WHERE TO ECONOMISE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 31, 31 October 1907, Page 3

WHERE TO ECONOMISE.

Few things seem so hard as to alter any present mode of living. Sometimes the head of the family says: "Expenses must, be cut down.",;,;Tho.family income has become less, or the, claims on it have become greater, or the expenditure .leaves no margin lor saving. To do .without anything we at present have seems quite impossible. When everything is down to tho lowest possiblo basis already, how can even a pound a, year be saved.-' However, .often there is 110 choice;'it simply must be done. * - If one is living in a houso.not one s own, the first, suggestion, always made by some member of the family is to take a house with a cheaper. rent. But there are always reasons why it seems better .to stay where one finds one's-self than, to move. -.We could never get a house to' accommodate tho family for loss rent, argues somebody. Then there is the cost of moving. The carpets arc too old to take up, - and they would not fit tho rooms in the new, house, nor would the blinds. All the members of tho family cheerfully exaggerate the disadvantages of- going elsewhere, so, oil;'the whole, it -seouis too difficult to move, and the item is-left as. it

is. . If the housewife is not strong-minded enough to move in spite of her family, sho had .better reduce her, rent by letting part of her house. This is rather a disagreeable plan, but .it helps to work out the" economical problem. I Next to rent' conies the item of. wages.

"Doing without a servant" is another remedy, and 0110 which effects a large saving. A servant's keep and .what'" sho wastes and breaks are even- heavier items than, her wages. To do without help in tho household is hot a plan to bo recommended, though, for delicate women or those who have 110 lik-

ing for housework. .Unless tl'.dy havo "all the modern conveniences " in the home, and can so simplify things that housework will not absorb the jvholo of . their timo and strength,', it will be, found too .confining and fatiguing for such women, to endure and 'keep their health and .spirits. / . As regards clothing, most , families can economise if thoy really want to. It is wonderful how well 0110 can' do without tho new

dress, or hat, or. petticoat that" seems so' indispensable at the beginning of the season Bargain counters, we are . usually told, musl be shunned.' Yet,■ if ono really needs ar article, it must be true economy to buy 'ij after' it-has- boen "marked • down,'-' if il

really has been. •; At all ' Vents, some genuine money-saving' bargains' arc often securedby the wise; shopper 1 ; but she must have the loisure and inclination to' shop' intelligently. It was nevor possible todrdss as well on so little as liow, for 'ready-niado "clothing is'excellent and durable. 1 ; It is wise to buy little clothing, and that-good-looking and sufficiently attractive,' but 'simple in cut and colour. If'a hvrini.m cannot trust herself to buy .carefully, thero is only one hope for her—to keep away from ■ the shops. ; ... - ' • .. :( )v ; , The leak in the family purse most often lies in- the; item usually called ."incidental expenses." 'Thcso. include entertaining, amusements, fares, postage, doctor's and dentist's bills, charity, pew . rents, and. so on. All' of these arc' much harder to "reduce than .the more regular items. Life without aniiisement would not seem " worth living! Theatres, concerts, library subscriptions, and the means of diversion aro meat and'drink to certain natures. People who: feel in this way about their pleasures should not' give •them'.up,: as'tliey would become ''depressed and ill by so : doing-, but it is possible, per-: h?.jis, to go to cheaper places to derive cntertaiiiirent. Roserml seats are best;' 'but half a loaf is,. in this instar.qe,' hotter than 'ho bread. "If you can't afford a hansom, ttfke a. 'bus," and go out and: enjoy yourself if you'.have- a 'pleasnrc : loymg nature." ' ; If wo. give lip entertaining,' our friends will drop us. No doubt. Even the truest of friends must be looked up and kept in touch if the friendship is to manifest, any .vital force. There can be'no one-sidediiess about keeping up a friendship. The most devoted friend will' tire if she has do all the seeking out. However, simple hospitality is.all that, ono need offer:.to friends, that matteri As to acquaintances who like us.' because of our parties, and will not know us unless we .give-thouij. they will have to ho tet go. Doctors, dentists, education, benevolence—these things -must be kept up and paid for as usual. Ih all ways the best form of economy is to make more money,, so as to have more to spend. . V