The basis of sound saving or spending is the account book, carefully
kept over an interval of time, allowing comparison between the outlay
and enjoyment as experienced at different periods. Such account books
are being urged by the extension departments of the state agricultural
colleges in co-operation with the Departments of Agriculture.
Most account books that have been so far devised are, however, quite
difficult and uninteresting, even for the American housewife,
demanding classifications of items which require too much time and
consideration. An account book on a weekly basis, providing very
simple divisions of the expenditures of the household, and giving
space also for the personal expenses of the various members of the
family, has been published by the Committee on Household Budgets of
the American Home Economics Association.[31]
These books could be easily issued in different languages and be made
available for the foreign-born housewife. She, like all housewives,
would be benefited by seeing what she is spending her money for. It
would lead to a definite planning of her expenditures. By this means
it could be suggested that things may have changed in value for her in
the new country. Old wants are replaced by new ones, and a new system
of saving and spending might be worked out.