Cash vs. Credit 227 



ing a higher price, or by giving a poorer article. 

 It should never be forgotten that credit costs 

 something. The cash customer is always con- 

 sidered a good customer, and can always have 

 the first choice of the market, and favors if any 

 are desired. Whenever monthly or quarterly 

 bills are run, the debtor is apt to acquire a 

 most dangerous habit — the habit of spending 

 now, to pay at some future time. The more 

 remote the time, the more dangerous the habit. 

 It is evident that the oftener bills are paid, the 

 less likelihood there is of mistakes and deceit. 

 If bills must be run, it should never be for 

 longer than a month, and prompt payment of 

 them is a solemn obligation. The article should 

 be done without rather than the seller asked 

 to wait for his money. Whatever plan the 

 housewife adopts will be conditioned by the 

 customs of the locality in which she lives and 

 by the habits of the local tradesman. 



Women waste much time and energy in buy- 

 ing things one by one ; they spend in this way, 

 too, much more than they realize, and then they 

 wonder where the money has gone. China, 

 linen, and the stock of clothing necessary for 

 changes of season, should be bought by the set, 

 or quantity, marked and prepared for use at 

 regular intervals. Women buy a collar or two, 

 a pair of stockings, a bit of ribbon, a bread 



