Page:Advice to young ladies on their duties and conduct in life - Arthur - 1849.djvu/202

194 of living, and exercising economy in every thing, in the first few years of married life, when all expenditures for real wants are never large, enough may always be saved to meet the increasing demands of later years. The pleasure of spending money uselessly never compensates for its want, but rather imbitters the privations that such want entails. If the husband’s means of supporting the style in which he wishes to see his wife live, and in which he proposes that she shall live, are really insufficient, he cannot be wholly unaware of the fact, and will not feel inclined to oppose her strongly, if she voluntarily suggest that it may be better for them to assume a less expensive style. That she may have some distinct idea, in the outset, and before an error is committed, of how they ought to live, a young bride should always consult her parents on the subject. They know pretty nearly the extent of her husband’s income, how much he ought to spend, and what style it will be best for them to live in. Having this information, she will be able to act the part of a true wife, and wisely restrain her husband, if he should be disposed to run into extravagance, from beginning the world in a style of expenditure that cannot be long supported.

A little prudence and economy in the outset