Thursday's Thoughts: Income And Expenses October 1920

 

 

"Do not say, "Why were the old days better than these?" 
For it is unwise of you to ask about this." 
(Ecclesiastes 7:10)

Laura with the " Man of the Place"  her husband Almanzo Wilder
at their home on Rocky Ridge farm in Mansfield, Missouri
(circa 1942)
Image courtesy/The State Historical Society of Missouri

 

 

When there is so much talk of extravagance and mismanagement, both public
and private, it is very encouraging to know that our present state government 
has been so well managed that there is to be a lessening of taxes because 
the state does not need so much income.  On May 2, the balance in the
state treasury was $11,006,898.94 and there were no outstanding debts.

Interest on the balance in the treasury is now bringing to the state $1,000
a day, which goes into the general revenue fund. As this is the fund that
is used for the running expenses of the state government, the amount
that must be collected by taxes is lessened by just that $1,000 a day.

The budget system, bringing expenses within the income, with a margin 
over for savings, is quite as good for private use. It helps amazingly to
keep down expenses as I know from experience.

We all try to save and would be inclined to resent it if anyone should say
we were not careful in our spending, but we are too much like the town
woman who boycotted eggs because they were too high and then, 
without a protest, paid $36 for a pair of low shoes. 

Unless we figure carefully on both income and expenses, it is so easy to throw
 away with one hand what we save with the other.  The other day I sent to town
for a toilet preparation, the price of which has always been 50 cents. When the
Man of the Place brought it home, he said the price was $1.00; and the reason
was plain when I examined the goods.  They were done up in a new style
and very fancy package. Now it was the preparation I needed, not the
fancy package, but that sporty container had doubled the price.

Everyone these days has a try at telling what is wrong with business conditions.
I am sure that one thing causing us a great deal of trouble ad making higher the
high cost of living is the extra price we pay for fancy packages. 

 

Income And Expenses
(October 1920)
Laura Ingalls Wilder
An essay from the book,
Little House In The Ozarks
A Laura Ingalls Wilder Sampler
The Rediscovered Writings 
Edited by Stephen W. Hines
(1991)
Guideposts Edition