Evening journal., 1917-05-09
DON'T BE EXTRAvAGANT, DON'T BE MIsERLY;
BE SENSIBLE.


~ NE Of our women readers writes to ask our adj
~ vice on a subject which is bothering lot Of folk
in Wilmington these days.
"How can 1 best show my patriotism by economic
ing or by spending freely?' she asks zone day am
urged to buy anything that do not absolutely need
and the next day told that II do not spend freely
going to interfere with the countrys prosperity
and that if prosperity does not continue the nation
cannot be effective miltarily"
We sympathize with this woman because we have
been somewhat confused ourselves owing the widely
inerent ideas Of the expert economists if there be
any such.
There is one phase Of this matter about which every
body is agreed There cannot be too much economy
IN the purchase and OF foodstufs There is food
shortage throughout the world and 1t is the patriotic
duty of every person to produce much food pos
eibe and TO consume more than is necessary for
health and strength.
No need fear that he is going to interfere with
the countrys prosperity by economzing to the very
limit in respect OF food of every kind.
Now as to the luxuries and necessities other than
lood-clohing jeweiry, automobiles amusements etc.
Obviously if everybody in this country should adopt
the policy Of buying nothing excepting those things
absolutely required to sustain life and cover naked
ness the industrial activities OF the nation would be
parayzed.
It is conceivable that under certain conditions this
would be the thing to do but certainly such conditions
will obtain in this country however long the may
last
But il the extreme OF thrift and economy, as TO
things other than food be not good policy for tho in
diyidual at this time neither is the extreme Of ex-
trayagance.
AS a matter OF fact extravaganza is not good policy
al any time-war or peace.
There is very great difference OF opinion as to
just where reasonable prudence in spending ends and
extravaganza begins.
Certainly it may said that the family that over
spends its income goes into debt for the things
consumes from day to day is extravagant This sort
OF extravaganza if continued will surely lead to inan-
cial disaster, in time peace time
The family that manages to just make both ends
from day to day is extravagant If the failure to
save something is due to wasteful carelessness.
Without attempting to lay down hard and fast rules
as to saving or spending while at war; il
seems to that clearly the duty of every family
carefully to consider the family budget at this time
If you are oyerspending your income, stop it a
once
II you are just making both ends meet cut ou
enough unnecessary things to give you a margin o
financial safety.
II you find that you are saving something, but no
as much as your good sense tells you you should, 70
the future protection Of your family and yourself Gu
out some luxuries and increase your savings.
DO not lose sight of the fact that there is pros
pect OF decreasing prices in the future.
The chances are all in favor Of much higher price
for all commodities.
You must Judge for yourself whether your incom
going to be larger than it is take of IN
Increasing cost Of living
Don't be extravagant. at any time
Don't be miserly, now, or at any time.