Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-28
TO INVEST HER SAVINGS
Money Problems for the Girl in
Business.
PITFALLS TO BE AVOIDED
Real Estate as Sure and Paying
Venture.
LIFE INSURANCE AND DIAMONDS
ACCESSIBILITY OF Keeping Safe Re-
serve in the Bank-Value Of
Little Foresight.
Written for The Star.


The latter, indeed. is comparatively easy
once thrift has become habit: but when
1t comes to investing the average woman is
as ignorant as a child. Like a child, too.
she Is far more likely than not to yield to
the plausible persuasions of the first
snooth-tongued prospector who comes
along-if she happen to like his looks-and,
with a fine disregard of common sense prin-
ciples. to intrust her entire hoard to him
for investment
Dlsinterested advice to the wouId-be in
weston of the gentler sex must necessarily
consist largely OF "Donts" One of the
nrst lessons she must learn Is that there
Is no sentiment in Oney-making, though
sentiment-real or simulated-fs often en-
pioyed as means to that end. Just as
soon as woman Is known to have money
In the bank swarm of "grafters'' each
with sure thing investment scheme, will
gamer about her as quickly and as GER
tainly as flies around a honey not. The ac-
tual size OF her bank account matters not
at ALL for ru-ror will inevitably make 1t
several times larger than 1t really Island
vsestment schemes a bank account of any
dimensions Is worth angling for.
Fleeced by Adventures.
There are thousands of adventurers of
beth sexes who make their living by fieec-
u
savings, at the same time keeping strictly
within the limits of the law. 1t is an easier
task than 1t would seem. for 1t Is but rare
~ that woman engaged In one line of
business takes the trouble to acouaint bar
Self with the inner workings OF another
Ihat Is where the investment shark fnds
ms advantage, for he knows that she must
Oh necessity take somebody's advice and
as we'll his as another's IL she loses he
can always shelter himself behind the plea
that nobody's Judgment is infallibIe.
A NJ experience Is very desirable COM
modify to have on hand. but it is possibIe
10 purchase 1t at too high a price: hence
the woman who wants to increase her
funds instead of losing them will do wisely
10 look before she leaps. 1t is because
stfrct latent in them that SO many become
involved In worthless stock speculatfons afSd
set-rich-qulck schemes. 1t may be possi-
PIE 10 make fortune in day, but 1t hap
pens SO rarely that the chance is not worth
Hsuflng upon Moreover 1t is well 70 ra
member that when 1t does hannen the
lucky one wins at the expense OF the sew
srai nundred unlucky ones who lose Thus.
IA piungfng into the vortex of sueeuIaffon
tnere are several hundred chances TO one
asalnst coming out on the winning side.
win small investment fund ana no
f1il's =. IN modern finance 1t is arrant
aoily 10 enter the stock market, for the fire.
quent calls for margins to hold declining
STOCK against possible rise will very
quickly put the small investor out of bust
ness, minus everything but broken-davp
nervous system and a dreary outlook for
the future. Even with Substantial re
serve 1und. investment in stocks 10 nre
carious business for the woman who knows
nothing OF the ways of the market for nm
less she has the advice of a .tfrfend at
court to depend upon she must necessarily
rus. enereiy to her brokers' Judgment as
to buying and selling as well as To his in
tegrity in giving her fair deal
Business Of Her Own.
One Of the safest moves for a competent
business girl with profession or trade is
to use her small savings In establishing a
business OF her own. The expert stenogra-
pner VINO mas level head can make more
IN conducting shorthand and typewriting
bureau than in holding an office posftion
and the same is true of a capab,e rnantcnrs
ana masseuse In neither ca Sc is the initial
COST OF the venture very great, while office
rent may sometimes be paid in work.
mfiIlner, however, will require more reserve
capital to start with, unless she intends to
work on a strictly cash basis, which is
hardly practicable; but she can haIye her
working expenses and double her custom
by going into business with a dressmaker
on the cooperative plan
Reai estate Is one of the best paving in
vestments for the far-sighted business
woman VINO lives In the midst Of thriving
community; and aside from its remunera-
tiyeness is the keen delight of ownership
than which nothing makes one feel proI,der
or more independent OF course it is a
mistake to plunge blindly into land specu
latfon-just buying lots here there or the
other place simply because somebody else
generally an interested party-advises 1t.
Can Look Into for Herself
But one point In favor of rea1 estate in
vestment is that 1t is one of the few snecu
iative ventures that any girl with ordinary
business acumen can look into for herself
Suburban life attracts so many city
jewellers nowadays that the best chances
lie In the country places within reach of
the commercial centers. It Is not dffficuit
matter, II one read the papers intelligen1iy.
to perceive In which direction the golden
opportunities lie; but one needs co,ra %
and ambition in order to follow them IN
Occasionally one may buy promising lots on
the fnstallment plan, but they are oftener a
burden than blessing, as assessments
must be met and the land cannot be resoId
until 1t is fully paid for. On the whole 1t Is
wiser to wait until one can buy outright
II girl possesses the necessary capital she
can often pick up splendid cash bargains In
houses and lots. and dispose of them later
at fair profit. In fact. this sort of In
vestment is the best paying of ALL except
perhaps foaning money on mortgage
Needless to say all such investments de-
mand keen foresight and cool Judgment. as
well as the expenditure of considerable
time
portant points to be considered One is
the title 1t will pay to have reliable
Arm trace the ownership clear back to the
beginning for property with clouded title
Is bound to prove dear Investment An
other Is the location of the ground with
regard to water supply. sewerage etc If
In a newly mapped town site it wilt prove
more profitable II near projected trolley ard
electric light lines Should the streets be
ungraded. examine the town plans and see
il the ground Is above grade If below
do not forget that It will not be available
for building purposes unless elevated, and
that this will be costly operation.
Life Insurance
1t Is curious fact that life insurance
and diamonds are Invariably held out to
the working woman as highly desirable In
observation-disclosures alone knows why. Vol
umea could be written concerning the mem
ace OF life insurance. for there is nothing
which more quickly drives human cupidity
to the depths OF crime For the woman
who has helpless dear ones dependent upon
her earnings life insurance Is, doubtless,
good thing-though she herself will never
reap its benefits; but for the girl who has
only herself to think of 1t Is grievous
mistake Regarded as an Investment ii Is
simple nonsense. for even on an endowment
policy the premiums must be regularly paid
So t<~.r<