The higher life. — There are other needs of family life
for which money must be spent besides the material ones of
food, shelter, and clothing. In the division of some family
incomes little thought is given to this phase of living. After
the income reaches a certain amount, it is possible so to plan
that education, recreation, philanthropy, and savings all
figure in the division of expenditures. Some writers say
that 25 per cent of the income of $1000 to $5000 should be
spent in this way. If thought is given to this, it would mean
opportunities for books, periodicals, lectures, and member-
ship in societies; some travel and vacation, social clubs,
theaters and concerts; charity and church expenditures;
life insurance and other savings. It is the idea of ownership
of property, of homes, of possessions of all kinds that has
led from primitive living to advanced civilization. And
with advanced civilization comes the need for the higher life
which should be satisfied and can be through wise division
of funds. The choice of things to satisfy this higher life rests
with the individual ; it may be music, it may be the culti-
vation of altruistic feeling in the help given to neighbors ;
it may be a bank account for some future good, or money
spent on excursions, lectures, or theater. Whatever it is, it
satisfies the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual life of man
and distinguishes him as one of advanced civilization.
328 FOODS AND HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT
Savings. — Something should be saved yearly even if at
first it is but little. Small amounts put away regularly in a
savings bank mount up to a considerable sum at compound
interest, for regular saving is the only kind that counts. Life
and sickness insurance are other forms of saving.
Allowances. — Each member of the family should have a
personal allowance, even though it is small. One mother
gave each of her children five cents a week, beginning at five
years of age, and increasing a cent a week each year, until they
were old enough to be trusted with more. Even at this age
opposite characteristics showed themselves. One boy saved
his allowance until he had a quarter to spend at one time ;
another was in debt before the end of the week. Each had
a bank, and kept accounts, as well. It is sometimes better
for a child if he " earns " his allowances by performance of
such household duties as seem best adapted to promote his
development.
Suggested and typical^ budgets. — In preparation for the
division of one's income it is helpful to study the budgets of
other families or individuals. Mrs. Richards in her book on
" The Cost of Living " gives a theoretical division of in-
comes, which is shown in the accompanying table headed
Suggested Budgets. It is interesting to study this account
and then those of families who have worked out their prob-
lems (either with or without the preparation of definite
budgets in advance) as shown in the table of Typical
Budgets.
In New York City it has been estimated by those studying
the problems of the cost of living of to-day that it is im-
possible for the average family of mother, father, and three
children under 14 years to get food enough to keep the
body in good condition with clothing and shelter to meet
the most urgent demands of decency for less than $900.
THE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET
329
Page 163
Presented as published in 1914. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The higher life. — There are other needs of family life for which money must be spent besides the material ones of food, shelter, and clothing. In the division of some family incomes little thought is given to this phase of living. After the income reaches a certain amount, it is possible so to plan that education, recreation, philanthropy, and savings all figure in the division of expenditures. Some writers say that 25 per cent of the income of $1000 to $5000 should be spent in this way. If thought is given to this, it would mean opportunities for books, periodicals, lectures, and membership in societies; some travel and vacation, social clubs, theaters and concerts; charity and church expenditures; life insurance and other savings. It is the idea of ownership of property, of homes, of possessions of all kinds that has led from primitive living to advanced civilization. And with advanced civilization comes the need for the higher life which should be satisfied and can be through wise division of funds. The choice of things to satisfy this higher life rests with the individual ; it may be music, it may be the cultivation of altruistic feeling in the help given to neighbors ; it may be a bank account for some future good, or money spent on excursions, lectures, or theater. Whatever it is, it satisfies the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual life of man and distinguishes him as one of advanced civilization.
Savings. — Something should be saved yearly even if at first it is but little. Small amounts put away regularly in a savings bank mount up to a considerable sum at compound interest, for regular saving is the only kind that counts. Life and sickness insurance are other forms of saving.
Allowances. — Each member of the family should have a personal allowance, even though it is small. One mother gave each of her children five cents a week, beginning at five years of age, and increasing a cent a week each year, until they were old enough to be trusted with more. Even at this age opposite characteristics showed themselves. One boy saved his allowance until he had a quarter to spend at one time ; another was in debt before the end of the week. Each had a bank, and kept accounts, as well. It is sometimes better for a child if he " earns " his allowances by performance of such household duties as seem best adapted to promote his development.
Suggested and typical^ budgets. — In preparation for the division of one's income it is helpful to study the budgets of other families or individuals. Mrs. Richards in her book on " The Cost of Living " gives a theoretical division of incomes, which is shown in the accompanying table headed Suggested Budgets. It is interesting to study this account and then those of families who have worked out their problems (either with or without the preparation of definite budgets in advance) as shown in the table of Typical Budgets.
In New York City it has been estimated by those studying the problems of the cost of living of to-day that it is impossible for the average family of mother, father, and three children under 14 years to get food enough to keep the body in good condition with clothing and shelter to meet the most urgent demands of decency for less than $900.