No. 4.] 



HOUSEHOLD ACCOUNTING. 



79 



by their home, and know the yearly amount of money at their 

 disposal, then let them discuss how to spend that income to the 

 best advantage. To have clearly in mind what each particular 

 purchase will give to the home, to know that it supplies a real 

 need, will bring true contentment. It will satisfv not onlv the 

 individual but the group which constitutes the family. The* 

 right idea of use will prevent worthless buying. How may this 

 be accomplished? Not only by making a budget but by 

 keeping a strict account of all expenditures. Mrs. Richards 

 has said that "the great educational value of knowing how our 

 money is spent cannot be overestimated." 



Budgets. 



First, then, the budget must be considered. If a home is just 

 being established, then recourse must be had to the budgets 

 of families living in similar circumstances. If it be a family of 

 some years' standing, and no accounts have been kept, the 

 budgets of other groups must be consulted; but in addition 

 some help may be given bv an estimate of the outgo of previous 

 years. 



In dividing the income the ideals of the family will modify 

 the amounts suggested for each column. In the budgets con- 

 sidered the average American family will be taken as the unit, 

 two adults and three children under working age, or the 

 equivalent of four adults. 



Suggested Budgets. ^ 



1 Richards, Ellen H., "The Cost of Living," 1905, published by J. Wiley & Sons. 



