Evelyn duly reports other, more mundane activities such as her experience with the household help. Evelyn also writes of the difficulty in balancing the problems encountered in managing a home in a foreign country with her research, interviewing, reporting, and writing. The cost of living is a constant concern for Evelyn. Although her husband surely must earn an adequate salary, there seems never to be enough money to live at ease. The Manduleys make ends meet by renting out their spare room.
Shortages seem to be due mostly from the difficulties of transporting goods during war-time.
Meat, rice, and coffee are scarce, while such commodities as sugar and gasoline are plentiful. Gardening is a particular interest of Evelyn's. She often writes of the flowers and vegetables she is planting in her roof garden or backyard. Evelyn will occasionally comment on the current developments in Peru. Evelyn also gives some information on the guano industry in her letter of August 20, 1940.