The Home: A Study for the Advanced Senior Class, M. I. A., 1925–26

THE HOME A Study for the Advanced Senior Class, M. I. A., 1925-26 LESSON VII— THE SPIRIT OF THE HOME I. The Lecture: A. What is meant by the spirit of the home? Every institution has an all-prevading spiritual atmosphere. Some one thing that is the summation of many things. B. Seven Heaven-making features of the spirit of the home: 1 . Consistent freedom. Ultra restraint was the fundamental provision of the plan of life rejected in heaven. Obedience and order may be secured in such a way that they are hated. The method of reaching good may be so bad that the good itself looses its effect, or liberty becomes tyranny when reached or maintained unlawfully, and judicious restraint is an essential element of a happy life. Hence, we say a spirit of consistent freedom characterizes a heaven-making home. 2. Kind helpfulness. All helpfulness is not kind. Some, if not unkind, is cross. A compliance that is accompanied with a scowl speaks of the absence of the spirit of kind helpfulness. 3. Cheerfulness. The spirit of cheerfulness cannot abide where requests bristle with authority and answers are coated with snapishness. Scolding is to the spirit of home-cheerfulness what static screech is to radio music, and grumbling is as frost among flowers. 4. Hopefulness. Where hope lights the way, heaven is never entirely out of sight. Discouragement is one of our deadliest enemies. Even death has its claims to usefulness but despair seems to be entirely void of good sidedness. Home improvements proclaim home hopefulness. Home delapidation is symptomatic of discouragement. 5. Love. The spirit of love is not dumb, and yet where love- words are rarely spoken it may be found with constant radiation of affection. Love lives more in ways than in words, and while it often shrinks from volubility it thrives best under generous voicefulnescs. The solicitous care of a daughter or the chivalric act of a son spells love at home in capital letters. The gracious acquiescense of husband and wife to each others wishes proclaims home love from heart centers. The home may be possessed of the spirit of free- dom, kindly helpfulness, cheerfulness and hopefulness, and yet without love all these are as nothing compared with love. If it can be said of a home, the spirit of love is there, it may be said of that home it is closer than next door to heaven 6. Patriotism. This is a form of love. It is love nationalized. Genuine patriotism always stands by the fundamental law of the country. 7. Reverence. This is the capstone quality of love. Through it the spirit of the home and the spirit of heaven blend. The spirit of reverence unites and entertains the Spirit of the Lord, through which the spirit of the home reaches its highest point of perfection. C Symbols of the spirit of the home: National life, faternity life, college life, industrial life and even social life have their symbols. Home life is left to the cartoonist.

188 IMPROVEMENT ERA An attempt to symbolize the spirit of one's home may result in a rather thorough self analysis. Try it. II. The Thought Exchange: A. Suggested questions and problems: 1. Why the almost universal difference between the tone of home communication and that of domestic correspondence? 2. Discuss the home-spirit value of a forced smile. 3. How is the spirit of the home affected by a non-compromising at- titude ? 4. Describe in a word the home-spirit symbolized by a group picture of a man with a gun on his shoulder; a big dog following the man: a woman with a child on her back, and a provision sack in her hand following the dog. 5. Also describe the spirit of a home symbolized by a drawing: A baby in a preambulator. pushed by a man who is holding an umbrella over a woman walking by his side. Small dog in the rear. 6. Present a picture which to your mind symbolizes the spirit of your home. No symbol to be signed. B. Questions and problems presented by the class: III. Social Period: A. A suggested activity: 1. Confessed instances illustrative of: a. The spirit of the "Gump family" home. b. "Gasoline-Alley" home happenings. LESSON VIII— THE HOME INCOME B. Activities presided over by a committee formed in class. IV. Announcements, assignments, singing and benediction. I. The Lecture: A. Home Finance: 1. The subject of financing the home is of greatest importance: indeed it may well be termed one of the cornerstones of successful home-making. For if the income is inadequate or poorly managed the entire family is bound to suffer. In addition, the feeling of general well-being which may be enjoyed by those who are members of a family group where there is a sufficient income to take care of family needs, tends to produce the greatest efficiency of effort. The family must be well fed, comfortably housed, and have the means and strength to procure an education for the children as well as other means of mental, physical and spiritual advancement. 2. The problem of adjusting the income and outgo of money is one of the "naughtiest" and also the "knottiest" in the whole economics of family life. It is probable that more "family jars" occur over this problem than over any other cause. The reason for this is two fold : first, girls are not, as a rule, trained to know the value of a dollar and to manage a growing household successfully. There is truth in the old saying that a woman can throw more out of the back door with a spoon than a man can put in at the front door with a shovel. Secondly, boys do not understand that the family income must be adjusted to cover all family needs, with the wife as a working partner, not a silent partner. The entire business of running a home, rearing a family, saving and investing for the future should be discussed and understood by each member of the family, especially by the husband and wife.

THE HOME 189 B. The home inceme: The income of the home is usually thought of as the amount of money which the family handles for its support, but in reality the income includes much more than that. C. The money income: 1. There are many sources from which this income may be derived. It may be the result of the father's earning capacity in the form of a salary, or of the returns from the farm when crops are sold. In addition to the pay for daily work, income may be derived as a result of wise investment of the family, or from the investments from an inherited estate. This direct money income may be augmented, if necessary, by the efforts of wife and children in the sale of home pro- duce, garden supplies, poultry and dairy products. Dif- ferent members of the family may increase the family income directly (by contribution or by taking care of themselves) , by giving music lessons, sewing, selling needlework, by doing typing at home, by doing of odd jobs or even by taking in boarders. In all of the above cases money actually comes into the family treasury for purposes of actual support or advancement which might otherwise be impossible. The money income may be augmented in ways which save cash outlay as well as by bringing in extra money. Such are the products of the garden, orchard, or poultry yard, or any source of supply which saves the actual outlay of cash 2. The use made of the cash income is most important because upon its wise distribution depends in large measure the welfare of the family. The possibility of future education for the children will be conditioned largely by the financial status of the family. Though a lack of ready cash need not deter ambitious children from obtaining an education. If determined, they may secure an education through their own efforts in spite of poverty; though this is often done at the sacrifice of their health. In this they should be guarded and given wise counsel and assistance. D. The real income: 1. The real family income includes much more than money, as discussed above. "The sources of real income in the family can be found by examining the satisfactions secured and tracing them back to their sources and then classifying the sources on an economic basis." (a) In addition to that may be listed the real family assets which permit the most possible use to be made of the entire income. Chief amongst these is a consistent training in youth for and a deep under- standing of the responsibilities of fatherhood and mother- hood. The man or woman who understands life values and who has had some experience can make an income (no matter how large or small) accomplish much more in purchasing power than is possible if they are inexperienced. It is one thing to earn money: it is quite another thing to spend it wisely. Any one with ordinary intelligence can earn money, but it takes a smart man to spend it wisely and make every dollar purchase one hundred cents worth of value. 2. Time is one of the most valuable assets possessed by man. It is the only possession of which he may not be robbed by (a.-) Benjamin R. Andrews in his book Economics of the House- hold.

190 IMPROVEMENT ERA another. To spend time wisely is to add measurably to man's money earning power. Thus it is wisely said that "time is money." If time is wisely used there is possible much enjoyment in life that one might not otherwise possess. The person always in a hurry is nearly always worried, harrassed, and consequently unhappy. A "time spend- thrift" is as guilty as a "money spendthrift." 3. What has been said of one's time may be applied to one's energy. It possesses a real money value and must be guarded as such. The body may be compared with a storage battery. One begins each day with so much power. If it is frittered away in unwise or unnecessary tasks one is "out" just that much when full power is needed for the day's real work. 4. The value of household labor should be understood and appreciated by all members of the family whether that labor is performed by father, mother, or children. Such labor has a real money value as may be understood if hired help were to be substituted for that done by members of the family. Suppose a housekeeper were hired to do only a part of the labor performed by every conscientious mother. Fifty dollars a month would be considered a minimum wage — yet every mother performs twice as much labor as would any hired housekeeper. So with other household tasks. Their performance is a valuable asset to the family in the production of life satisfactions and should be so considered. E. Preparation for the Future: 1 . No family is wisely filling its destiny that does not provide for the future care of its members when their earning powers may be cut off by illness, accident or old age. No money earner should be unprotected by some sort of insurance — with a preference being given to that kind which provides an annuity, or protection without risk after a certain age limit has been reached. Young people should be encouraged to join thrift or building societies so that a part of every month's income may be set aside as savings. This must not be done to the extent of handicapping the daily life of the family. Daily living may be so cramped as to be miserable that provision may be made "for a rainy day" which never comes. Wisdom must rule here. Thrift must be encouraged, but it means wise spending just as much as hoarding for the future. 2. Investments:, if wisely made, add security to the family income. This, too, requires great wisdom. Again, it is easy, comparatively, to make a dollar. But to make it work for you is quite another proposition. This phase of financial wisdom needs cultivation. The American attitude is expressed by the remark that "Jones is worth half a million." That would mean very little to the Englishman. He would say: "Jones has a yearly income of so many pounds or dollars." No man is safe till his money is wisely invested. Again it is easy to make money. But to make money do its full duty is a man-size job. Money is to be used to procure life satisfactions and to promote family usefulness as well as for the building of the Kingdom of God on earth; not to be hoarded and cherished to canker men's souls. One must never let money become the master of one's life.

THE HOME 191 III. Producer of the Money Income: 1. and 2. Whether the husband, should be the sole producer of the family money income or whether wife or even children may assist is a question to be decided by each in- dividual family. This much is certain: there must be a fair division of labor in family tasks — no member of the family should be permitted to carry more than his share. God has assigned to woman her life mission and nothing justifies her in shirking her responsibility as mother and conserver of the race. If she becomes a money earner at the expense of her motherhood she is out of the line of her duty. If circumstances permit or cause her to earn a cash income in addition to being a mother and home-maker then she may be justified. In such cases, the family division of labor should relieve her of many home tasks. The family integrity should never be sacrificed for the earning of extra money so that greater luxury may be enjoyed. So with the children. Their full preparation for life should never be interfered with. That they may earn money in addition to securing an education may be a wise procedure providing always that their health or their morals be not sacrificed to that end. When stern necessity demands that children become money earners, the relative or even the state should see that the child's future be not handicapped. IV. Business Partnership of Man and Wife: 1. Each family unit should, in the beginning of its history, draft a working plan of its financial operations. There should be a perfect understanding of the family assets and liabilities, of the means to be adopted foe running the family successfully, and each one's share in its operations should be fully understood and adjusted. Just as good management and intelligent cooperation are necessary for the running of a successful home. 2. The husband and wife are truly and surely working part- ners in the greatest of human occupations: that of making successful homes and giving future citizens their start in life. And unless there is a feeling of close cooperation between them regarding their financial dealings there cannot be real cooperation in other lines of home-making. They are in reality very close business partners and must respect each other as such. Marriage is the greatest Business Enterprise on earth; it has the most employees and gives the greatest net return in valuable dividends of happiness. But it is a business that must be "managed.'' It can't achieve successful fruition in all cases unless it is controlled by similar rules that spell Success in other enterprises. ' As in other lines, if it is mismanaged or neglected through ignorance, it will "go on the rocks." But if entered into with a full understand- ing of its God-given rights and privileges, family life will prove to be as it was intended, the "keynote of civilization." V. The Thought Exchange: A. Suggested Questions: 1 . Tn your opinion are young men and young women as well pre- pared as they should be to assume the responsibility of becoming the heads of families of their own? Give reasons. 2. Do you think that the average boy and girl understands the meaning of a dollar and its wise use. and why?

192 IMPROVEMENT ERA 3. Are the homes or the schools responsible for the existing lack of "money sense" of young people? If they are, give a remedy to improve conditions. 4. Tell what you know about the "school banks" instituted in many states — California, for instance. Would it be advisable to have them instituted here? (Note: Get your school teachers to obtain information on this point.) 5. Why do you think it is that divorces are so common in our day? Suggest a remedy. 6. Tell when you would begin and how you would train a child so that he will one day be prepared to run successfully the financial operations of a home. 7. Should a man be the . sole money earner in the family, and why ? Discuss this point. 8. What is your opinion of the value of the household labor performed by women in the home? Does a woman earn any part of the income if she devotes all her time to the family? Discuss. 9. What training should young people be given as to the best method of making investments to provide for their old age? Should not society provide some method whereby a man and woman who have given the best years of their lives to the upbuilding of the com- munity may be provided against pauperism or dependence upon relatives in old age. 10. What principles underlie success in any business enterprise? How may they all be applied to marriage? Discuss. 11. Discuss the importance of counsel and cooperation in family finances. VI. The Social Period Activity: Program provided by Committee: 1. Assignment announcements. 2. Closing Exercise. LESSON IX— THE FAMILY BUDGET I. The Lecture: Serene family relationships is the goal of the normal family. Upon satisfactory settlement of the question, What shall we do with our money? depends to a verv large extent, this serenity. Disputes, misunderstandings and heartaches over money matters are not uncommon. The haphazard, unbusiness-like manner in which the family expenditures are generally made, would bankrupt most business enterprises. The business of the household is no exception. Various plans for the use of the family income have been tried and found wanting. The "doling svstem" whereby the husband hands out a few dollars at irregular intervals, the amount depending not upon a careful estimate of the amount needed, but too often upon the wife's persuasive powers and upon her endurance. This money is spent very often without carefully weighing the needs of the family and without looking ahead. No record is kept of its expenditure and the next request for money is met with the question, "What did you do with the money I gave you last wc^: This plan is now obsolete and is met only occasionally in this enlightened age. The next method tried is the "allowance plan," whereby a definite amount of money is given to the wife to "run the house on." This pi. sn is a step in advance, but unless the amount is carefully arrived at by an analysis of the anticipated expenditures, it is a leap in the dark and will usually fall short of its mark. . . Another plan, the "joint checking account, while recognizing (be splendid principle of partnership between husband and wife, has led to much dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

THE HOME 193 The "family budget plan" is the successful solution of this importait phase of family life. What is a budget? A budget is a plan made in advance for the use of a given amount of money. A family budget is a detailed account of the total income and the anticipated family expenditures for a given time. There is a fundamental economic principle back of the budget plan and no matter whether it be the Federal Government, the state or the individual family, the application of this principle makes for successful business management. The budget plan is not a passing fad; it is not a new idea. The budget plan has been operative to a certain extent since the organization of the family. If the family group after arriving at the total income for the year carefully plans the expenditure of this money so that every dollar spent will yield a maximum return, the plan has been successfully made. I speak of the family budget. The successful working out of this family budget plan requires that it literally be made a family affair. The father, mother and children should sit down together and work out such a plan. How can any member of the family help to carry out a plan of which he knows nothing. The family budget offers the greatest opporturitv for sympathetic family cooperation. If each member of the family gets an idea of the countless demands upon the income, he will realize that in ordot to stretch the income to meet all these needs and desires, he will have to practice thrift as he has never practiced it before; he will be more unselfish than he has ever been before. The details of a family budget plan cannot be given in this article, but a general plan will be submitted with reference for further information. Having arrived at the total family income the next step is to agree on the general budget items or divisions. This classification will vary according to the income and to the individual family's standard of living. The traditional classification is as follows: shelter, food, clothing, house operations, and the miscellaneous items which include savings, investments, health, education, recreation, church and charities. In arriving at the amount to be set aside for each division an estimate must be made not only of the money required but an estimate of the quantity as well. Prices fluctuate from time to time, so the requirements in quantity are necessary and then the prices determined. The results will be a quantity and cost estimate. This estimated amount in each division, will con- stitute a tentative budget. I Such a budget will only become a permanent budget after a careful quantity and cost account of the family expenditures has been kept over a period of years. Even then there will be emmergency items that one can never forecast, so a savings account must be built up^ in order to be prepared for the inevitable "rainy day." A successful allocation of income to the various budget items requires thoughtful consideration and great vision. Present sacrifices must be made for future gains. We find one family whose ideal is "choice food at any cost," another group may be "dress minded" and will spend the major part of the income on dress, and still another group will get more satisfaction out of a good house well furnished " and will be willing to economize on all other budget items. Today the automobile holds the center of the stage. The family must have an automobile at any cost, all other items holding secondary place. There is no standardized budget that will fit all incomes and all family groups There is not such a thing as "standardized family living. Each family must analyze its needs and its desires in terms of its income. The adquate food requirements of the family are determined in quantity and according to the market price paid to the producer if the food is produced by the family, or in terms of the price one has to pay in the market if the food is purchased. This will constitute the food budget. Here the house- wife's knowledge of food values and of comparative food costs plays an

194 IMPROVEMENT ERA important role. As the income increases the actual amount spent for food increases, but the percentage decreases. Food costs include only the cost of the raw food materials; none of the costs of purchasing, preparation or serving are included. Clothing includes the purchase price of ready-made clothing or fabrics to be made up and the labor-cost of their making. It may also include the cost of upkeep such as cleaning, laundering and repairs, or these items may be charged to service or personal. House operations includes all expenses incurred in operating or running the house such as heat, light, cleansing agents, service, telephone, etc. House operations increase in direct proportion to the income, varying from ten to twenty percent of the income. The miscellaneous items of the budget are in no wise standardized and no estimate can be suggested for them. It is only possible to arrive at any notion of the amount spent in these divisions after careful accounts have been kept. Household accounting is a necessary foundation for the family budget plan. Household accounts make for a more enlightened satisfaction of human needs and for serene family relationships because they make for thrift in spending and they give a definite talking point when there is a difference of opinion as to what has been done with the money. Household accounts go far in getting the spender in the frame of mind "to get his money's worth." Bibliography — Economics of the Household, Andrews; Spending the Family Income, S. Agnes Dunham; The Household Budget, Leeds; The Business of the Household, C. W. Taber; Good Nutrition and Adequate Food Allowances for the Family- — New York Nutrition Council. Suggested: Household account hook, The Way Out, Paul L. Newmeyer; The Family's Money, July number of The American Magazine; Some More About House- hold Accounts, Dr. Jessica B. Peixotto; Resolved, That We Learn The Art Of Spending, Dr. Jessica B. Peixotto. II. The Thought Exchange: 1. Suggested questions and problems: (a) What constitutes an adequate food budget? (b) Why should tithing, taxes, and charity receive first consideration? (c) Why should women receive special training in order to measure up to their responsibility in the business of the household? (d) How much does a house wife add to 100 lbs, of flour by making it into good bread? (e) Why should we be trained for the responsible position of "The Family Purchasing Agent?" ff) A large percentage of the money spent for food is wasted. How? (g) Is it better to run "thirty day accounts" or pay cash for each purchase? Why? (h) How does the family budget plan make for thrift? 2. Problems and questions presented by members of the class: III. The Social Activity Period: Program arranged by Committee. IV. 1. Assignments, announcements. 2. Singing and benediction.