On Economy in Dress.

Manawatu Herald, 6 December 1904, Page 3

On Economy in Dress.

Disraeli’s novels (writes “ A Society Butterfly” in “ M A.P.”) contain many gems of worldly wisdom). The other day I lighted upon the following ; “ Great wealth wearies. The thing to have is about ten thousand a year, and the world to think you have only five.” This well-turned sentence really runs on all fours with Mr Micawber’a famous dictum on economy. The man who waited for •‘something turn up” made the famous remark: Annual income, £2O; annual expenditure, £l9 19s 6d; result happiness. Annual income, £2O; annual expenditure, £2O Os 6d ; result misery.” Both these authorities preach the value of the margin. This, indeed, is one of the truest secrets of economy, and applies with equal exactness to the woman who spends four thousand a year on her dress as to her less fortunate sister whose allowance is limited to humble forty pounds per annum. After all, riches and poverty are such comparative terms. ' Cavendish Square and Carlton House Terrace demand so much more than Clare, Cornwall, or Caithness. But in either case it is possible to avoid debt, simply from a due regard to the following rules ; (1) Always leave a margin. (2) Pay ready-money for everything. (8) Keep accounts; even the record of a penny accountbook acts as a wholesome check on one’s expenditure. (4) Take trouble ; choose the beat markets, and cultivate the qualities of a clever buyer.