The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-11-24
TALKS ON THRIFT
The Broader Thrift


When we speak of thrift, the average
man and woman Immediately jumps to
the conclusion that we mean merely the
saving of money. and having been unable
to save money, concludes that the prac-
tice of thrift is an impossible achieve
ment.
We are apt to picture the man of thrift
as a "tightwad," SO careful in money
matters that it is painful both to him and
those about him; who counts every penny
with thoughtful care and spends it with
regret, denies himself every rightful
pleasure. wears his clothes until they are
threadbare eats the plainest of food, and
deposits his money in the savings bank
with clocklike regularity.
But that is a narrow thrift, and it may
not be thrift at all; for the miser is by
no means true example of thrift, al
though he may be a good example of
saving While thrift results in the saw
ing OF money, it is bigger and broader
than that. The man of thrift works hard
and earns largely that he may spend
wisely for the things that make life worth
living. While he has an eye on the fu-
ture he does not forget that We live but
once and are entitled to some of the good
things of life as we go along. Too many
people live so much in anticipation of the
future that they miss the joys OF the
present. Too many dread the future
and. instead Of preparing for 1t, worry
about it.
Satisfaction in life comes from two
sources: First a knowledge that we have
a part in the worlds work and are play
ing that part we'll Second, that we are
ready for tomorrow. In the last analysis
contentment both for today and tOmor-
row is merely a matter of dollars and
cents. While money is not the chief end
and aim of man, it is essential to the full
enjoyment of life A certain bank clerk
who had worked in one institution 70
y ears was summarily discharged. and at
As found himself out of job, family
to support and no money. He literally
went through hell before he found other
work at far less compensation. and all
the joys he had in spending his money
were overshadowed by the worry, the
doubt and the REIMBURSEMENT process. 1t
may be he could not save, at least he
did not, and a few hundred dollars in the
bank now would look like million to
him. There are many in the same situa-
ton to whom the loss of employment
would be a tragedy full of bruesome
horrors.
We mistake greatly the meaning Of
thrift II we conclude tnar IL means SILL
ply self-denial and saving; for while II
does involve sacrifice, it is sacrifice for a
purpose. Thrift earns for o purpose anc
spends for a purpose.
| There is a thrift that Is mean and mig
| gardly, and robs life of much Of its COM
| forts, and there is a thrift that is broad
| and helpful-the kind that makes for
we'll regulated life. gets solid satisfactios
day by day, prepares for a peaceful ole
age when the earning power is less ane
the needs greater than today
| The thrift we need Is. to repeat. tn
broader thrift that works hard, spends
wisely and saves consistently, and not thu
| narrow thrift that merely saves none.
at whatever cost in comfort and conven
| fence.
| Get the thrift habit-the broad thrift
habit, now; practice it thoughtfully
waste not the little things; find the 10.
that growing bank account brings; in
vest your savings safely and profitably
| emember tomorrow, but forget not to
day; spend for the things that last ant
find the secret of the broader thrift tina
| makes for better living. 1t Is the onl.
thrift worth while.