The remarkable thing about these budgets is the small amount left for food after all other necessaries have been paid for. When it comes to a pinch, food is the elastic item. Rent is occasionally not paid at all during a crisis, but the knowledge that it is mounting up, and that eventually it must be paid keeps these steady folk from that expedient save at the very last resource. A little less food all round, though a disagreeable experience, leaves no bill in shillings and pence to be paid afterwards. Down to a certain low minimum, therefore, food may sink before leaving the rent unpaid, or before pawning begins. That low minimum differs in different families. It is a question of the standard to which each has been accustomed, but that it is possible to be accustomed to an extraordinarily low standard these budgets amply prove. The following are a number of weekly budgets taken at random: Mr. A., whose house was visited from January, 1911, to February, 1912, was a railway-carriage washer, and was paid 18s. for a six days’ week, alternately with 21s. for a seven days’ week. His wife was a good manager, but was in delicate health. He was an extraordinarily good husband, and brought home to her his entire wage. There were three children born, and three alive. _A 21/0 Week._ s. d. Rent 7 0 Clothing club (for two weeks) 1 2 Burial insurance (for two weeks) 1 6 Coal and wood 1 7 Coke 0 3 Gas 0 10 Soap, soda 0 5 Matches 0 1 Blacklead, blacking 0 1 ----- 12 11 _Left for Food, 8/1._ s. d. 11 loaves 2 7 1 quartern flour 0 5½ Meat 1 10 Potatoes and greens 0 9½ ½ lb. butter 0 6 1 lb. jam 0 3 6 ozs. tea 0 6 2 lb. sugar 0 4 1 tin of milk 0 4 Cocoa 0 4 Suet 0 2 ------ 8 1 Average per head for food all round the family, 1s. 7½d. a week, or less than 3d. a day. But a working man cannot do on less than 6d. a day, or 3s. 6d. a week. This reduces the mother and children to 1s. 1¾d. a week, or less than 2d. a day. Mr. B., whose house was visited from July, 1911, till September, 1912, was a printer’s labourer, whose wages ranged between 20s. and 26s. a week. He usually allowed 20s. for household. There were six children born, and six alive. _November 23, 1911._