Ways of Living.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 429, 11 August 1904, Page 7

Ways of Living.

MABRIED LIFE ON J63 A WEEK IN ENGLaND.

I beg to eabmifc to you my m*w scheme f° c t!l o allocation and 2§j§gg Bpanding o? a weekiw income of £3, as applicable to a married couple. The following is the table show, ing how I would allocate such ineome under various heads : Per week 1 Bent (inclusive of rates and taxes) 0 10 0 2 Travelling (husband) 0 8 0 3 Lunches (ditto) 0 7 0 4 Tobacco, papers, books, and incidentals (ditto) 0 3 0 5 Housekeeping (ue., all ordinary and necessary jointer several household and personal expenses, other than those separately mentioned) 17 0 6 Clothing , 0 5 0 7 Life assurance or sick benefit 0 16 Surplus 0 3 6 A3 0 0 Item I,—This is the lowest rent for which I consider a couple could obtain a respectable and suitable set of rooms, flat, or small house, and to obtain such a place at such a rent it would inmost cases be nesesaary for the hasband to journey to and from his place of business, which can and should b« confined to the expanses under Item 2. B.—lf this item is net Meegwwy bf saaoen «f fee huslunj* vyfe ing tar away it should be added to No. 5.

14.-? The husband's persoaal expenditure under this holding akouH, I ■nbmit, be confined te this figure, g and 6.—These »»<*» raoßt imperbant items of weekly 2??!I?^i tnr *' *** * M °* "waaaityof » Ihotaanng nature, and when any surplus rewaras of either, that surplus should be eat aside to meet any fntma increase under its respective head, and I think it would be foand that at times it would be necessary to reaoit to the accumulation of either of these to ttde over a temporary increase of the otaes, 7.—This item is very essential, and I regret I cannot see my way |to suggest that any larger expeadHure per week under this head should be incurred. The above, then, leaves ua a surplus of 3s 6iper week only, to be devoted either to enjoyment of unnecessary expenditure, or to be put by fis savings, either in whole or in part. I think it must be left to the natural temperament of the individuals concerned as to how this item may be disposed of, for I should not care to recommend any one, possessed only of such means aa above, to endanger his, her, or their happiness by forcing themselves to do either of these two things against their natural inclinations. It will be noticed that I have said aothiHg about children, as the expense occasioned by such, most fall under the heads of NoB. 6 and 7 In conclusion, as to savings, I suggest that these can only be provided out of any ultimate surplus from Items 5, 6, and 7, though I do not ttiak they could (provided a proper living be mad*) amount to much, and I consider that a deal of perseverance and moral courage would be necessary to carry out the above rules in their entirety.—Experience. How an Encuneman Does It,

A notation to the question ' How beat to apend one's income,* can only be found when husband and wife are in perfect agreement, and when there ia an entire absence of selfishness on both sides the hearth. The primary eonsidsration in spending one's income should be—not how much it is possible to save, bat how to secure the best possible value for the money spent. Health should have the first consideration, and this, I think, cannot ba Becured without an abundaaoe of good, plain food,, a healthily.situated house, warm clothing, and good boots These things I have aimed at possessing, I have a horror of cheap food and slothes, for I believe them in the long run to be ruinously dear. Clothes, if well and stylishly made, cannot be got at alow price, bnt the extra money paid is well spent, as well-fitting clothes wear loager,~ as well as having the advantage of looking smarter. I &m an engine-man, and in receipt of an average wage of 30j per week, and this is how my wife and I spend it:—Five shillings and sixpence psr week is paid in house rent, for a house with a few square yards of flower garden attached, and an. uninterrnpted view of acres of pasture and woodland affording a good breath space. Groceries, including a quantity of apples, and coarse oatmeal, absorb another 7s. We do not believe in eating abnormal quantities of meat, but think a little every day good for the stomach and pleasant to the palate. For meat and fish we pay 4a per week. One shilling goes in milk, and another Is is required to meet the demands of the insurance agent for a policy that will secure me £6O at.the age of 44 years; 1b SI is spent in sick and trade clubs, the latter providing a superannuation allowance of 83 per week in old age; Is 21 par week jast about pays for gas and coal; and a farther lg famishes me with pocketmoney, oat of which I pay for my newspapers and periodicals. 1 have heard people who are as well circumstanced as myself Bay they cannot: afford a week s holiday at the seaside in the summer-time. Well, we cannot afford to do without, and Is 81 par week jnst provides us with the needful amount. Four shillings psr week is needed to keep pace with the wear and tear of clothes; so that we have a modest surplus of 2i, which we invest in the Cooperative Society, and this, along with the dividend, which we allow to remain, will, by the time our hair begins to turn grey, total up to several hundred pounds A nice round sam at the bank is a vary valuable asset, but robast health, which cannot be had at the expense of the stomach, and with a lack of good, warm clothes, is mach more valuable,