The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-04-03
SEVEN DOLLARS A WEEK
How q City Shop Girl Spends
Her Meager Salary.

Lucy" said I to q little friend of
mine who works in one of the large de-
partment stores, ''what is your weekly
salary"
Seven dollars" she answered, brief
ly, as she carefully continued mending
the worn glove which was occupying
her attention, what do you want to
know for?"
because I can't help wondering
how you manage" 1 responded. "You
are always neatly dressed and cheer
full. You pay your own way, send
money home occasionally, have Il sit
ting i'll church, go to the thcatcr once
i'll awhile. belong to a singing club and
Il physical culture class and are always
contributing to charities or the sup
port of sick friends. Now, how can
you do all this on seven dollars Il
wcek?"
Well" she said with thoughtful
smile. first and foremost, I am OK
tremely careful not only of the dimes
and nickcls, but also of the pennies;
and, secondly, follow n system in re-
gard TO every cent. A girl who sup
ports herself away from home or one
dollar n day has to be careful, but it
can be DONE
"My room rent" continued she, sis
my first expense. BY clubbing with
my chum get my share of this room :
which, you see, is large and light. with
an nlcovc for the bed--for 81 month.
Until this year paid the same amount
for the tinicst cubbyholc of room up
on the third floor of clearinghouse,
and it was as cherries n way of living
as can be imagined-icc cold in winter
and roasting hot all suinmer-but by
sharing expenses in this way and room
ing together we both do better. We
tried getting our own breakfast and
supper for awhile and lunching at a
downtown restaurant. but we were
not strong enough to do this in addi-
ton to our work, and we never had a
moment to go anywhere. Besides, it
was no cheaper in the end, so we gave
it up. So my room takes 81 every week
out of my slender 81 Then pay 50 a
week for table board, which is fairly
good and includes n lunch to take
down with me. Car fare is n standing
expense Of so cents week, and 40
cents goes for my laundry, be as care
full as | may. My handllcrchefs /
wash myself, and iron them by spread
ing them on the mirror while still wet,
and | wear just as few washable
clothes as possible, but still | rarely
get through under 40 cents a week.
Fifteen cents l give in church and
Sunday school on Sunday and 10 cents
weekly is my subscription to n fund
for caring for sick and helpless shop
girls. Then lay away 25 cents every
week for what call my amusement
fund, and in the summer and spring
and fall frequently walk down town
and back when it does not rain. All |
save in this manner, together with an
occasional nickel subtractcd from my
laundry, l add to my recreation fund,
and out of this money pay my tuition
fees at the singing and Delsarte classes.
/ must have recreation Of some sort,
and prefer to dress more plainly and
look after my mind and body little.
Of course 25 cents Il week is not an OK
tcnsivc sum, but the classes attend
were specially got up for the benefit OF
girls with low salaries, and cost me,
each of them, 81 q year. Five dollars
goes for an occasional treat at the
theatcr or opera, church concerts and
entertainments, and, in summer, Il
visit TO jackson or Lincoln park every
other Sunday.
During my vacations merely rest
in ny room or go to the parks, but il
the weather is fine this spring sknll
walk to work and back regularly, and
treat myself to week or two at Wild
wood, the working girls summer home
When get raise of salary am going
to my own home for n visit, but that
can't be done at 81 week.