “make over as good as new” two or three times, while a poor material will be unsightly with a few times wearing. The third rule is, KEEP AN ACCOUNT OF EXPENDITURES. “I must have lost some! Where can my money have gone?” are expressions that may often be heard, when one returns from a shopping expedition. Then the buyer will sit down and make a list of things purchased, and add up their cost, and find that nothing has been lost except in foolish bargains. To keep an account of all money spent is a wholesome check upon extravagance. It would be well to add up the account once a week, and see how it compares with the income. This is a sure recipe for living within one’s means. The fourth rule is, It is so much harder to pay for things already eaten or worn, that they seem to cost twice as much as when they are paid for at the time of their use. Debt is a destroyer of self-respect, of peace of mind, of the good opinion of others, of one’s ability to do the best possible with the amount he has to spend. A buyer with cash in hand can always do better, get fairer prices than one who must ask for time. Do without things until you can pay for them, is sound advice. “Economy is a virtue in the richest king!” Why should the rich be careful of their means? To teach those who are less fortunate that it is not mean or stingy to be economical, and so as to have more to give to the poor. Both rich and poor should remember that the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof, and that they are only stewards to make a wise disposition of what is only for a lifetime placed in their care. —Mrs. W. F. Crafts, in Christian at Work.