The daily Alaskan., 1921-07-05


 happily ever after-thut Is, until I"2 question of the best way to handle the family income arose. But then there was no question just Ut first. Bob as sumed that as head Of hls family he was only exercising his prerOgatlve by keeping the purse strings and doling cut so much every once in while and Joyce tacitly agreed.
 Bob, dear," she timidly began at dinner, "Etta wanted me to go shop ping this morning"
 You went, of course?" he asked in the indulgent tone of one being sure of m affirmative reply.
 "No," returned Joyce bri2lly.
 Bob's face was a study. "I thought you adored shopping" he veutured. ''Why didn't you go, honey girIE
 Joyce suddenly lost her timidity. "l didn't have any money" she bIurted out.
 No money? Where did it all go to?" he inquired, mechanically, wipinE his dry lips and guping down some water.
 q don't know," confessed Joyce. all at sea. "I owe the butcher, the grocer the milkman, and the little you gave me seems to have evaporated."
 Joyce and Bob spent their first dis agreeable hour together fuCIng facts. But at the end of 1t Joyce was able 10 show Bob that to continue this practice of doling out uncertain amounts of money every once in while was nothing short of daily cructtiXon. Bob saw the justice of her claims and the niegardly position in which she was placed and together they resolved on a weekly allowance.
 Joyce felt sense of security in knowing definitely how much money she could spend weekly.
 This plan worked admirably for a few years, hut Joyce found it had in- convenient drawbacks. too. 4 single weeks allowance failed many times To meet expenditures that were in view month ahead. IL became an actual bug-hear to account for every penny. She struggled many an hour over ac- counts that refused to haaucc She could not always remember.
 One day Joyce went to call on Etta her bridesmaid, who was now hoppy wife, and found her busy writing out checks.
 Why. Etta" she exclaimed in rapt admiration. "I didn't know your ship had come in and that you had money enough of your own to bank. You're lucky girl"
 "I haven't any money Of my own exactly" laughingly protested Etla.
 But you sign these checks person. ally" coming nearer and taking the liberty to stare at the white bits of paper.
 "Oh, that's because we have a joint account at the bank" explained Etta. "We handle our Income ry the bank account. IL Is placed in bo,n Jim's name and mln" This gives he the right to write and sign checks equally with Jim"
 q should think that would cause confusion" commented Joyce with puckered brow.
 "No," returned Etta, "becOuse we are equal partners. We share in con- mon. Jim earns the money and de- poslts his weekly salary In the bank. He says I have earned it equally with him in caring for him. hIs health and our home. So the money belongs to both and both of Us have a say as to Its spending and its saving. It sim pllfes housekeeping and bookkeeping as I have all my purchases listed on bill and rendered once a month pay able hy check"
 Etta smiled. "'Evcry virtue lies dangerously near corresponding vice." she quoted, "and I had to bring myself up sharply oTce In while in order not to abuse the credit system. But I learned"
 Joyce went home with her mind full to overtlOwing with Il new, practical and workable manner of handling their Income.
 "Pshow! my salary isn't large enough" protested Bob when Joyce told him her new scheme that night at dinner. q can't get enough 10. gether at any one time to warrant bank taking my account"
 Joyce was not 10 be put down. Well, let us visit our local banks" she suggested, frankly state our cir cumstances and see what happens
 And they did finally, with the result that BOb's eyes were opened to the fact that the time has gone ny when the average 6ank refuses an account because of the limitation of the daily balance. That when a married couple open a joint bank account 1t estab- fishes domestic credit.
 Bob and Joyce went home as though treading on air. The bank officials