The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-25
FAMILY BUDGET
system IS URGED

Portland. Maine. Aug 23.--Im-
proved financing methods In the home
as means Of attacking the living
cost problem are advocated by the
State Agricultural and Industrial
league. which h guided In its efforts
to develop Maine a8riculturally and
industrially by the, policy that reduc-
ton n living costs will make the state
more attractive to Its own inhabi-
tants and to prospective immigrants.
The officials OF the league do not
expect any permanent reduction in
living costs In Maine until Maine 10
able to produce more goods. At pres
ent the stale is very largely dependent
on outside sources Of supply. 1t Is
felt, however, that much can be ac-
complished by making expenditures as
advantageously as possible, and to
promote that policy advice Is being
given Maine .householders as to ap-
proved methods OF marketing
A budget syxtem in the home IL as
essential in the view OF the home de-
partment Of the league. of which
Florence A. Warner Is director, as in
any business enterprise. A regular
routine for the day and for the week
In also recommended as a great time
saver. List your weekly tasks; de-
eide On which day each can best be
performed" is the advice given the
Maine housewives. List also daily
tasks. plan definite time for each
task, and plan diffic1lt tasks for
hours when disturbance ts least
| likely" Putting the plan on paper,
| so that q schedule can. be hung In the
Kitchen. IL recomme ended.
Meals, y planned ahead, are less
expensive. for 1t Ia then possible to
market for several meals at one time.
| BY arranging a schedule. It Is pointed
out. hoYsewives can readily insure
reasonable amount Of free time.
| In the administration OF the family
| budget, the league has prepared sta
| tistical tables to show what amoupts
should be applied TO specific purposes.
Figures are made on a basis OF 1919
| Is left for miscellaneous expenses and
savings. The general rule 1aiddown
| is that the smaller the income, the
greater the proportion that should be
spen- for food.
! II the family income is 5000 a year
| {$75 a month) an expenditure OF wa
a month IS recommended for food for
a family OF two. For a family OF
three this would be increased to $50
and for family OF Ave, 5000. Elk.
penses for house rent and heat would
be. under this budget system. for
family Of two or three, SIS. and Tor
a family Of Ave, 3ls.50. For cloth
| ing, 5000 could be allowed In
family Of two, $11..5 for a family
! Of three. ana S1z.75 foc a. family Of
fye. Household expenses would bs
kept to - or -. apart from items
already mentioned. The saving pos.
siole for q family Of two would b.
$13.s5: for q family Of three. $12.76
and for q family Of ave only S1.zb
1t must be recalled that several sta
tist.eal Investigations conducted II
! the United States Of late have placed
| 81, 800 to 1880 as tho minimum in
come on which a satisfactory stand
ard Ct living is possible for tamil,
OF Ave.
| For a family with $500 income
the league recommendation Is an ex
penditure OF $3.50 for food for
family Of two. $40 for three, or $53.7s
for = family of Ave. Rent would b'
| from $3.50 to $50, depending on ths
] size Of the family. and clothing. from
t$l37b to 321.25, also dependent or
the size OF the family. Household
4 expenses would run from $3.50 10 $40
i and the miscellaneous expense OF saw
4 ing possible for family OF two woul'
i be $S375. For a family OF ave
\ woufi be $43.75. For family OF fiv
1t would be $40.
Similar Mgures have been prepared
! for incomes OF various grades. rang
ing A. high an $1,000 year.