Foods and Household Management: A Textbook of the Household ArtsKinne, Helen
General
Foods and Household Management: A Textbook of the Household Arts
Kinne, Helen
Cooking; Food; Home economics
Almost every community now has a “white list” and a branch of the
Consumers’ League, the significance of which was explained in “Shelter and
Clothing,” p. 202.
=How to shop.=——Know the shops you patronize, first by personal
inspection, unless, of course, you are ordering from a distance.
Mail orders and the telephone are helps to the buyer. These should not
entirely take the place of personal visits to the shops, but, if well
used, save many weary hours. The parcel post makes possible buying by mail
even perishable articles direct from the producer. Many country dwellers
do a large part of their shopping even for clothing and furniture by mail,
and there are reputable firms who cater largely to this trade, and send
out well-illustrated price lists as guides. However, this method should be
used very cautiously, and it may be unsatisfactory for articles where the
æsthetic element is important, as well as the quality.
_Bargains, sales, and advertisements._——Here the buyer matches her wit
against the wiles of the seller. Bargain sales may be made up of sweat
shop goods. Many women ignorant of textile production, flock to the sales
of materials and garments, helping the storekeeper to dispose of silk
which is rotting on his shelves, or garments which have been poorly or
cheaply constructed and which go to pieces the first time laundered.
Remnants are often cut from materials on the regular shelves, and
sometimes are offered at an advance in price at the so-called bargain
sales. In reliable shops one can sometimes find bargains during clearance
sales. It pays to wait and buy out of season, as much can be saved in this
way. A “best” hat in January, or a white dress in August, may often be
purchased to advantage. In order to do this, one must plan the wardrobe
systematically.
_Trading stamps and prizes._——Remember that nothing is given away, and
that you pay for everything that you receive. It is well to deal with a
firm that sells standard goods at standard prices. A discount is sometimes
allowed for cash.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account