Need to save cash? Try some household economies from a time of war

In his new book, Cold Meat and How To Disguise It, Hunter Davies says that to survive in these straitened times we should follow the household economies of the Edwardians.

When war broke out in 1914, The Times was swamped with letters from readers either asking for or offering advice on what civilians could do to help. The letters were compiled into a series titled "How to be useful in wartime". Many of the suggestions - like don't starve your servants - seem ridiculous now, but there's a lot in there that could be worth a look. 

How to be useful in wartime: practical patriotism

We are receiving a constant stream of letters containing suggestions for personal conduct or useful action in the national emergency. We publish a selection below.

They vary, no doubt, in value. But they all reflect the intense interest and desire to help which animates the whole population, and they will, we hope, encourage the spirit of duty, unselfishness, restraint, and consideration for others which it behoves us all to cherish to the utmost.

First and foremost, keep your heads. Be calm. Go about your ordinary business quietly and soberly. Do not indulge in excitement or foolish demonstrations.

Secondly, think of others more than you are wont to do. Think of your duty to your neighbour. Think of the common weal.

Try to contribute your share by doing your duty in your own place and your own sphere. Be abstemious and economical. Avoid waste.

Do not store goods and create an artificial scarcity to the hurt of others. Remember that it is an act of mean and selfish cowardice.

Do not hoard gold. Let it circulate. Try to make things easier, not more difficult.

Remember those who are worse off than yourself. Pay punctually what you owe, especially to your poorest creditors, such as washerwomen and charwomen.

If you are an employer think of your employed. Give them work and wages as long as you can, and work short time rather than close down.

If you are employed remember the difficulties of your employer. Instead of dwelling on your own privations think of the infinitely worse state of those who live at the seat of war and are not only thrown out of work but deprived of all they possess.

Do what you can to cheer and encourage our soldiers. Gladly help any organization for their comfort and welfare. Explain to the young and the ignorant what war is, and why we have been forced to wage it.

Futher wisdom in these:

How to be useful in wartime: hints for housewives: Do not starve your family or your servants. Everyone needs all the strength possible. Give plenty of food, but plain 

How to be useful in wartime: patriotic women: The richer in the country should give seeds of turnips, winter onions, etc, to their poorer neighbours

How to be useful in wartime: aids to economy in food: Mistresses and above all cooks should learn the important place dripping takes in military cooking

Also in the Archive blog:

Ten ways to cut costs in the home

Death by plum pudding - Christmas Day in the workhouse

Want to explore 200 years of The Times Archive for yourself? Check out the Archive homepage or  subscribe here

Comments

[Austin Tassletine]

What about making a foot bath out of champagne which is what one of the wealthier denizens on London did when the ritz was bombed.

[DAVID VINTER]

You knew my grandfather had been hard up. His instructions at meal times were---" Clean that plate up"!

[Michael Knight,Phd Energy Conservation Policy]

America Wastes 70% of the Energy it Consumes. What hedonists we have become...

[j w]

Yes I agree wholeheartedly about the US wasting so much, I witnessed an American friend washing dishes etc with boiling hot water, all running down the plughole, then rinsing with cold water then putting them in the dishwasher for 120 minutes' cycles.

Extraordinary and very worrying.

[kezzer]

Re-use condoms........

[Annat]

Reading the suggestions, what strikes me is how much more people are considerate, kinder and altruistic back then.
In Southeast Asia, it is said the Japanese soldier purposely dipped the bread with red vehicle petrol/gas/diesel and the conquered people had to wash it out before the bread can be eaten as food is really scarce.

[allgiggles]

waste not want not.only buy whats needed. necessity over want.

[Mark]

A sign of the times perhaps. Recently, we finished watching the entire five season series Upstairs Downstairs from the 1970s on DVD, in order. There are many interesting parallels to be drawn to today about sharing, deprivation, political turmoil, etc., especially from the period WW1 to 1929 after the stock market crashed at the beginning of the Great Depression.

[Susanamerican]

Oh My...the person who saw the wasteful American washing her dishes 3 times MUST know that that person has some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder regarding dishes. We are not all like that, though there are too many of them who are. They put the rest of us in the shade.

[John Thompson - Canada]

All I ask is, just don't bring KLIM back ....