Where to Economize

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Sep 11, 1879

Where to Economize.

A MOTHER who was particularly successful in keeping her children at home of evenings, so much so that it was with difficulty that they could be induced to accept an invitation to spend an evening away from home, was asked if she had any particular secret for so doing. She replied that she could think of none, except that she kept her sitting-room and parlor very light. “We put the gas on, full blaze, in both front and back parlors; then we keep the house comfortably warm all over, and this is the only secret, if it is a secret.” To this it was objected that it would be very expensive. She replied: “O, well, we will economize in something else, if necessary, but a cheerful light at evening we will have.”

Her remark was very suggestive, not only in the great difference in the cheerfulness of a well lighted house, and the gloom of one when the light is poor and stinted, but of the choice there is in matters of economy. In these times everybody has to study economy in some directions, but in family life it ought to be directed to anything rather than the curtailing of family comforts, or of the quality and quantity of children’s food. Better wear the plainest clothes; better have no extra suit; better put up with the old and patched furniture, than to deprive one of real comfort, especially the children. Warmth and light are the attractions used by the saloons, and other places of like resort, to draw our children from us. We must counteract these by providing better of the same kind. We cannot afford to economize too much in these.

Plenty of good warm underclothing, good stockings, and stout, well-fitting shoes will make presentable the plainest dress. If economy must be studied in children’s clothes, let it be in trimmings and ruffles, and not in those things which give warmth and comfort.

To practice economy successfully requires a great deal of study and experience. It is generally not very encouraging or pleasant to do, and yet there are those who have become enthusiastic in it. It has seemed to have almost the fascination of a game, to some, to see how little they could live on, and live comfortably. If one has to do it, it is better to do it in such a spirit than complainingly and fretfully. And, as to accomplish something is always a satisfaction, there may be a certain satisfaction in the study and experimenting that leads to a knowledge of how to economize in the best ways and places, how to live well, and at the same time live cheaply.—Columbus, Neb., Journal.