226 The Farmstead 



come is irregular, as from farming and most 

 other kinds of business, the problem of house- 

 hold financiering is much more difficult and re- 

 quires both greater self-control and better judg- 

 ment. It is usually possible for such families 

 to determine upon a definite minimum amount 

 which may be counted upon for ordinary living 

 expenses. The margin above this may vary 

 widely, but if the scale of living be habitually 

 adjusted to come within the minimum income, 

 there will be no terror of debt. The expendi- 

 ture of the surplus, when it comes, becomes a 

 unique and unexpected pleasure. Whatever the 

 plan adopted for distributing the family income, 

 the wife should have at her command and 

 should be expected to live within, a definite 

 share of the income. 



After the minimum expenses of the family 

 have been determined, the next most important 

 question is how and when they shall be paid 

 out. Cash payments are much to be preferred. 

 They have two advantages : whoever pays cash 

 asks no favor of the tradesman, and commands 

 the best quality at a given price. The trades- 

 man who lends money by allowing the payment 

 of bills to be postponed, must pay for his goods 

 and must have interest on the money necessary 

 to carry on a credit business. He must nec- 

 essarily, therefore, reimburse himself by charg- 



