WOMEN'S WASTEFUL ECONOMIES

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 72, 18 December 1907, Page 3

WOMEN'S WASTEFUL ECONOMIES

It is well that women are economical, sinco men are natural spendthrifts. But arc woman's economies always economical? Sometimes they are simply funny, but, again, at other times comedy borders on tragedy. When a woman who could buy for Gd. a ball of string that would last her a couple of years- wastes valuable time in untying and rolling up all the string that conies into the house on parcels it is only ridiculous. When sho uses lip shillings' worth of 'strength to save pennies in car-fare the matter becomes less amusing. But when she purchases and puts on her family cheap, sleazy. clothing, or, becauso they are inexpensive, buys foods for • her household tliati are lacking iii nourishment or ' doubtful in l character, she ceases to .be even entertaining. i :It would be well if the women of an economical turn would givo a little careful attention to their specific economies and find whether or not they are making .savings which really save. There is no priidenco iu refusing to take a convcyance home when one has been caught in a storm in one's best clothes. The damage done to the garments and to the wearer's health will probably amount to more in mere shillings and penco tliaii the cost of a "hack." One does not show wisdom in tinkering with home remedies and "patent medicines" wlicn one is half-sick in order to save tho charge of a call from the doctor. For a delicate woman who can afford to pay somo one to do her housework, to.wear out her own insufficient strength in doing it for herself is • not economy, but the worst sort of extravagance ami rank foolishness into tho bargain. Tho woman who saves her good clothes by always wearing the old and shabby ones when sho is at homo with only her husband and children may be sparing money. But she. is a very spendthrift in the chances she is throwing away of impressing upon thoso in 'her homo circle that they are her first thought and that her chief pride in adorning herself is that she may be attractive to those who lovo her host. Economics aro not to be despised so long as they actually economise., But imaginary economics come very high.