Waterbury Democrat., 1902-05-30
FAMILY SAVINGS.


 Dr Chalmers was q great man, and said many wise things, but he present. ed an epitome of economic wisdom ill his injunction, and became proyerbial, take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.'' Not less true is it that independence is con Sequent, not upon the amount of in come, but on what is saved out of it over and above expenditures. These things lie at the foundation of all wealth, and should receive the pro- found consideration. of every family.
 I assume that every member of the household is concerned in the prosper ity of the family, and interested in se- curing a competence for future exigen- cies. Especially is the wife concerned in this matter, and in the achievement of independence much depends upon her judicious and economical expendi- ture of the family funds for the family living. There should be the most per- feet harmony in the aims of the fam fly, and accord in carrying out their plans.
 Every family should determine to lay aside certain definite percentage
 
 a reserve fund toward the future in- dependence, or to meet future exigen- cies. Sickness and old age should be provided for, even at the cost of the seyerest self-denial. When the income is small, it is hard to carry out the pur- pose of laying aside a definite amount, and often the only way it can be accom- plished seems to be in husbanding small savings. But those who will give careful attention to the matter will be surprised to find how much can be laid up by saving the small sums which are so easily spent, under fhe mistaken idea that they do not amount to much. The condition of poverty or affluence of family may lie just here. Small savings carefully treasured will i'll time, and not long time, amount to large sum.
 Any family who will set reSolutely about it can lay aside a margin be- tween receipts and expenditures, which forms the basis of wealth and indepen- dence Readers of this article, who find it so easy to live up to the limit of income that it seems impossible to cut down expenses, will say that it is easy to write such statement, but inn practicable to carry it out. Barring what seems to us untoward dispensa- tions of Providence,sit is by no means so difficult q matter as it appears. While these suggestions are worthy the consideration of families of limit ed and small incomes, they are especi- ally applicable to a great middle class of our American people who think it incumbent to keep up a liberal style of living, even to the expenditure of their entire income, not infrequently ill ad- vance of it's receipt, to the inconveni- ence of tradesmen who supply their wants. It is a matter of astonishment how many families there are who make no attempt to regularly lay aside reserve fund for future exigencies. There cannot be the genuine happiness in such a condition that there is in the feeling of independence and security which true economy brings.
 There is real joy and satisfaction in feeling that the future is secure. come what will. The husband and wife. who by modest style of living and scrupulous care i'll laying aside savings. are enabled to own the house they live in, carry a policy of life in surance, which is at all times a secur- ity against want in case the breadwin- ner is taken away. and who have a fund upon which to draw in case of sickness, to educate the children as they grow up, and to take care of themselves when they are old, are in a position to enjoy unalloyed happi- ness. To secure such blessings hum ble, but comfortable. surroundings will be enjoyed with satisfaction, and the care of the pence will be q delight.