The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-09-22
TALKS ON THRIFT
How Some People Save Through
Planning Expenditures.

Planning Expenditures.
The New York Evening World has
been offering a series of cash prizes
for the most sensible plan of saving
as applied to the management of a
household, where the income does not
exceed $3.50 a month. A large number
Of plans were submitted by persons in
all walks of life, reading of which
leads to the conclusion that there are
a lot OF level-headed people getting
somewhere by good management and
definite plans of living, A perusal of
these answers would seem to justify
the following eonslusions
First, that the only method of saw
ing that proves practical and perma-
nent is the adoption of a well defined
plan. That means a scheme of liy-
ing that provides for the various ex-
penses incidental to rearing a family,
such as rent, food, fuel and light,
clothing, recreation, education etc.
No one gets any where in particular
by hit and miss method of life.
This is the reason so many people are
living next door to poverty all the
time. Any plan of life to be success
full must include the determination to
save, and if possible, a definite amount
as a minimum The determination
without a plan accomplishes but little.
Second, that the wife is the saving
element in the household. AS a rule
| the man earns the money and the wife
spends 1t. To her is entrusted the
buying of the supplies, the care OF the
children, their clothes and spending
| money. Even though the husband
| pays the bills. his wife contracts them.
She has time to shop and he has not.
Third, that the most workable plan
is as follows: Apportion the income
There are certain fixed charges in
every home, such as rent, clothing
and food. 1t is well settled that the
rent should not exceed one quarter OF
the income-"a weeks wage for q
months rent" II 1t is larger, it is
out of proportion and extrayagant. You
cannot live On Fifth avenue with Q
Third avenue income. The greatest
extravaganza are possible in the line
of food and here the wife can do hel
best work The cost of clothing cal
be fairly well estimated from expert
ence. Educational expenses can BIZ
figured with safety, and recreation
can be kept within bounds. The doc
tor and dentist may be uncertain
quantities at times yet these nee(
not be excessive burdens as a genera
rule. An apportionment should b.
made for lie insurance and the say
ings bank, no matter how small tn,
latter may be. A great many people
set aside definite amount for eacl
class of expenditures and try at leas
to keep within the appropriation.
Practically every competitor in tn
contest confessed that they starte'
their financial success with a saving
bank account. II was small in man
cases. but grew steadily The mai
who starts out to save will astonis
even himself with results he never an
ticipated It is the small steady say
ings that count.
Some people divide the week.
wage into parts. setting aside enougl
for each class Of expenditure. Will
others make the apportionment an
keep an expense account as guild
to determine how they keep within o
exceed their allotment.
To pay each bill ont OF its paTticula
compartment in the family cash be
is sometimes impossible, and IN
simple and effective way is to merel
keep an expense record. and If the e.
penditures exceed the expectation, GU
tailment or readjustment Is on orde
Lastly. many who have acquire
property have done so through tn
/, medium OF debt incurred-helpfI
d debt. such as a mortgage, buildin
/ and loan shares. installment HON
1 buying. etc. But look out in incu
,, ring such obligations that they b
within your powers to fulfill and til
h values conservative. Don't hitch u
+ to more than you can pull.
| The marvel in such experiences
net that these people saved a co,
" siderable sum, but that they saved ,
e all. 1t was all the result of plannin
1t willing, sacrificing the little things
IS have the greater ones, elimination {
waste. foresight. good judgment. Sc
y ting course and steering by
IS making resolutions to keep and n,
a to break, and being firm with one
2 self. but not parsimonious Thrift
getting habit and keeping II until
n gets you. These people got the hab
]. of getting ahead and the result
IA | -. uh.aA