The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
\.
WORKS PROGRESS ADMINISTRA TION
Division of Social Research
QUANTITY _BUDGETS
FOR BASIC MAINTENAN CE ANO
EMERGENC Y STANDARD S OF LIVING
Number 21
WO R K S
P R OG R E S S
HARRY
CORRINGTON
L.
HOPKINS,
GILL,
HOWARD
8.
A DM I N I S T R A T I O N
ADMINISTRATOR
ASSISTANT
ADMINISTRATOR
~YERS, DIRECTOR
DIVISION OF SOCIAL RESEARCH
R E S E ARC H
BUL L E T I
N
QUANT I TY BUGETS . OF GOODS AND SERVICES NECESSARY
FOR A BASIC MAINTENANCE STANDARD OF LIVING AND
FOR OPERATION UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
Prepared as Weights for Retail Prices Used in Ascertaining the
Cost of Living of Industrial, Service and
Other Manual Workers of ~all Means
Prepared by
Margaret Loomis Stecker
under the supervision of
Henry B. Arthur, Assistant Director
Division of Social Research
Washington
1936
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
PREFACE
This report embodies the results of a
study of low-cost family budgets for the
purpose of establishing representative goods
and services characteristic of the standard
of living of industrial, service and other
manual workers of small means. The items
of consumption by such families which it
contains, and the annual quantities of each
required, are designed as lists for pricing
and weighting the essentials of low-cost
living on a comparable basis from time to
time and place to place. Although the material in this monograph will be printed as a
part of the report on the cost of living in
59 cities, it is issued as a separate bulletin at this time, in response to numerous
requests for its early release.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
CONTENTS
Page
Part
I. Introduction........ .......................... .......
II. Standards and Prices................ .................
A. Quantity Budgets............... .................
B. Price Data.................. ....................
C. Quantities and Prices................. ..........
III. Standards........... .......................... .......
A. Food.................. ......................... .
B. Clothing, Clothing Upkeep and Personal Care .....
C. Housing.............. .......................... .
D. Household Operation............ .................
1. Fuel.................. .....................
2. Light and Operation of Small Household
Appliances.............. ....................
3. Ice.................... ....................
4. Household Supplies.............. ...........
5, Telephone, Postage, Writing Materials, etc.
6. Water................ ......................
7. Refuse Disposal.............. ..............
E. Furniture, Furnishings and Household Equipment ..
F. Medical Care.................. ..................
G. Transportation..... ........................... ..
H. School Attendance........... ....................
I. Recreation.......... ........................... .
1. Newspapers.......... .......................
2. Motion Picture Theatres............... .....
3. Organizations....... .......................
LL Tobacco, Toys, etc..................... ....
5. Radio................. .....................
J. Church and Other Contributions ..................
K. Life Insurance.. . ........................ .......
L. Taxes.................. ......... . ...............
IV. Conclusion.......... ........................ . . . . . . . . .
V. Select List of Family Budgets ........................
1
3
3
5
5
7
7
1~
28
30
30
33
36
38
38
38
39
40
46
49
51
52
52
52
53
53
53
54
54
54
55
57
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Page
I. Food Required per Year by Individuals of Specified
Sex, Age and Activity.............................
10
II. Clothing Required per Year by Individuals of Specified Sex, Age and Occupation, and Clothing Upkeep
Required per Year by Families of Specified Size...
17
III. Personal Care Required per Year by Individuals,
and Families o! Specified Size....................
26
IV. Fuel Required per Year in Four Different Climates.
32
V. Electricity Required per Month by Families of Specified Size... . ....................................
35
VI. Ice Required per Year in Four Different Climates..
37
VII. Household Supplies Re qui red per Year by Families
of Specified Size.................................
37
VIII. Allowance for Miscellaneous Items of Household Operation Required per Year by Families of Specified
Size... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
37
IX. Furniture ana Furnishings Required as Initial Equipment, and Replacement Cost per Year !or Families o!
Specified Size. . . . • . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . .
q2
X. Minimum Medical Services Required per Year per
1,000 Persons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
47
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS OF GOODS AND SERVICES NECESSARY
FOR A BASIC MAINTENANCE STANDARD OF LIVING AND
FOR OPERATION UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
I
INTRODUCTION
Questions regarding the standard and cost of living of any
particular population group are constantly occurring under a
variety of circumstances, and the answers are not always forthcoming because of the difficulties inherent in establishing
the standa~d, ascertaining its cost, and keeping both standard
and cost up to date.
The material in this bulletin is the result of an effort to
set up a technique for determining the cost of maintaining an
adequate standard of living at the lowest economic level, and
to establish quantity estimates of goods and services necessary
to maintain that standard, on the basis of which costs at an
identical standard in different localities may be compared.
Because of the economic situation prevailing during the period
within which this budget was constructed, an attempt was also
made to ascertain how cuts below this basic maintenance standard may be made under emergency conditions, with least harm to
individuals and the social group. While the approach to this
study has necessarily been from the standpoint of relief, the
resulting budgets are applicable generally, wit .h little or no
modification, to low-cost living in urban areas, and should be
of service in any field where information of this nature is required.
The budget content and other bases for computing costs are
set up with reference to the needs of individuals living in a
family group. These needs are related to the following persons:
male industrial , service or other manual worker of small means;
his wife who does all the work in the home, including cooking,
cleaning, laundry, etc.; children of both sexes, between the
ages of 2 and 15, inclusive. Individual requirements, in turn,
can be combined for family groups of any size and composition
within the limits set. No provision is made in the budget for
estimating costs for individuals who live apart from a family
group. Most items listed and their quantity weights are of
general application in urban areas throughout the country;
1
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
2
such special accommodations as are necessary result from differences in climatic or other local conditions, not from differences in standards of living or individual needs.
It should be pointed out that the goods and services included in the standard budgets andthequantities thereof specified in no sense constitute hard and fast requirements for
the maintenance of an adequate standard of living or for means
by which modifications should be made under economic pressure.
The content of living pictured is a well-balanced sample of the
items entering into normal consumption at the levels specified,
set down for the purpose of ascertaining their cost. The budget represents c"1rrent needs and makes no provision for saving,
except a small life insurance. In pricing, it would be assumed
that everything was purchased for cash, that is, no free services or gifts or home production are included, except that ordinary household services would be performed at home, not paid
for.
Quantity replacements require that no second-hand purchases be made. Most families will satisfy their needs with a
greater variety of goods and services than it is practical to
price; few, perhaps none, with incomes equivalent to the amounts
which will result from pricing the i terns listed will spend these
incomes in the manner outlined; many will find that through
fortunate circumstances, careful buying and household management, additional home production, such as gardening or dressmaking, a comparable standard may be maintained for less than
the ascertained cost.
Finally, it should be emphasized that there is nothing in
these budgets to indicate the source of the income from which
their cost is to be met. All that is intended for them and for
their use is to provide balanced lists of goods and services to
be priced as a basis for computing the cost of a basic maintenance standard of living and the cost of living under emergency condi tiorrs.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
II.
STANDARDS AND PRICES
For purposes of establishing the cost of any standard of
living , it is necessary to (al set up a quantity budget of the
goods and services required to maintain such a standard; (bl
ascertain the price of these goods and services; (c I combine
these prices with the quantity budget.
A.
Quantity Budgets
Two budgets have been constructed. The first represents a
basic family maintenance standard, such as would ordinarily be
applicable to small-income families under normal conditions;
the second is for an emergency standard, which may be necessary
under depression conditions. The first, and more liberal, budget contains minimum quantities of goods and services typical
of the simple requirements of persons of small means, and includes provision for psychological as well as physical needs.
The emergency budget is a direct concession to conditions produced by the depression, constructed in recognition of the
fact that there are circumstances under which families can
and do cut costs temporarily without great physical discomfort. Followed over a long period, the practices called for
in the emergency budget may prove harmful to both health and
morale.
The content of any family budget depends on the number, sex,
age and occupation of persons in the group; on differentiations
between rural and urban requirements; on conditions of climate,
race and, to a certain extent, on resources locally existing
for realizing the standard. The technique used here presents
the details from which budgets for families of any size and
composition may be constructed, providing the children are between the ages of 2 and 15, inclusive, and there are no very
old persons.
Only budgets for normal families have been considered, avoiding as far as possible those presenting unusual complications.
For example, families in which there is more than an average
amount of sickness, or for which special diets are required, or
in which there are boarders or lodgers, have not been considered in the make-up of the standard budgets.
The budgets are for families of industrial, service and
3
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
4
QUANTITY BUDGETS
other manual workers: men who weilr overalls at their jobs,
whose wives do llll the work in the home and whose social activities are simple.
The budgets are for urban dwellers and cannot be used without modification to portray standards and costs in rural areas.
Necessary adjustments for climate and peculiar local conditions
affecting consumption and cost among city filmilies may readily
be milde, however, from the basic data.
The sources used for the basic data in constructing these
budgets were numerous and varied. 1
Objective criteria of
food needs which have been developed through laboratory research were the basis of the food allowances.
No such exact
measurements are available for other requisites of family living. For these, studies of consumption and expenditures, and
the opinions of experts regarding the needs of low-income families of simple tastes, were consulted as well as authorities
on housing, medical care, fuel and light use, etc. The resulting budgets of goods and services required per year at the
levels of living specified are different in most respects from
all such lists hitherto ;:i.vailable and go further than most of
them in describing needs in terms of quantity use rather than
money expenditures. Materials for such adjustments as are desirable to meet peculiar local conditions are also included.
In a normal family some purchases are milde weekly, year in
and year out, such as food and certain household supplies;
other goods and services are purchased by the month, with a
fair degree of regularity, such as housing. The amount of
fuel, light and ice purchased, on the other hand., v;iries with
the seasons. Clothing also has its seasonality and replacements are not made every year; furniture, furnishings and
household equipment often last several years or a lifetime.
Certain expenditures are necessary only by chance, such as for
medical care and some, such as transportation, are peculiar to
each family. Budgets have been constructed on an annual basis
to take account of the seasonality factor, and the consumption
of those goods and services which are not replaced each year
are included as fractions. Reduction to a weekly or monthly
basis is made pro rata.
1 No b1b11ogra_phy ls included in this bulletin, owing to the ract that a
complete 11st or the more important sources or 1nrormat1on dealing with
the economics or ramlly 11v1ng 1s contained in Faith M. Williams and
Carie c. Zimmerman , •studies in Famlly Living in the United States and
Other countries: An Analysis or 11ater1a1 and Method.•
United States
Department or Agriculture, Miscellaneous Publication No. 223, Washington,
December 1935. See page 57 tor a 11st or the more important ram11Y budgets previously used in estimating the cost or 11v1ng.
Digitized by
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS AND PRICES
B,
5
Price Data
The quantity budget furnishes the list of goods and services entering into a specified standard of living, and the
number of each required within a given period of time, as a
week, a month, a year; in other words, the items and_ their consumption weights.
To ascertain what it costs to support a
given standard, prices for these goods and services must be
ascertained and combined with their consumption weights.
Collect ion of the price data requires a technique designed
to insure that the goods and services on which quotations are
-secured are those customarily purchased by families at the
standard specified. The quantities listed in the budgets are
based on use or replacement of an inexpensive but fair grade
of merchandise, priced in stores and neighborhoods in which
families of industrial, service and other manual workers of
small means usually buy. the type of housing and other services to be priced is that customarily used by these families
to the extent that they meet standard requirements. Cheap and
shoddy merchandise wi 11 necessitate more frequent replacement
of certain items:~ better grade may be expected to give longer wear. Since few families are always able to take advantage
of sale prices, such prices ordinarily would be avoided.
For pricing the bu~get in one locality as a whole, only the
city itself needs to be districted to select proper vendors;
for pricing in a number of cities or in different sections of
the same city to obtain comparative costs, it is necessary,
through the establishment of specifications and otherwise, to
insure that as nearly as possible identical goods and services
are included. Where it is desired to measure costs on the
basis of local consumption habits rather than by a fixei:t budget, adjustments in the lists will be necessary to adapt them
to different situations.
C,
Quantities and Prices
When the price quotations for such items as food and clothing are collected, they will be combined with the quantity
weights for the same items to obtain average cost for specified
types of families at the specified standards of living in the
localitie5 studied. Averages of quotations for each item, secured from all dealers, will first be found, to obtain the
average price of each item in the city as a whole. These average prices wi 11 then be combined with the consumption weight3
to get the total cost of maintaining the specified standard of
living for persons of specified age, sex and occupation. These
average costs for individuals will be combined finally into
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
6
family costs on the . basis of established family units.
This simple formula for cost calculation can be applied directly to food, clothing and certain other commodities. For
some goods and services, however, special methods of cost calculation are required, which are explained in later pages.
In localities where there is a sales or similar consumer I s
tax, the field of its operation must be ascertained and the
rate applied accordingly. Ordinarily it will be simpler, with
no significant loss of accuracy, to apply the rate to the total
annual cost uf major budget groups, allowirtg for certain exemptions, rather than to compute the tax on individual items,
because of the general use of a bracket system.
In all in-·
stances the amount of the sales tax should be shown separately
from the price, inasmuch as the tax in itself is an item in
the cost of living.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
II I.
STANDARDS
A.
Food
Food requirements of any family depend on the sex, age and
usual activity of its component members. Although knowledge
of nutrition is constantly in process of extension, human needs
for proteins, fats and carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, iron
and some of the vitamins have been determined with reasonable
accuracy, and foods which supply these essentials have been
ascertained. Hence, foods can be grouped according to their
nutritive values and the amount of each required by individuals
of specified sex, age and activity can be established.
The food budgets in Table I are based on the plans worked
out by the Bureau of Home Economics of the United States Department of Agriculture for suggested adequate diets at minimum cost, and restricted diets for emergency use. 1
The commodi ties included were selected from the list of low-cost foods
for which the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics collects
retail prices. The minimum low-cost adequate diets are believed to provide enough of the different nutrients to cover
average requirements for mainten~nce and growth and to furnish
a fair margin of safety as well. They constitute the maintenance budget. The restricted diets for emergency use provide
approximately the minimum requirements of the body for the
various nutrients and allow but little margin for safety. 2
They constitute the emergency budget, and are not recommended
for use over long periods.
From these lists giving annual consumption needs for individuals of specified sex, age and activity, combinations into
family unit needs can be made as required. Not everything
that a family would buy is included, but the budgets are representative and contain balanced groups of low-cost foods for
which substitutions of similar commodities at comparable cost
may be made as family taste or local circumstances dictate.
1 Hazel K. Stiebeling and Medora M. Ward , •Diets at Four Levels or Nutritive Content and Cost•, United States Department or Agriculture, Circular
No. 296, Washington, November 1933.
2 Ibid., page 4.
7
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
8
If families with children purchase their food in accordance
with these dietary plans, each food dollar will be spent approximately as follows: 1
Adequate Diet at Minimum Cost
About one-fourth for milk and
cheese 125 cents)
About one-fourth for fruits
and vegetables 125 centsl
About one-seventh for lean meat,
fish and eggs 115 cents)
About one-fifth for bread,
flour and cereals 120 cents)
About one-seventh for fats,
sugars and accessories
115 cents)
Restricted Diet for Emergency Use
About one-fifth for milk and
cheese 120 centsl
About one-fifth for fruits
and vegetables 120 cents)
About one-tenth for lean meat,
fish and eggs 110 cents)
Nearly one-third for bread,
flour and cereals 130 cents I
About one-fifth for fats,
sugars and accessor~es
120 cents)
The cost of food consumed by any family is dependent on the
items which are purchased, even within the different commodity
groups, and on factors which influence their price, such as
seasonality and quality, quantity purchased at one time, kind
of container, type of store from which purchases are made, market conditions or other factors making for "sale"prices. Present rood consumption habits do not conform to the nutrition
standards exemplified in these diet plans, and since the housewife will not always purchase the low-price items specified, a
satisfactory food allowance of necessity will be higher than
the amount for which theoretically it could be bought. An allowance added for unwise selection and for waste in purchasing,
preparing and serving food may be necessary to insure a diet
adequate from a nutritional standpoint. 2
1
Unlted States Department or Agriculture, Bureau or Home £cono1111cs and
Extension Service, •Oettlng the Most ror Your Food Money•, 1936 rev1s1on,
Washlngton.
2
Ir all stores 1n a gl ven nelghborhood are prl ced, including chain ana
lndependent, charge and delivery as well as cash and carry, the cost or
the rood budgets wlll be more aoequately measured than ir only lowest quotatlons are unl rormly secured.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARD'S
9
To the foods included in the budgets for the purpose of
meeting nutritional needs, must be added coffee, tea and other
accessories which are without food value. Quantity estimates
of annual tea and coffee consumption are included. In computing annual food costs, 1 percent of the total of aggregate
weighted prices of all itemized commodities is to be added as
the allowance for un-itemized accessories, in budgets for families of average size and compos1t1on. For larger families,
less would be required and for smaller families, more.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
10
I.
TA BLE
FOOD REOUI RED PER YEAR BY I ND IV IDUAL S CF SPECIFI ED SlX , ACf. AND ACTI VI TY "
MA I N TE NA NCE S T AND ARD
I TEM
f - - ~ - -~ --'8'-'0_Y_ A
~G£
=--UN IT
UNDE R
4
YEAA S
App roxima t e Ene r ~y Val ue Per Day ..... ..
Calori e 1393
~ -- ~ --i MOOER ATE -
4-6
7-8
YEAR S YEAR S
9 - 10
YE AR S
11 -1 2 13-1 5
YEAR S YEAR S
172B
2135
2436
2634
VERY
L Y ACT I VE
MAN
AC TI VE
MAN
3469
33AS
4660
FLOOl, CEREALS, BREAD I CROUP I • • • . • •• •• .
Lb.
80
120
175
195
200
Lb.
26
10
10
34
10
15
55
15
20
10
5
25
65
15
20
10
10
25
5
50
100
100
25
25
15
15
50
10
60
.?00
100
25
25
15
15
50
10
60
500
Wh ite F l our . . . . .. . .. . . ... . .. . •... . ..
182
182
Wh i t e Rread . . .. .... .. . . . . . . ... •. . . ..
Ry e Bread . .. . . . .. • . •.•. • . .... . • .. • ..
10
Who le I/heat 6read .. ... ... . • .... .. •. •
20
30
40
60
15
20
10
10
25
5
50
Qt.
-165
27 3
273
273
273
Fr~sh Mi lk . .. . .... . .... . ..... .. .. .. .
Can Evapo r at ed M, \kb.. .. . . .... .••. ..
Ot .
IH OZ·
181
78
Lb.
181
104
I
78
Ch ee sec . . . . ... . . . . . . . ... . ... .• .... ..
181
104
1
181
208
365
1B8
208
A
B
POTATOES ••.• . . . · • . . • ·· • · .. • · ·· • .. · • · · · ·
Lb.
11 0
125
14 0
14 0
160
160
JOO
9R IE9 BEAN5, PEAS, NUTS I CROUP I . .• , .. ••
Lb .
8
18
20
30
40
Nd vy Beans . . ..... . ..... .. . ... . ... . . •
Lb .
3
6
6
25
9
10
1
3
4
4
7
15
12
13
50
20
12
18
50
22
22
Co r n Mea I .. . .. . .. ...... . . • . . • . • . . •. .
Ro l led Oa t s .. . . ... . ... •• • • . •. • . . ... .
R, ce . . .... .. . , ... ... . .. . . .... ... . .. .
Maca r on 1 •••
6
••• • •• • • ••• • • • •• • • • • • •• • •
l,I ILK OR ITS EQUIVALE NT I C,ROUPI ••... • . . •
5
1ee
100
Peas . .. . . .. . ... . . .. .. . .. . . . . .... .. , .
Peanu t Butt er ... . . . . . . . .. . .. .. .... . ,
TCUATOE S, CI TR~ FRUI TS IGROJP I . . . . • •••
C~n Touiat oe s . . .. . . ... ... . . .... . , . . .
Or angese . .. . . . . ........... . .. . ..... .
LE AFY . GREEN ANOYELLOII VEGETABLES ICROUPI
Ca bbage ...... .. ... . ........ . . . .. . .. .
5
20
10
12
13
50
50
f2
Doz .
22
6
22
22
22
22
6
22
6
6
6
6
6
6
Lb .
60
60
90
100
100
75
75
Lb.
'2
10
15
A
26
26
17
22
22
12
25
26
16
25
12
13
13
12
30
8
.50
24
17
15
2
20
30
17
130
25
6
15
14
90
25
B
15
Head
9P IE9 FRUITS I GROUP I ... . , . . ..... , •.•• .•
lb .
3
5
12
Pr unes . . . ... . ... . .... . . . . ... . . . . • . . •
Lb.
3
5
10
2
OTrl[P VEC£TABLES , FRUITS I GROUP I .. .. . ..
Lb .
40
Lb .
Doz.
Lb.
42
lo
60
~~~~=~ti: ::::::::::::: :::: ::::::::::
25
II
22
I
2
4
4
5
9
6
13
8
8
12
25
13
4
13
26
8
Ra 1s 1ns . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . .. .. .. . . . . • ...
FATS I GROUP I . . . . . . . . • .. . . • • ..• . . . •.. • . .
Lb .
but ter . . . . ..... . . . . . . .. ...•. • .• , . • . .
Lb.
6
5
!;aeon . . . . , .• .. •.. • . . , . . .. • .. • . • . . • . .
5dlt Po r k .. ...... . . . .. . . . . .. .... . • ..
Ld r d .... . .... • .... .• .. . . . ..• • •. . . • ..
8
1
12
25
26
16
6
?,
26
30
26
20
17
100
1 00
100
25
25
8
e
20
20
20
20
25
8
20
20
Lb .
24 o z.
18 oz .
12
40
6.5
6.5
8.5
16
10
2
20
12
32
12
8
32
12
6
6
39
15
10
8
13
3
)
5
5
12
25
,o
50
3~
10!
I
I
21½
33
41.\
30
I
I
LEAN W:AT , F ISH , POULTR Y IC,ROUPI .••.• •.
lb .
10
Can P ink Sal mon ....... . .. . . ... . . ... .
Lb .
2
1
Plat e Beef . .. . . .. .. . .. . . . . .. . . ... . . .
Chuck Beef ... •. . . ... . • . .• .• .. . . •. .• .
Brea st of Lamb ..... . .. .. .. •.. • .. . . . .
5
P1cn 1c liain. .. .. ... .. . • .. , . . . . ... . . . .
0oz .
20
20
65
2
5
2
5
5
6
6
70
6
75
6
100
6
10
20
10
20
12
25
4
4
45
6
55
6
5
15
[7
54,
10
2
10
3
3
16
22
JO
4
35
50
20
17
17
15
12
12
Lb .
~~~!~~~;~k::: :: ::::::::: :::::::: :::
i n i ta lic s refer t o annua l
e
60
51';
5
FOCI) ACCESSO? IE5
Figu res
9
3
7
u,.
4
12
3
16
50
IJ
13
OleOfT\ar uar 1ne . . . . .. . . . . • . • .. .. • . . . . .
No te :
91
52
14;
50
Le t t uce9. , . . . .... . ... . .. . • . . . . . , . • ..
Tea .. .... . . ... . . • . . • .. . . . ....•. .. .. .
78
9
Lb .
EGGS •. . .•..... . •.. .. .••••. .. .• .•• ...• • •
26
50
5 p , nach .. . ...... . ... .. .. •• . .. ••. • , ..
Granulated Sugar ... . .. . , . .. . . . .... . .
96
50
10
4
13
26
8
Can Cor n Sy r up 1 • • • •• •• • • ••• •• • ••• •• •
Can MolassesJ . .. . .... .. . . ..... ..... .
44
30
20
50
Bunch
SUGARS I GIOUP I . ..•••• . . ... • ..... .•.• • . .
JO
Lb .
Can Str 1119 Bea ns1 . . .. . . ...... .. . . . . .
Carr ot s f .... . .. . . .. . .. . ..•... . . . • ...
On , ons . ... . .. . . .• ........•. . .. . .. . ..
Can Cor nd ... .. . .. , .. ... . . • . .• ... . • . .
91
52
14½
176
6,
26
7
6,
26
re qui rements f o r f oo d groups .
The footnot e s cont a i n s t andard eq 1..i valent we i g ht s and mea su res .
See p~ge
14 .
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
TABLE I. -
11
{Continued)
MAINTENANCE ST ANOARO
GIRL AGE-
UNIT
UN IT
Approximate Energy Value Per Day •.• .• • ••
FLOUR, CEREALS, BREAD {GROUP I . .. ........
White Flour •• • • • • •• • .•••• •. •• ••• . •• • .
Corn Meal . • . . • •••••.. . ••. .• •• • •• •• . • •
Rolled Oats • .• •• .. ••• ..• •. • •••.• .••• .
Rice .. . ..... ....... . ..... ,•.•• • • •• • ••
UNDER
4-7
lo()0ERATELY ACT IVE
VERY
ACTIVE
YEARS
.,........
2436
2634
?634
3469
175
195
'JOO
65
50
15
10
10
25
5
50
200
65
20
15
10
10
25
5
50
300
60
15
20
10
10
25
5
YEARS
8-10
YEARS
YEARS
1393
1728
2135
Lb.
80
Lb .
26
10
10
120
34
10
15
6
alorie
OVER
13
.OMAN
•
YEARS
11- 13
20
30
55
15
20
10
5
25
5
40
MILK OR ITS EQUIVALENT {GROUP I .... . .....
Ot.
Fresh 'Ai lk . .. ••••••• • • . ... .•.• . • • • •••
Qt.
Can Evaoon.ted Mi )kb . •• •..• . • . • . • . ••• 14,! oz.
Cheese' • • • •• •.•••• •• .• •. . •.•.. . • •• • ••
Lo.
365
365
273
273
273
273
273
188
208
188
208
181
104
1
181
104
1
181
78
8
181
78
8
181
78
8
POTATOES . • . •• . • • • .. • •. ••••• . .. . •• . .• .•• •
Lb.
100
110
125
140
140
140
160
DRIED BEANS, PEAS, NUTS {GROUP) . ... ...• .
Lb .
8
18
20
25
25
Nav y Beans ....• . •. .. .. . . .... .... .. . , .
Lb .
3
1
6
3
9
6
9
9
:xJ
10
4
4
4
10
12
12
7
13
~acaroni . .. .. . . .... .. .. ... . .. . . . .. .. ,
Wh i te Dread ••• •• . • • •• •• ••• . •••••• •.• •
Rye Bread . .•.•• • •. . •• • • ••• . •••••• •.••
Whole Wheat Bread •••• . . •. • •••. . •..• •,
5
10
20
Peas ... . . . . . ..... . ... . . .. .. . . .... . .. .
Peanut Out ter . ... .... .. ... .... . ... .. .
TOMATOES, CITRUS FRUITS (GROUP) • • .•• • •••
Can TO'llatoesd . ..••.•. .•. . . .. .. •.... • •
Orange se.. . ..... . . ... . . .... .. ... . ....
LEAFY , GREEN ANO YELLOWVEGETABLES (GROUP)
Cabbage .• ••. .• •••• .• •. . ..•• • . • .... .•.
Can Str~n g Oeansd . . ... . ........... .. .
Carrot s .. . ... .. . ... . ... .. . . ... . . ... .
Soinach . . ... . .. . ....... . .. .. . ... .. ...
Let tuce9 •• • •• • •. •..••• . • •.•••••••.• . .
DRIED FRUITS {GROUP), • A oo • • • , • • • , • • • • • • •
Prunes ..... . ..... . .... • .. • •• ••• ··· · · ·
Ra isi ns . . ............ .... . . .......•. .
OTHER VEGETABLES, FRUITS {GROUP) • . .• . • ••
~~~~~:~i,: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Onions . .. . ... . .. ... . .. .. • . . , .. . . . ,., •
Can Cornd . •...•.. ..• . .. ... • .. . .. • •.• .
FATS {GROUP I ... . ... . ....... . . . .. ..... .. .
Butter ••...•. . • • • ••• ..••. . •• . •. .•. • ••
Bacon ..•..•. • ... • • .• •• • . •.•. . •.• . ....
Sa lt Pork •• •• .. • . • . .•.. • ..• •• • •••••••
Lard .... ..... .......... . . . .•. . , . . ... .
01 eoma.rgar i oe .. .. . . ........ . .... . .•..
100
25
25
15
15
50
10
60
Lb.
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
12
22
22
27
22
6
6
22
6
22
6
22
6
Doz .
e
6
L~ .
60
60
90
100
100
100
75
Lb.
•2
Sunch
lo.
Head
10
10
22
12
?5
26
16
22
12
48
25
1€
8
18
12
16
30
8
13
26
8
15
9
26
26
17
4
I'
26
8
26
13
13
12
Lb.
3
5
12
17
20
20
30
Lb.
3
5
10
2
15
2
17
3
17
3
26
LD .
25
,o
60
80
90
90
100
Lb.
Doz .
Lb.
11
I
16
22
25
25
2
8
8
4
5
9
6
15
16
IS
16
25
8
20
12
4
13
8
25
6
15
14
20
Lb.
8
12
25
J2
,o
65
6
13
5
8
1
3
16
10
2
40
17
12
3
5
3
5
12
25
35
31r
1
1
lOlr
I
1
2H
2
2
29 il
:xJ
Lb.
SUGARS {GROUP) • ••• •. ••••••••.•••••• . • •••
Lb.
Granulated Sug~r . .... .. . .. . . . ... . . . ..
Lb.
1
Can Corn Syryo • ••• • • • • • • • • • • ••• • • • • • 24 oz.
Can •Ao l assesJ . .. . .. . . . . . ... .. . . ...... 18 oz .
LEAN '.lEAT , FISH, POULTRY {GROUP) ••.••• ••
Can Pi nk Salmon • . •.•• . • •• ••• • ••.• ••• •
Plate Beef. ..• • • ••••• . • ••• • •• .. •.••••
Chuck Beef. • .••• . •.••.••.•• . ••• ..• • • •
Breast of La,nb . . .. ...... .......... . ..
Picnic H,.,, • . ••• • •. • • • .••••• • ••.• •••••
Lb .
10
Lb .
2
1
5
EGGS • •.• •• • •• . • •••• • •••• • •• . •••••• • ••• . •
Cl,z.
FOOD ACCE SSOR I ES
Tea ••• . ••••••.•• . • •••.••..•• ... ••••••
Coffee •••• •.•. •• •••.•••• . •••• . •• . ••••
Condiments" .. .. ..... ... .. .... .. ... . . .
20
Lb.
20
20
17
10
3
5
5
32
12
8
5
40
33
40
33
4
50
4U
5
5
55
55
70
10
2
10
45
6
5
15
3
16
6
7
17
3
22
6
7
17
3
22
6
10
20
4
30
20
17
17
I7
15
6,!
26
6i
26
4
3
3
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
12
TABLE
I.- !Continued)
EMERGENCY ST ANDARD
BOY AGE-
ITEM
UNIT
MOOEAA rE1--~--~----~-~-----<
UNDER
1- 0
c,..,o 11-12 n-15 LY ACTIVE
4- 6
4
YEARS
YEARS
1085
1564
1995
2205
100
160
200
30
10
10
45
15
20
10
60
225
65
YEARS
Approximate Ene rgy Va lue Pe r Day .. .. .... Calorie
FLOUR, CEREA LS , BREAD IGROUP) ..••..••..•
Wh it e Flour ...••.•.•.....• . . . . • •• ••. •
Co rn Mea I ..•••...•.. .• ••.....••••..•.
Rolled Oats .......•.••••.•.. . .•.. • .•.
Lb.
Lb.
YEARS
2335
;127
302 1
4286
225
65
325
105
325
105
25
25
10
10
30
30
10
20
30
30
10
20
525
192
40
44
24
25
35
10
45
60
60
104
10
10
18
60
60
78
182
91
51
32
51
32
YEARS
MAN
5
5
5
20
30
35
20
35
40
25
25
10
10
35
10
45
QI.
Ml LK OR ITS EQUIVALENT !GROUP) •....••. . .
Qt.
Fresh Milk • .•..•.........• •• ....•••..
Can Evaporated Mi I kb •. . ..•.. • ....•.•. 14, CZ.
Lb.
Cheesec . .............. . . .•..... . . ....
182
95
102
182
95
102
182
92
102
182
92
102
182
90
78
1
1
8
8
POTATOES ... . ....•...• . • • •....•. • ... • •• •.
Lb.
100
11 0
125
140
140
160
160
300
DRIED BEANS, PEAS, NUTS !:;ROUP)... . ... . .
Navy Beans .......... ,........... ... . .
Peas .....•........... . ,.••••••••·•···
Peanut Butte r .... ............. . .•.. . .
Lb.
Lb.
8
18
25
30
40
50
3
6
20
6
9
10
15
1
3
4
10
7
13
12
13
20
12
9
4
12
18
TOMATOES , C ITRUa FRUIT S !GROUP) ...• . • . ..
Can Tomatoc s . ..•. . . . .....• . •.•...•••
Orangese . ... . .. .......... ........... .
Lb.
50
50
50
50
50
so
50
•2
22
22 •
22
22
6
22
6
22
6
5
Rice .. . ... . . . ... . ..... . .•....•..•....
Ma caroni .......... _... .. . . ..... . ..... .
White Bread ........ .. .. .... ... .... . . .
Rye Bread ..............•...•..•••• • ••
Who I e Wheat Bre ad .........•..... . ...•
25
20
10
YEARS
VERY
ACTIVE
MA N
5
90
78
4
22
50
22
6
6
6
6
Lb.
Lb.
30
30
45
so
50
,o
,o
5
13
13
4
13
2
Bunch
Lb.
Head
7
12½
5
2
7
8
12
12½
4
DR I ED FRUITS !GROU P) . ... . .• .••• •. .•.•.• .
lb.
Prunes . .......... . ......... .. . . . .... .
Lb.
LEAFY, GREEN AND YELLOII VEGET ABLES (GROUP)
Cabbage •• .••• • .........•..•.. •. ••...•
Can St ring Beansd • .•.. •• •.••..•.• • ..•
Car rots ...... . . . ....... .. . ... ...... .
Spinach .. . . . ..... ..... . ......... . •...
Lettuc e9 ... •.• . •.....•••.••• • •••..•••
Doz.
~~!~!~i,::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::
~~o~~~~C(: ·.:: ~:: ·. ::::: :::: ·.: ·.::::: ·. ·.
Lb.
Lb.
Doz.
Lb.
Lb.
Lb .
Sl,GARS (GROUP) . . ..•....••• • ••••••••..•••
Gra nulated Sug~ r .....•• • • . ..•• . •••...
Can Co rn Sy ryp 1 •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
c~n Molasses! .... .•....• . .....••... ..
Lb.
Lb.
24 oz.
18 oz.
LEAN MEAT, FISH, POULTRY !GROUP) . .•.• ••.
Can Pink Sa lmon........ .. ............
Pl ate Beef. •••.•.• .. •. ..•... .•.•• .•• • .
Chuck Beef ... .• •....•.•.. .... . . .. • .•.
Brea st of Lamb ....•.. . .••..•.......•.
Picnic Ham . ... . ... .. •. ...• ... . . •... ..
Lb.
Lb.
EGGS... .... ......... . ...... . ... . ........
Doz.
FOOO ACCESSORIES
Tea............... .. ...... .. . ... . ... .
Co ffee •.•..•.•..•.•. • •.•••..•••......
Cond imentsk .......... . . .. ....•.... . ..
4
4
13
14
13
14
13
13
13
4
14
6
6
4
7
7
3
7
3
3
6
15
11
15
10
3
8
6
10
3
11
2
3
7
3
12
20
30
,o
5
1
5
2
10
2
16
2
2
5
2
5
6
20
.10
10
15
8
13
10
5
5
1
7
so
9
6
45
15
3
10
7
30
15
13
35
17
13
1
1
15
4
10
50
15
4
10
8
55
55
20
13
20
13
3
8
2
6
8
6
8
75
30
13
11
9
12
20
30
40
45
6h
65
70
18!
1
1
26½
34 i
38
50
2
2
3
4
9
8
50
14
5
15
1
22
3
5
7
1
28
2
8
1
3
6
10
10
10
10
so
15
4
8
1
1
1
1
1
4
10
8
8
Lb.
25
13
13
4
12
FAT S (GROU P) .•.. •.• •.• •.•.• • . ••••. . ••. . .
But ter ......... .. .. . • .... . . . ..•..•. . .
Bacon .. ... ... ..... • ...... • ..•........
Salt Pork ...... . .•....... . .• . . ... ....
Lard . ... ... .. ..... .. ...•. . ..• •• .••.••
OleQITla rga ri ne . ... , ......... •..•......
6
4
Raisins ..........................•...
OTHER VEGETABLE S, FRUIT S {GROUP) . . . •.•..
91
3
8
80
60
14
8
8
50
35
40
3
3
3
6
7
6
6
7
8
13
2
2
15
10
3
18
24
7j
6
6
6½
26
6½
26
3
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
13
TABLE 1,- (Cont i nued)
EMERGENCY ST AN OARD
GtR:L AGEITEM
App r ox i 1T0te Energy Va lue
UN IT
Per Day . . .•• ..• Calo r- 1e
UNDER
•
YEARS
4-7
YEARS
a-,o
YEARS
I
""1OOER ATEI 1- 13
YEARS
I
'
VERY
LY ACT I VE ACT I VE
WOMAN
WOMA N
◊V ER
IJ
YEARS
1085
1564
1995
2205
2335
2335
312 7
FLOUR , CEREALS, BREAD (GROUP) ••• . ••.••••
Lb.
100
160
200
225
225
225
325
Whi te Flour . . . . . . ..... ........ ... ... .
Lb.
30
10
10
5
5
20
45
15
20
10
5
30
35
65
25
25
10
10
35
10
45
65
25
25
10
10
35
10
45
65
20
60
25
20
10
5
35
5
40
105
10
30
10
20
60
10
60
Co rn Meal ••. •• • ..•. •• • •.••.••• • .•. . •.
Roi led Oats ..•. ••••• ... .• ..•.••••• . •.
Rice ........ ... . . .. . ...•. . .. • .. • .....
Ma caroni .... ....•. . . . .. . .. .•. .. ......
Nhite gread .••• .. . • . . . .•..• •... . . . •• .
Rye ~read • . •....•••• • . ••• . ..• • •••. . •.
Who l e Wheat Bread ..... . . .. ... .. •.... .
25
25
10
10
35
10
45
141 LK OR ITS EQUI VALE ~T (GROUP) ..... • ... .
Qt.
Fresh Mi I k .. . . ......... . ..... . . . • •...
Qt.
C, n Ev~Po r::,,ted Mi I kb ••....... . •. . .... 14 ! oz.
Chee sec ..... .. . .•. . ..•. . .. • . .•..•... .
Lb .
1P2
182
182
182
182
91
91
95
102
95
102
92
102
92
102
1
90
76
8
51
32
51
32
POHTOC S• ... • .••• ... • . . . . . .... . . ... . •...
Lb .
100
11 0
125
14 0
14 0
14 0
160
DRIED 3EANS, PEAS, NUT~ (GROU P) ....• . . •.
Lb.
8
18
20
30
Lb .
3
6
3
9
6
4
10
25
9
4
25
Navy Beans •. .... .. . . . . ...... ....... ..
9
10
4
7
12
12
13
Pe 3s . . .. ....... ..... . . . ... . . .. . . . .. •.
Pe3nut 9ut ter . ........... . ..... . . . . . .
TOMATOCS, CITRUS FRUITS (GROU P) .. . •..• ..
Can Tonatoesd • ...... •• . •...... . .... . .
Orang e se . ... .............. .. . . ... . . . .
LEAFY, GREE~ AND YELLON VEGETA9LES (GROU P)
Cabbage •.... . • ... ••.••••• .• •....•.••.
Lb .
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
f2
Doz .
22
6
22
6
22
6
22
6
22
6
22
6
22
6
LO.
30
.10
50
50
5
5
2
1
12,
;5
B
50
Lb .
13
13
13
4
13
14
1
4
4
4
13
14
1
13
14
1
13
14
1
6
8
IO
10
6
2
1
3
1
3
f2
C3n Str i ng Beansd . . .. ... .. . ... . . .. . ..
Cilrrotsf .. .. , ... ... . .... . .... ... . . . ..
Sp i nach .... ... . . .. ......... ..... .• ...
9unch
Lb.
7
12,
Lett uce9 • ...... ... .. . •• . . •. •.• ..•... .
Head
4
DR IED Fqu,Ts (GROUP) . .. . . . .......... . ...
Lb .
Prunes ... . ... ..... . ....... ...•. . •.. . .
Ra is i ns .......... . .......... .. .......
Lb.
.1
3
OTHER VEGE TABLES, FRUI rs (GROUP) . . •...• .
~:~~f.:::::::::::::::::·.:::::::::::
4
3
3
Lb.
12
20
30
,o
;5
l5
50
5
1
2
5
2
5
10
2
5
6
16
2
9
6
15
3
10
1
15
3
10
1
10
8
Lb .
FA TS (GROIIP) ..... . .. . .. ....... . .. . . .....
Lb.
IO
20
30
30
35
35
Butter ... ... .. . . . ....•. . ... . ... .. .. ..
Bacon . ... ... . .. ... .. ... .. ......... ...
Lb.
5
5
10
8
15
13
1
1
15
13
1
1
17
10
3
2
3
17
10
3
2
3
Lb .
Lb.
,2
Salt Pork .. .•..•...• ...•• ••• . • ..•• • . .
lnrd • . • •• • • ..•• .. • •. ••. • . . • .• •.•• . . . .
Oleomargar ine . . . . ...... .... . . . . .•. . ..
Granul a t ed Sug~r . .. ...• .. . .. . . .. . . . ..
Ca n Co rn Sy r~p' . ..... .. . . .. . . . . . . . ...
Can V.Olr1sses J. . .. . . .............. . .. .
LEAN MEAT , FI SH , A'.JULTRY (GROUP) •... •.•.
Can Pink Salmon ....... ...... . ..... . ..
Plate Beef . • • ..•.•• • • . . • . ••. • . . ... • ..
Chuck 9eef. .... •• . •••. •. • •.• •.•.••• • .
Brea st of Lamb . .... . ..... . .. ....... ..
15
4
55
20
13
8
6
8
8
20
30
,o
;5
;5
65
64
18!
1
1
26½
2
2
34~
3
3
38
4
4
38
24 oz.
18 oz.
4
50
9
8
Lb.
5
15
22
28
28
35
Lb .
1
1
2
8
1
3
3
5
1
1
6
3
6
1
2
10
3
6
7
2
10
3
1
8
2
15
10
10
Pi c n ic Ham . .•....• . ••.•• . •.• • . •. .. •..
EGGS .. .. ... ...... ........ , ••• •· ·· · · · .. . .
15
11
Lb .
Doz.
On i ons .. . ... . ... . .... . . .. . ..• ..• ... . .
Ca n Cornd . . .. ... • . . . .. .. . .. . .• . . .....
Sl.GARS (GROU P) . . .•.....•• • ••• . •. . •• • • . . .
,o
13
4
13
6
Doz .
10
8½
4
8½
Bi
H
6½
26
6½
26
FOOO ACCESSORIES
Tea . . . . ... . . . .. . ........ .... .. . .. . . ..
~~~~:;_~;~k:: ·.:::::::·.:::::::::::::::
Lb.
-
I
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
TABLE I. - {Continue d)
Foo tnote s
a
An
itemization of Hazel K.
17
oz.
Stiebel ing
and
Medora M. Ward ,
"Diets
at
r=our Levels
of
Nutritive Content
l a r No . 296, Washington , O. C., November 1933,
and Cost " , United Sta tes Department of Agriculture , Circu
11
at min i mum cost" ; the emergency standard is repp . 14-19 . The ma i ntenance standard is "adequate diet
chosen from the low-cost c:onvnoditie s for which
stricted diet for emergency use . " The foods I isled were
retail prices .
the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics coll-,cts
evaporated ml lk equal
5 o z . cheese equal
I qt.
flu id milk .
I qt.
d
One 12 can con\. ains t .25 lbs.
e
One doz. oranges weighs 3,75 lbs.
I
One bunch carrots weighs
One head
flu i d milk ,
Ib.
lettuce weighs from 1/2 to
I
lb. ;
calculation s assume approximat ely 3/A
lb.
average .
One doz . bana nas we i ghs 3 . 75 1bs.
I
lb .
s ugar .
3/4
lb .
sugar.
24 oz. corn syrup equal
18 oz . molasses equal
food b1,1dget
One percent of the cost of the total family it emized
soda, etc .
pe p per, mustard , vin egar , sp ic es, baking powder,
is added to provide for salt,
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
15
STANDARDS
B.
Clothing , Clothing Upkeep and Personal Care
The kind and quantity o! clothing required by any !amily is
determined with reference to the needs o! its individual members. Clothing costs for families of any size and compo$ition
are computed by adding together these separate costs. Requirements for certain items o! clothing upkeep and personal care,
however, are calculated on a !amily basis, and quantities and
costs depend on the number, sex and age composition of the
!amily group.
Inasmuch as the budgets are for a standard o! living represented by the family of an industrial, service or other manual
worker of small means, social requirements are simple and hard
wear on dress clothes is avoided through use of specialized
work garments.
The allowance in all instances is for purchase of clothing
ready-made, as contrasted with the provision for home-making
of many articles. A number of items can probably be bought as
cheaply ready-made as the materials, and will yield an equivalent service. For those which cannot, the differential is
warranted when it is considered that the budget calls for the
woman in the family to do all the housework, cooking, laundry,
mending, etc. Where there are several children and th~ man is
engaged in manual employment, the laundry work is heavy. Moreover, minimum-cost food budgets permit no purchase of readycooked food except bread, and require many dishes in the preparation of which time is an element. A certain amount of remodeling of garments and remaking of clothing for the children may
be necessary, but dressmaking as such is not contemplated. No
sewing machine is included in the household equipment.
The standard of quality is an inexpensive but fair grade of
merchandise such as is usually purchased by wage earners. This
standard is the same in both budgets, but replacements are less
frequent at the emergency than at the maintenance level, resulting necessarily in a greater degree of shabbiness in the
former than in the latter. Fo:r children, however, replacements are required regardless of standard, because of the size
factor. Wherethere are several children of the same sex, garments may be handed down, but th is cannot be counted on. Remodeling and home-making of certain garments may cut clothing
costs by a small percentage, as may also purchase at sale or
mark-down prices.
It should be understood that these lists do not constitute
hard and fast rules as to what individuals should buy, but
they do meet representative needs.
The inclusion of certain
garments was dittated by the fact that some families may consider them necessities, even though they are not universally
worn. Whatever small additional cost provision of these articles may entail will readily be absorbed by purchase of
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
16
QUANTITY BUDGETS
garments individually considered more essential. Variations
in clothing requirements on the basis of climatic conditions
for the most part will be taken care of by shifts in replacement weights and not by changes in specifications for the garments themselves. Where substitutions are necessary to meet
the local situation, the budgets will be suggestive of how
these are to be made. Any regrouping or substitution of items
to serve the same purpose will probably result in very little
difference in cost.
Replacements represent average duration of wear of the merchandise specified when purchased new.
Fractional replacements indicate that more than one year of wear is expected,
in the ratios shown. They also will differ from person to person among any group of individuals, but differences in total
cost are likely not to be great. Changes in specifications
which affect probable durability will necessitate changes in
qoantity weights. Fora few commodities which may be purchased
in chain stores throughout the country at approximately identical prices, fixed prices have been entered to indicate quality
as well as cost.
Table II itemizes representative annual needs for clothing
and clothing upkeep for individuals of _both sexes, adults and
children between the ages of 2 and 15, inclusive, and for
clothing upkeep for families of specified size at a maintenance
and at an emergency standard of living.
In sections l-8 of
the table certain items of clothing upkeep are entered below
the totals for clothing, and their costs are not to be included
in these totals. Rather, they are to be transferred, as indicated, and added at the appropriate place in section 9.
Table III lists comparable budgets for personal care.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
17
STANDARDS
HBLE ii. CLO™ING REQUIRED P£R YEAR BY INDIVIDUALS r:F SP£CIFIED SEX, AGE AND OCCUPATION ,
AND CLOTHING UPKEEP REQUIRED PER YEAR BY FAMILIES r:F SPECIFIED SIZE
1.
tan
l ■ ploved
at Kanua! Work
MAINTENANCE STANDARD
AVERAGE
UNIT
I'll ICE
ITEM
ANNUAi.
ANNUAL
REPLACE-
COST
MENT
Overcoat fflinterl • • , . . ....... .. .......... .
EMERGENCY STANDARD
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
REPLACEMENT
COST
$
Su i t 111,nter, 2 Pr . Trousers! .. .,., .. .. .. .
Su,t I Sumner I ... . ..... ...... ....... . .. . .. .
Sweater 11/ooll .. . ... . ...... .. ... .. . . ..... .
2
Trousers I Work I ...... .. . ... .. .. ......... ..
Shirt !Collar Attachedl .................. .
2
Shirt !Work , Cottonl ...... . .. . .... . ...... .
2
!
Short !Work, Wooll ... .. .................. .
2
Overalls !Bibi ............. . ..... . ....... .
2
Jumper I Cotton I ........... ... ......... . .. .
Union Su,t IW1nterl ... . ............ .. . . .. ,
u
u
lln ion Su It ISu11rner) ..... . ... • . •.. .. .. •.. ,.
2
1
I
i
I
Pajamas IFlannelettel . .. .............. .. ..
I
i
1
Pajamas !Cotton I .... .. . ... .. , •••• • •.••••• .
Socks lnress, Cot ton I .. .... ............. ..
J
Socks IV1ork, Cotton I ..... .. ... . .... . . . . . . .
6
I
I
Hat IFeltl .. .. .. ............... . ........ ..
i
3
I
Hat l~trawl .... . ........................ . .
3
Cap . ............... . ..... . . ... .. .. ...... . .
Gloves !Street) . . ......... . .. .. ... .. ... .. .
Gloves IWork. Cotton! . .. ... . . ... .. . . . . ... .
9
Shoes IOxfordsl . ...... .. . .. . .. ... ... ... . ..
Shoes I Work I .. . .. . . .. ............. . .. , ••• •
SI i ppers I House I .. .. ... . ....... , . . . ..... ..
Rubbers ............... . ... . ............ •·•
:l
!
3
I
I
l)nbrella ... .. ... . .... . .. .. . ... ........ .. ..
I
e
5
Tie ..•..... . .. • . . , ... . .. . •.... . ... • .. . ....
.20
Suspenders •• . . . . • . . ..... .. •.. . . •.• •.•..•..
.20
J
.60
.40
.20
.20
Belt ........ . ... .. . .. . . ... .. ... . . ... ..... .
.20
.20
. 10
Garters ....... . .... .. . . ... . . ...... ... .. .. .
. to
. 20
. 20
Handkerchief ... ,, .. . .................. ... .
.05
8
,40
Shoe Laces ...... . .... . . . ... .. . .. ..... . .. ..
.05
J
.15
. 20
.15
J
. 50
1. 75
Incidentals .. ............. ... .... . . . ... .. .
TOTAL. ... . .. . ... .. ·
Shoe Repairs (Half Soles and Heels)a... . ..
$
J
s
3
$
Cleaning and Pressing Su i ta ...... .... .... .
a
Carry cost to section 9,
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
18
TA OLE II. - {Continued)
Roy Aie 13-15
2.
~AINTENANCE STANDARD
EMERGEN CY STANDAR D
AVERAGE
IT E.M
U NIT
PRICE
ANNUAL
ANN UAL
ANNU Al
REP L ACE-
COS T
ME.NT
J acket {Sheep L ined . Leathe r ette) .... .. • • ..
l
$
2
COST
YE.NT
.i
1
ANN U AL
REPLACE-
3
$
I
R:1;inco~t . . .... . .... . .. . . .......... . .. . ..•. .
2
Sui t {Wint er. 2 Pr . Trousers) ... • •• •. • . . • • •
I
~
Sweater ('Noo 1) ......• .. . • .. . • ...... . . .. . • . •
I
I
2
I
2
2
I
SI acks {Co r du roy) .. . . , • . ... . • . • . .. .• .. .. , ..
2
SI acks {Co t ton) . . . . ..... .. . ... . . ... .... .•• •
Shi r t {Co tt on) ..... . . . . ...... . . . ... .. .. . . . .
6
Ove r a 11 s ....• .. . . ....•• • .•.. • . • .•.•....• . ..
Union Su it (W inte r ) . ... • ...• ... .•. • . ...• .• .
1,-
H
Union Sui t {Sunrner) .. . .. . • .•.... • . • ...... ..
2
2
10
B
Pa j
11TI'5
I Flanne l et te) .... •.• .•. .•. . .... , .. .
Pajamas {Co tt on) ..... .• .. ..... • •.. • . • .• , . • •
Socks !Cotton) .....• . ..•.• .•.....•..••. .. ..
l
Cap {W ,n t er) .. •• ... .. . . . . • . • ... • . . .. • • ... • .
2
Ca o I Susmer) • .. .• ••• . • .•.• .. •.• • • . • .• . . • . • .
l
GI ov es {Woo I) .. .•...•.. • .• . • • • ••. . • . • . • . .••
1
Shoes {Oxfo rds ) . ..... ..• .....•.••..... • . •..
3
I
2
2
½
3
Sho es I Canv as Spo rt) . •..• ..•. • ••. . .. • . • •...
Rubbe r s .... •. ... •.• •.•. • •. . .• • ........ • . .. .
.4 0
2
TI e .... . ... .. ....... . .. . .. . . .... .. . . .. . . • ..
.20
Belt . ..... . . . .. . ... ..... .... . .. .. . .. .. . . . . .
• ?O
Ga r ter s . ... ..... . .. . .. . ... . .. . . .. ... . .. . . . .
. 10
2
.20
Handke r chi ef. . ..• . • • •. •.. ... .. .• ..•.•. • .. .•
.05
6
. 30
. 20
Shoe Lac es •.. . . .• • ..•••. • . • • . • • . .. . •• •••• .•
.05
.20
.20
1.15
. 40
3
.60
Incidentals .. .. .... . . . . . ...... . .. • . ... .. . . .
TOTAL. ..•. . ... •• .. .. .
Shoe Repairs {Ha lf So les and Heels ) • .•.....
a
Carry
CJ
I
. 20
2
2
3
$
. 20
i
$
$
. 10
3
$
St t o s ect i o n 9.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
TABLE I
3.
I. -
19
(Continued)
Bov At e 7-12
MA I NTENANCE STANDARD
EWERGENCY STANDARD
AVERAGE
UN IT
ANNUAL
PR ICE
REPLACE-
ANNUAL
COST
IIENT
I
Jacket (S~ep Lined . Leatherette) . ....... . $
ANNUAL
COST
I
2
3
I
Raincoat . ... .... . ... . . . ................. . .
Suit )Winter,
ANNUAL
REPLACEMENT
1
I
2 pr . Knickers) ••••.•• ••••• • •
2
I
S«eater (Wool) • • • ••••••• ••• • •• • • ••• ••• .•• •
I
2
2
I
Knickers (Corduroy) • . • •••.••••••••••••••••
2
Knic•ers or Shorts (Cotton) •• • ••• ••• • ••• • .
Shirt (Cotton) ••••. .. •• . •.••.••••••• • ••• ..
6
Overalls •••. . •• .. •.•• .. • •. • • •••• • • •.••• •••
Un ion Suit (W i nter) ••• • •. . • ••• •• . •.•••• ••.
t,
Union Suit (Sumner) • • •. . ••• • .•..••••..••• •
2
Pajamas (Flannelette) •• . •.•...•.••..••••• .
Pajamas (Cotton) ...• ••• . • •• • • • • •.••. • ..•••
Stockings (Cotton) ••• • ••••..•• , •• •.. ••••. .
10
8
Cap (Winter) ••.•.•.••••.•.... ... ••• ... ••• .
½
I
Ca p (Sumner) • •••• •.• ••••• ... .•••• . •. .. •••.
I
2
'i
Gloves (Wool) .•• ..• •••• . ••• • • •••.• • . •• •..•
Shoes IOx fords ) •••••.•••••• •..• • . • ... •. • ..
Shoes (Canvas Sport) ••••• ••.••• • .••. • . •..•
Rubber s .•••.•• .. • .. .• . ••• . .• .. •• • ••. ..••..
.40
Tie . ..... .... . • ... .... .. . . .. . ..... • .•. . . .•
.20
Belt. ......•..• ... . .. . . • . . ... .. . ... . . . ... •
.20
. 20
Garters ...... ... . ...... . ... . . ... .. . ...... .
. 10
.20
.20
Handkerchi ef . • . .••• • • . •• .. • .•. ••.• • .• •.•• •
.OS
Shoe Laces . • • • ••• • •• . •••• • • • . • ••• ••• •• •..•
.02,
6
Incidentals . .. ..... .... ......... . . . ....•.•
TOTAL .•..• . • . • • • • . . • .•.
Shoe Repa i rs (Half So les and Heels)a .. • . .. $
a
.40
2
I
.30
.20
.1 0
. 10
.50
.25
•
$
3
$
. 10
1
3
$
Carry cost to sect Ion 9 .
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
20
TABLE II.- (Continued)
, .
Boy Afe 2-6
MA I NTENANCE ST ANOARO
ITEM
EMERGENCY STANOARO
AVERAGE
UNIT
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
PRICE
REPLACE-
COST
REPLACEMENT
COST
MENT
$
Snow Suit (3 Piece)' ...................... $
Sweat er (Wool I ................ . .......... .
Su it ('Nas h) ...... ... . ..... . ... ........ . .. .
Cov era 11 s ••••..•.••.. ... .• . •.• • . . , ••••... ,
Play Suit ..... . .... ..... ................. ,
Un i on Suit
1,
(Wi nter) . .. . • .. . . .. • . . .• . .. .• . •
2
Sleeping Su it (t l.,nnelette) ............. ..
Sleep ing Su it (Cotton) •••. •..• • . • •• •.• • • • •
Stock i ngs (Co t ton) ....................... .
5
5
Socks (Cotton) . .. ....... ..... .. .......... .
3
3
Capo rHat (Su<TYrer) ..................... ..
Mittens .. . .. . . . .................. . . , .. ,,.,
Sh oes (Oxfords I ...
..... ..... . .. ...... .... .
Shoes (Sa ndals) .. .... . ... .... .... ........ .
Ga I oshes ... . .• •••. • •• •••• . •••••• ••• •• .••• ,
Garters .. ........ .. . .................. . .. .
.1 0
Handkerchief. ........................ . ... ,
.02,
6
Shoe Laces ..••••• , .. •• • •• • • •.•• ••••••.• .••
.02i
2
. 10
Incidentals . . . . . . .. ... .......... . . . . •.....
TOTAL ....•. • • .. ...•. , ..
HeJ,net, .11nd j acket and ski
pants,
or- all
2
$
.10
.10
.05
.<:6
.50
.25
;
$
Shoe Repairs (Half So les a nd Hee ls)b ..... . $
a
1
.15
2
$
In one.
Carry co st to sect i on 9 .
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
TABLE I I.
5.
21
- (Continued)
lloa a n In the Bo•e
WAI NTE NANC E STANDARD
AV ERAGE
ITEW
UNI T
PRI CE
EWERGENCY STANDARD
r---ANN UA L
ANNUAL
AN NUA L
RE PL AC E-
COST
MEN T
Coat (Wi nte r ) •••• .. ••.. ••..•••••• • ••. • •• • •
l
Coat (Spring) . •• • . • • •. .. ••• ••. ... • ••••• •..
1
AN NUAL
REPL AC E-
COST
"E NT
3
3
I
Sweater (Wool I • •••••••• •• •••••••••••• • ••••
2
I
~
Dress (Woo I ) ••..•••• • . •...•. . .•...•.••.•• .
Dr ess (Si I k or Rayon ) . . .. •..•.•.•. . ..••. ••
Dress (St reet , Cot t on) ••••.•. . ••••.•• • ....
Dress (House. Cot ton) .••.••..... . . . .... ...
3
Dr ess SI i p (Cot ton) .•••.••. . .••.••••••.•..
Corset or Gi r d le . ................ . ....... .
Brassie re (Cotton or Rayon) . . . ... . ....... .
2
Bloc,ner s or Panties (Cotton or ~ayon) • •.. •
3
Union Suit (Winter) ...................... .
H
Nightgown (Flanne l ette) ..• ... • • ....•.... . •
2
I
I
2
Nigh t gown (Cotton) •...... . .... • .•. . . ... •.•
I
Bathrobe (Blanket ) ......•••••.•••.•.•.....
IQ
,
I
Ki-nono (Cot to n ) .••• . •....•.•. • ...••. .. •• ..
Stockings (Cotton) •. ...• ...•.. • .•..• •.. .•.
6
Stockings (Si I k o r Rayon I .........•...•...
2
I
I
Hat (Winter) .... . .............•.•.•.•.. • • •
2
2
I
Hat (Su,,.,.,r) .....••. . •.• • • . .. .•.• •••.•.• • •
2
Gl oves (Fabri c) .... . •.. . .. .•. •..• ••. • .....
2
I
Shoes (Oxfo rds) ...••....•....•....•.•.....
Shoes ( Pumps I •...•..•• • . • ...• •. . • • • • • • • • • •
I
SI ippe r s (Hou se) ..•.•... • .... • •.•. • . •. ••. •
2
!
Ga l oshes ... . . . •.....• . • •..•.••.• • ..•.. • .•.
,
I
I
linb r ella (Cotton) . . .... . ..•.•..•.•.... . . • .
3
I
I
Handbag . •• . . •.••......•.•.•.... • •••••••·••
3
"Z
Apron . ... . ..... .... . ....... . .. . .. • . . ... . , .
.20
Un1ervest (Cotton or RayonJ ..... .•. •...••.
. 15
2
Handkerchief . .. .. . ......... . .....•........
. 05
6
Shoe Laces .. .....•. • ••• . •.•.•• •• . •••• . •. •.
.05
lncide nt.\ls ........ . .. . ... . .. . . .. .. ...... .
TOTAL .. . ...•••. . .... $
Shoe Repai r s (Half 5o l es and Heels)• ...... $
.40
2
.40
.30
2
.30
.30
.20
.as
.05
1. 70
.so
$
2
$
$
2
$
Shoe Repairs (Heel s Only ) • .•••.•.. .. •••.••
Dress Dry Cleaned an,j Pres sed a .. ... . .. ... ,
Coat Ory Cl eao-,d and Pressed• ....•..•.•...
a
Carry cost
I
2
J_
2
t o sec t ion 9 ,
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
22
QUANTITY BUDGETS
TABLE II . -
6.
(Conti nued J
Gt r t Ate 13 - 15
EMERGENCY STANDARD
MA I NTENA.NCE STANDARD
AV ERAGE
UNI T
ITEM
PR ICE
ANNUAL
ANNUA L
ANNUAL
COST
RE PLA CE-
Coat (Winter) .•• ••... .•. ...•...•.. . • . . , . •
I
$
'1
3
I
'1
1,
Sweater (N oo l J .... . .. . . ... ..... . . .... . . ..
COST
I
$
I
Coat (Spr i ng J • •• •• • •• • •••••••••••• • • •••••
ANNUA L
RE PLACE'-'ENT
MENT
3
I
Qr ess (Si I k o r Rayo n) . .... .. .. ... ... ... ..
'1
Dr ess (Cot ton) . .. . .... .. . . .. ..... ... . ... .
3
2
I
Ski rt (Nool) . .. ........... . . . .. .. ..... .. .
'
Al ouse (Cott on) ... . ... . .. .. .. ... . .... .. . .
Dr ess SI ip (Co tt on ) ... ................. ..
Girdle o r Garter 9e lt ... .... ... ....... .. .
Br assiere (9andeau) . ... ...... . ...... ... . .
H
Blo0'1'e r s or Pantie s (Co tt on o r qayon ) . .. .
3
Un ion Su i t (Winter) . .... . ..... .. . .... ... .
Nightgown or Pa j arras (F l annelette) .... . ..
Ni ghtgown or Pa jamas (Cotton) .......... ..
Stoc ki ngs (Co tt on) ....... .. ...... . . ..... .
8
7
St oc kings (S i lk o r Ra yon) .... ....... .. .. .
Hat
(W i nter) ..... . . ... ..... . . .•. . . . .. . ...
Ha t
(Su,m,er ) ................ . . . ... . .. ... .
I
'
I
Glov es ('Nool) .. . . ...... ..... ......... .. . .
2
Shoes (Oxfor ds) .... . . ...... .. .... .. .... ..
2
Shoes (Pum ps) .. . .. .• . • • .••• • •• • • • • . . •• . . ,
I
SI i pper s (House I ..... . .. .... .. .. ..... . . ..
3
Ga I osh':! s . . . ... . ...... . . .. . •. .. . •. •. •. . .. .
I
Umb r e l la (Co tt on) ..... . .. .. ... , ..... . ... .
I
:i
5
I
Ha ndbag ................... . . .. ... . ... . .. .
'1
Ap r on . . . ..... ... .. . •.. .. • . .... .. . •.•.. . ,.
. 20
.20
. 20
Ha ndke rchief .. . .. .. ... .. ....... . . .. ,., . • •
.05
6
.30
.20
Shoe La ces . .•••.. • . • . • • . • .• .. •.... . ..... ,
.05
2
.10
Inc ide ntal s . ...... . , ... .. ... . . .. .. . ..... .
a
.1 0
1.20
TOfA L. ............... .
Shoe Re pair s (Half So les and Hee l s )• . .. ..
2
. 40
$
$
3
$
$
I
3
$
Ca rry co st to s e c tion 9.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
TABLE II. -
23
(Cont i nued)
Girl Ate 7-12
7.
MAINTENANCE STANDARD
AVERAGE
UNIT
PRI CE
Coa t (Win t er ). ... ..... .. ..... .. . .. .. ..... . .
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
REPLACE-
COST
MENT
ANNUAL
ANN UA L
REPLACE-
COST
MEN T
$
$
$
I
Coa t (Sp r i ng ) ......... . . . . .. . ............ ..
3"
Swea t er (Woo l) . .... ... . ...•.• . •• .... .•.•...
.,
I
Dress (Silk or Ray on) .... .. .. . ............ .
Dr ess (Co tt on ) ..• • .• .. ..•.. .. ••• • . . •••••. • .
Sk i r t
EMERGENCY STANDARD
2
3
.,
I
(Wool ) ...... ... . . . . . ...... ... . .. . . .. .
Bl ouse (Co tt on ) ... . .. ............... . ... . ..
Dr ess SI i p (Cot t on ) ...................... . .
Bl oome r s or Pan ti es (Cotton or Rayo n ) •• .••.
3
2
Un i on Suit (Win te r) ....................... .
H
H
Uni on Su i t (Surmier) ........... .. .... .. ... ..
2
Nigh t gown o r Pa j ama s (Flannelette) .. .... . ..
Nig ht gown or Pa j amas (Co t t on) . .. . .. .• .• . .. •
Stoc k ing s (Co t t on) . ................... .. . ..
5
Socks . •• .. . .. ..••• .• ••••.•. • ••.•.•.....•...
3
Hat (W i nter) .... . ........... . .... ... ... ... .
Hat (Sunmer) •••• • • .. • .••. •• • • .•.•..••..•• ..
Gloves (Wool) .. . ..... .. .... ........ . . . .... .
Shoes (Oxfords) .. . ... ... ....... . ...... .. .. .
Shoe s ( P\Jmp s ) ........ . . . . ........ . ...... .. .
Shoes (Sneakers) •. • ••• .• • ••.•.... . ••. . .• . . •
Gal ashes . . . • . .... • .• •• . . • .• ... . •. • . •... .. •.
I
Apron . . .. . .. , .. . . ............ . . . . ... .. .. ..•
.20
.20
Garters •••••. ..• •• .. •• • • •••. .. . •.••• • •• . •. •
. 10
.10
. 10
Handkerchief . .•• •• .•.•• . .• •.• • •• •• .•.• •• •• •
. 02i
.15
. 10
Shoe Lace s ....... . . .. ...... ... . . . ... . .... .
.02,
6
Incidentals . . . . .. .. . . . .......... . . . • . . .....
TOTAL. . . ... . .. . ...... .
Shoe Repa i r s (Half Soles and Heel s )• ••.••.•
a
. 10
. 10
. BO
.35
$
$
3
. 10
2
$
3
$
Carry cost to sect i on 9.
1
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
24
QUANTITY BUDGETS
TABLE 11.- (Continued)
8.
Girt Ate 2-6
MAINTENANCE STANDARD
AVERAGE
UNIT
PRICE
I TE"'
ANNUAL
REPLACE-
ANNUAL
aJST
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
REPLACE-
COST
MENT
"'ENT
Snow Suit (3 Piece)• ...... ,... . ............
E"'ERGENCY STANDARD
I
$
,:
I
Sweater (Wool J .......... . .. ... ..... .. .. . .. .
2
Dr ess (Co t t on) . • ... • . ..•... . •.. ... , .• . .•. • •
3
Co veral 1s • . .. . . . •• . •••••• , ••.••• , .•. ... , .•.
1
3
Pla y Suit ••. . • ..•.•. • . •.• . •• • •. .. • .. .•••. • .
2
Bloomers or Panties (Co tton o r Rayon) .... ..
3
Union Suit (Winter) ... .. ... .............. ..
1¼
2
Union Su it (Su=er) ............. . . . ....... .
Sleepi ng Su i t ( Flannelette) .. ........ ..... .
Sleeping Su i t (Co tt on) ... ...... .. .. .. .. ... .
St ockings (Co t ton J . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
... .. . .. .
5
Socks (Cot t on) .... ...... .. . ... .......... . . .
1
I
Hat (Surrmer) ...••. . .••.•• . .. ••. • .•.... •. ...
'2'
Mit tens . .. ... .................. . ... . .. , . .. .
Shoes (Oxfords) ..•.• • .•..•• • • . .•. • • . • . • . , . •
Shoes (Pump s I ........... .. ........ .... .. .. .
Shoes (5andal s ) . ..... .... ... . .
Gal oshes . .. ...• . •• . • .• , . • . •. .• . ,. , . •.• . • . . •
Ga rt ers . . ........ ...... ........... . . .. . ... .
. 10
Handker ch i c f . . . . ... .. .... .. .. . . . . •.. . . . ....
.02¼
6
. 15
Shoe L~ces ........ ... • . ...... . ..... . . . . . ...
.02¼
2
, 05
.10
TOT~L ...... . ....... .. .
. 05
.25
$
Shoe kepai r s (Ha lf So les and Hee l s )b .......
$
a
i n one .
and jecket and ski pants, or at I
. 10
2
. 70
In cid ental s ........ .. ... . .... . .. .. .. . . . ... .
Helmet,
. 10
2
$
$
2
$
Ca rry cost to section 9.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
25
TABLf I I. - (Continued)
9,
Clothtnt Upkeep for fa•llle• of Specified Size
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
?. PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
I CHI LO
2 CHI LOREN
3 CH I LOREN
4 CHI LOREN
5 CH I LOREN
AVER- > - - - AGE
UNIT
ITEM
PRICE
ANNUAL
REPLACE
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
RE-
ANNUAL
RE-
ANNUAL
RE-
ANNUAL
COST
PLACE-
COST
PLACEMENT
COST
PLACE-
COST
MENT
MENT
MENT
ANNUAL
RE-
PLACE- COST
MENT
MAIIIITENANCE STANDARD
CLEAN ING
Clothes Brush ..... ........ $.20
Cleaning Powder or Fluid .. .10
Shoe Brush ...... .. .... . ... .1 0
Shoe Polish ............. .. . 10
TOTAL ....... $
l
$ .10
1
1
3
.1 0
.10
.30
1
1
.1 0
.10
.10
4
.40•
$ . 60
-
2 $ .10
.10
2
I
.05
2
.15
3
1
.05
1
.05
1
.05
1
.05
I
. 05
2
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
-
-
$ .65
-
-
-
-
-
SEWING
Cot ton Thread 1150 Yds.) .. $ .05
Si 1k Thread (50 Yds . ) .... . .05
Linen Thread (50 Yds . ) ....
.10
Darning Cot ton ll50Yds.). .05
Thimble ...... ... . ... .. .. .. . 05
Needles (Package) ....... . . .05
Tape ~asure . ...... ... .. .. . 05
Pins (Paper) ........ .. . . .. .05
Safety Pins ..... .. .. . ... . . .10
TOTAL. ... ... $
Total of Items Transferred
from Sect ions 1-Sc
GRAND TOTAL
2
-
½$
l.
2
1
1
5
1
2
1
6
$
.20
.20
. 10
.60
1
2
1
7
$ .20
.10
. 10
.50
$ .10
.20
.1 0
. 70
$ . 70
-
$ .BO
-
$ 1.10
-
$1.20
$ .1 5
3
3
$ .15
4
4
$
.20
.20
. 10
.30
.05
.05
.05
.10
.15
4
4
$ .20
.20
.1 0
. 15
.05
.20
.05
l.
2
. 15
.05
. 25
.05
.05
.05
·_05
.10
1
6
1
1
1
2
11 .90
-
I$ 1 20
-
1$1.25
l
2
1
7
1
1
1
2
1,
.35
.05
.05
.10
5
1
1
1
1
1
-
$ .85
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
1
$
. 20
.20
. 10
.40
1
2
1
5
$ .20
.20
.10
.50
4
.05
H
.05
. 05
. 05
. 10
. 15
EMERGENCY STANDARD
CLEAN ING
Clothes Brush .......... . . . $.20
Cleaning PO'#der or Fluid .. .10
Shoe Brush ..... . .. . ... .. .. . 10
Shoe Polish .. .. .. . . . . . ... . .10
TOTAL. .. . ... $
-
SEWING
Cotton Thread (150 Yds.) . . $ .05
Si 1k Thread (50 Yds . ) . .... .05
Linen Thread 150 Yds . ) ....
.10
Darning Cott on (150 Yds.).
.05
Thimble . ... . . . .... . ... .. . . .05
Needles !Package) .........
Tape Measure .... . . . . : ... ..
Pins I Paper) ... . ... . . .... .
Safety Pins ..... . . .... ....
TOTAL ....... $
Total of Items Transferred
from Sect ions 1-8"
GRAND TOTAL
.05
.05
. 05
.10
l.
2
1
3
$ .1 0
.10
.1 0
.30
$ .40
-
$ .50
-
$ . 60
-
$
.90
-
$ 1.00
$ . 10
.10
.05
.15
. 05
. 05
.05
J
J
$ . 15
$ . 15
4
4
I
$
.20
.20
.10
.30
.05
.05
4
$
I
2
2
2
l
2
3
1
1
1
1
j_
$ .10
.10
.10
.20
.10
.10
. 10
. 10
1
1
$
.Qi
.05
½
½
1
I
l
.15
.05
.20
.05
1
1
1
1
.05
.10
4
½
.05
.05
2
I
3
3
.15
.05
.25
. 05
.05
. 05
. 05
.10
l
5
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
4
6
1
1
1
2
. 05
.10
.15
H
4
1
7
1
1
1
2
1,
.35
. 05
.05
.05
. 10
.15
-
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
-
$
-
$
- s
-
$
-
$
-
-
$
-
$
-
-
$
-
$
$
.20
.20
.10
C
Shoe ,.epalr-, cleaning and pressing allowances and costs are ltemlz.ed for persons of spec ifi ed
sex and age I n Table II~ sections 1-8 , lncluslve.
d
Shoe repair allowances and costs are Itemized for persons of specif i ed sew and age
sections 1-8, Inclusive .
in Table It,
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
26
QUANTITY BUDGETS
TABLE Ill .
P£RSONAL CARE RE QUIRED P£R YEAR BY INDIVIDUA LS, AND FAMILIES OF SA: CIF IED SIZE
Nen,
I.
and Hoy .•
~N EMPLOYED AT
UN IT
t TEM
BOY AGE
MAN UA L WORK
AVERAGE
·I
ANNUAL
REP LACE-
PR I CE
Ate 2- 15
·I
ANNUAL
COS T
ANNUAL
RE PLA CE•AENT
ML~j r"
I 3- I 5
ANN UAL
COST
BOY AGE 7-12
I
ANNUAL
RE PLACE-
BOY AGE 2 - 6
·I
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
REPLACEMENT
COST
MENT
ANNUAL
COS T
MA I NTENANC E STANDARD
H1 i r Cut • ..... •. .•. . . .
Comb ..... . ...... • .....
'. 2
1
3
.1 0
.20
.1 0
. 10
. 02,
.1 0
. 05
1. 00
Hair Bru sh ....... . . • ..
Tno t h Br us h . .. , ..... . •
qa zo r . . . . ... . .... . . .. .
1?.1 1o r q l adPS ...... . ...
Shav i n9 Br 1Jsh .. . ..... .
Sh3,v i ng Soap ........ . .
Rubbe r Shee t i .,:J , ......
B
$
.J O
.
3
1
. 10
.30
. 05
1.00
.1 0
.20
.
40
1
8
$
.1 0
.1 0
. )0
.
3
6
$
.1 0
. 10
. )0
~
3
$
. 10
. 10
.30
..
3
1. 00
TOTALb • . • .. . .
$
$
$
$
EMERGE NCY STAN DARD
Cut ....... ••• ....
Comb ..... . . . .. . . . . ....
Ha 1 r 9r 1Jsh .. ... . . •.•..
Too t h qr ush . . . . . . . . , . .
H:11 1 r
$
R
'
..
.1 0
. 20
. 10
. 10
. 02½
. 10
. O'i
1. 00
R?J1 o r . ... . ...... . . .. ,,
Rr3 1 o r Blades .... .. ....
Shav I ng 8 ru sh .. ... . . • .
Sh.!iv i ng Soap ..........
Rubber S hee t I n3 .......
6
$
3
. O'i
.1 0
.30
20
. 05
. 50
'
..
6
$
. JS
. 10
. 30
$
•
'
$
'
. 05
.1 0
.JO
3
.05
.1 0
.)0
!,
3
.l C
.2 0
1.00
TOTALb ..... ..
$
$
$
$
1.45
2.
\lwOMAN
AV ER AGE
ITEM
IN TM E HOME
·I
UN IT
PR I CE
G I RL AGE
REANNUAL
PLACE -
ANNUAL
ANN UAL ·
RE PL AC E-
ME NT
r.os T
MENT
I
13-1 5
G IRL AGE 7-12
·I
ANN UAL
ANNUAL
REPL
AC E-
A.NNUAL
COS T
MENT
COS T
G IPL AGE 2-6
·I
ANNUAL
REPLACEYENT
ANNUAL
COS T
MA I NT ENAN CE STANOAR O
a
Ha ir Cut .. . . . .... . . . . .. $
Hai r Wave .. ..... . . . . . ..
6
3
1
. 10
. 20
.10
Comb . . •. . • ........• .• . .
Hair Orush ... . . ... .....
Too t h Bru sh ...... . ... . .
Hai rp 1ns , Powd e r , e t c . .
Uan • cu re Suoo I i e s . .....
Deodo r ant. ..
San1 t a r y Suppl i es ......
.. ..... .. .
. 10
Rubber Sheeting........
1. 00
. 10
€
3
1
.,o
3
1$
3
1$
6
I~
. 10
. 30
. 35
. 55
. 20
.10
1. 40
3
I
2
$
,
. 10
1
.30
.10
3
. 10
. 10
. 30
.10
L
.1 0
1.4 0
-
1.00
I
TOTAL b_ . . . ....
$
Comb ......•............ $
Ha ir e ru sh . . . . .. ... .. . .
Toot h Bru sh ..... . . . .. . .
,
.10
. 20
.10
H,3 irp i ns. Powd e r. e tc ..
Deod o rant . . ............
Sanit a ry Supplie s . . . . ..
.1 0
Rubber Sheeti ng . .•• . •.•
1.00
For
for
a du I t s,
c ost
to
•
.05
.30
.25
.1 0
1. 40
$
3
$
.05
. 30
.10
.10
1.40
,
$
3
$
.05
. 30
. 10
3
••
$
.05
.10
.30
1.00
$
and chi I dren ag e
children age 2-12,
Ca rry total
$
3
TOTALb . . ! . ....
a
$
EMERGEN CY ST ANOARO
13 and
?.10
$ 1. 95
$
.4 5
$ 1.45
over, u s e cost of s ervi c e for adu I ts;
use cost of service for children.
sect io n 3-
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
27
TABLE III. - !Continued)
3.
ITEM
!AVERAGE
UNIT
PRICE
fo ■ tltes
of Specified Size
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS ,
2,. PARENTS,
I CHILO
2 CH ILOAEN
3 CH I LOREN
4 CH I LOREN
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
RE-
ANNUAL
RE-
PLACE-
COST
PLACE-
MENT
ANNUAL
ANNUAL
COST
MENT
ANNUAL
2 PARENTS,
5 CHILDREN
RE-
ANNUAL
RE-
ANNU4L
ANNUAL
RE-
PLACE-
COST
PLACE-
COST
PLACE-
MENT
MENT
ANNUAL
COST
MENT
MA I NTENANCE STANDARD
s
Toilet Soap llb. ) ••. $
Tooth ·P aste .•.• • ....
.10
Na i 1 Brush • .. . .•. . .•
. 10
15
18
1
-
-
-
-
r o i 1et Soap II b. I ••• $
Tooth Paste •••• •••••
.10
Hai 1 Brush •.• •••• • • •
.10
15
18
1
$
TOTAL. ..•.
Total of Items
Transferred from
Sections 1-2 • • • •.••
GRANO TOTAL •.• ..
1.BO
.10
$
$
$
1.80
.10
IS
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
-
$
-
$
$
-
$
-
$
26
30
1
$
20
24
1
TOTAL • • • ..
-
-
$
-
Total of Items
Transferred from
Sections 1-2 •••• • ••
-
IS
GRANO TOTAL. ..••
-
-
-
IS
$
20
24
1
2.40
. 10
~
2.40
.10
$
IS
IS
26
30
I
-
-
30
3 . 00
. 10
3.00
. 10
$
$
$
36
3.60
. 10
1
35
42
I
-
-
$
4 .20
.10
$
$
$
30
36
1
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
$
-
$
3 . 60
.10
35
42
1
$
4.20
.10
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
28
C.
Housing
Housing needs of a family are not so readily determinable
as are more tangible commodity requirements, even for a specified size, sex and age composition, living at a basic maintenance level. Not only are considerations of heal th and decency
unsuited to quantitative measurements, but such items as location of the dwelling, construction, state of repair and conveniences provided also enter into the picture. From a practical point of view, moreover, the fact must be taken into account that purely local circumstances, which cannot be changed
at will, condition prevailing housing standards. Thus no matter how unsatisfactory, they must be accepted as they are,
pending improvement, which often requires a long period for
accomplishment.
Standards specified here are based on the necessity for accepting housing as it exists, and in no sense constitute standards for dwellings built in the future. They cannot be specified in detail and may be found in a variety of building types;
they necessaI'ily vary with climate. Under any circumstances,
the house must be safely constructed and in at least a fair
state of repair, clean, sanitary, free from dampness and without serious fire hazards.
Where there is a state or local
housing code setting minimum standards for such essentials as
light and air, sanitation, etc., and where there is a building
code set ting standards for structural safety, compliance with
these regulations is essential. There must be running water
and provision for sanitary disposal of waste. Each room should
have natural light and ventilation, with at least one window
of normal size opening directly outdoors so as to admit light
and air. Desirable attrioutes are a respectable, non-industrial neighborhood, without traffic hazards, and conveniently
located with reference to schools, work, church, transportation
lines, shopping area and playground; where streets are paved
and there are sidewalks, gas and electricity connections. Storage space in the house for food and clothing, sunlight, arrangement of rooms to insure privacy as well as warmth, number and
size of rooms in relation to occupancy, are important items to
be considered.
The size, and sex and age composition of the family as well
as the size, arrangement and ventilation of the rooms in the
last analysis must be controlling factors in the determina\ion
of standards of room occupancy for any dwelling unit. Except
for very large families, however, an average of not more than
one person per room may be accepted as the minimum.
Layout and use of rooms differ greatly. Hence, number of
rooms rather than floor space is suggested as a guide to adequacy, except that rooms should be of sufficient size to
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
29
STANDARDS
accommodate the number of persons who are supposed to us e them,
for the purposes of normal family life. Bedrooms should have
space for one douhle or two single beds, a chair and chest of
drawers; dining
accommodations should be adequate to permit seating all members of the family at table at the same time
for meals; the living room should be large enough for a couch
and easy chairs. In all instances, space for moving about,
children's play, and ordinary household activities must be assured.
Minimum maintenance standards for housing demand that all
these attributes be included and that each family have a bathroom with tub or shower and toilet for its exclusive use. This
must be in a separate compartment within the house or apartment, except that, where freezing temperatures rarely occur,
it may be on the back porch. Cellar or community toilets of
any kind are not to be considered satisfactory, and yard toilets are acceptable only when they comply with local health
requirements and no other form of toilet is practicable.
Standards of emergency housing are less easily defined, although they must be provided. Where such a distinction can be
made, all the essentials specified above should be secured,
except that private tub or shower may be omitted. In localities where only substandard housing provides this type of equipment , resulting in disqualification on that basis, other criteria must be used, such as less desirable neighborhood, older
or less convenient house, or other intangible but real divergencies from maintenance standards. A convenient guide to the
type of housing which may be obtained to meet emergency conditions and still insure standardsofhealth and decency is using
a rent ratio equivalent to approximately 75 percent of average
rents of maintenance housing.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
30
QUANTITY BUDGETS
D.
Household Operation
The items listed in t~e group of goods and services necessary for household operation include all those required !or
home maintenance, exclusive of furniture, furnishings and equipment. They comprise fuel, energy for light and household appliances, ice, household supplies, certain unspecified miscellaneous needs, such as telephone, postage, wrjting materials,
etc., and water and refuse disposal if payment for these services constitutes a direct charge on the householder.
The most important of these items from the point of view of
comfort and cost are largely dependent on the local situation,
such as climate, type of house in which the family lives, and
facilities available for securing the services required. Because oi these variables, it is necessary, in setting up budgets for families of different size, to provide quantity estim~tes for fuel and ice with reference to climate, and for fuel
and light on the basis of varieties customarily used. Whether
or not the tenant pays directly for water and refuse disposal
is also a local mi'l.t ter about which general i.zation cannot be
made. Quantity standards for household supplies, and an allowance for telephone, postage and miscellaneous needs, on the
other hand, can be established for use anywhere.
1.
/i'ue l
Fuel is required for room warming, cooking and heating water
for bl'l.ths, laundry, dish washing, etc. Coal, coke, wood, oil,
gas and electricity i'l.re consumed for one or more of these purposes, and it is not uncommon for two or three fuels to be used
in one household in the course of a year. Apart from considerations of climate and the standard of living, the necessary
demand for any one fuel is related to the total number of fuels
used and their purpose, the type of home and number of rooms
to be warmed, heating and cooking equipment available, and the
number of persons in the family.
Available evidence suggests that single-family dwellings
warmed by stoves or other decentralized heaters in which coal
or wood is burned are most representative of the housing occupied by industrial, service and other manual workers of small
means. The anthracite-consuming region in general is made up
of the New England and Middle Atlantic States, as far west as
Buffalo, cutting east diagonally to Washington, and including
Harrisburg and Baltimore. Within this area, however, bituminous coal and oi 1 are also used as domestic fuels. Families
in the remainder of the country for the most part warm their
houses with bituminous coal, although some anthracite is used,
and in areas of milder temperatures adjacent to timber lands
or oil fields, wood, oil or natural gas often constitute the
0
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
31
primary fuel among families of small means.
Natural, manufactured and mixed gas are consumed as supplementary fuel for
cooking and water heating . Near the oil fields natural gas is
used exclusively and it is also piped to more distant areas
for use alone or mixed with manufactured gas; manufactured gas
is more common in the cities of the East.
Table IV summarizes the quantities of these fuels required
for the purposes specified. 1 They represent average needs and
assume average efficiency and care in fuel use. It should be
understood, however, that house construction ang. room layout
affect necessary consumption of identical fuels in identical
equipment and that the caloric value of the same kind of fuel
and efficiency of the same type of eq~ipment vary. Local adjustments based on these factors may be required.
Because of the necessity for generalizations, and also to
take into account the uni ts of sale of the different fuels,
the ratios shown in Table IV are not exact or cons is tent, but
are, rather, suggestive. More run-of-the-mine bituminous coal
of high volatility will be required than of low volatile prepared sizes to obtain equivalent heat values, and similar comparisons may be made with reference to varieties and grades of
wood. Natural,manufactured and mixed gas vary in their B.T.U.
conte.nt from city to city. The climate differentials are related both to the probable number of months fuel will be required for room -warming, and the intensity of the cold during
that period. Consumption may be spread over more or fewer
months, but the tot.al fuel specified per year should be adeqnate.2 Where relatively little fuel
is required !or room
warming, adjustments for standard of living or size of dwelling are less t ban where greater consumption is necessary. Nevertheless, some saving can be made through shortening the period _of use, or lowering the heat intensity, or better than
average management.
It is assumed that during the season when fuel is needed
for room wanning, the kitchen stove will be the principal source
of heat for all purposes, but provision also is made for a fire
in a second stove as occasion requires. W.henfuel is not needed for room warming, it is assumed that gas will be used for
cooking and water heating. If the use of coal, coke or wood
Although gas, 011 or electr1c1t7 11ay be used ror room warming, and on
or eiectr1c1tY 1s not 1nrreQuentl7 used for cooking and water neatlng durlng the summer montns, these ruels are re1at1ve17 so seldom round 1n the
homes ot 1nc1ustrlal, service and other manual workers or small means 1n
urban areas that quant1t7 weights were not developed ror them. It 1s recognized, however, that 1n spec1uc 1oca11t1es, tor particular reasons any
of them may constitute an 1mportant 1tem ln the ramll7 budget.
2 Fuel use dltterentlalS by cllmate are complements or lee use. Therefore. 1fQuantlt7 use ot one 1s low the other ls llkel7 to be hlgh and vtce
versa, with reference to an7 one locallty, and the cost ot the two coml>lnea s ~
~ ~ ~Nlh R~rff esentatln tlgure. NORTHW~;f;;i~,~~IVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
32
TABLE IV.
1.
FUEL REQUIRED PER YEAR IN FOUR DIFFEREKT CLIMATES
Roo ■ s
Co al , Coke and /iood for Specified Purposes In Specified Nu11ber of
MAINTENANCE
EMERGENCY
STANDARD
STANDARD
MONTHS
RE-
PURPOSE
FUEL
UNIT
ROOMS
QUIRED
3
"A" CLIMATE:
WINTER LONG OR COLO,
I4 I, I
ROOMS
6
3
I4 I5 I6
OR LONG ANO COLO
Anthracite ......... ....
Roc,n Warming, Cooking, Water Heating
7
Ton
4
42 5
Si 32 4
4½
s
Anthracite . ........... .
Cooki ng, Water Heating ..............
s
Ton
-
- -
-
1
1
1
1
Bitu,ninous Coal or Coke
Room Warming , Cooki ng, Water Heating
7
Ton
6il 7,
9
6
6,l 7:,
B!
Bituminous Coal or Coke
Cooki ng , Water Heating .. .... . . ......
5
Ton
- - -
-
H
H H
H
s I 3 3,
- 1 1
"8" CLIMATE :
Ba
AVERAGE
Anthracite .. . .. , .. .... .
Rao,, W;;i Ml i ng, Cooki ng, Water Heating
7
Ton
3,
Anthracite ......... . . . .
Cookinq , Water Heat irig ...••.•• .. ....
s
Ton
- - -
Bi tum i nous Co al or CokP
RoD1l War-ni ng, Cooki ng, Water Heating
7
Ton
Sil 6, 7! 8
Bi tum inous Co al or Cokf? I Cook i no. Water Heating ..............
s
Ton
- - -
"(" CLIMATE :
4,
s
Ton
Cooki ng, Water Hei!t ing .. ... .........
7
Ton
- IH
12• 2,
-
4,
1
Sil 6;,
7!,
H H
H
2,:
3
2
2. 2i
2il
-
-
-
li,
u
lii
H
4;,
5
3
3•
4
4,
-
2
2
2
2
Sil 6;, 3,
4i,
s
Sil
a
2il
~
2il
1
1
L~
lil 1il la
Bituminous Co31 or Coke
Room Wanning, Cooking, Water Heating
5
Ton
3,
4
Bituminous Coal or Coke
Cooking, Water Heating .. . . . . . . ... . . .
7
Ton
-
- -
Wood .......... , .... , .. ·
Roc,n Warrni ng, Cooki ng, Water Heatinq
5
Cord H
5
Wood .... •.• .... , . • ,, .. .
Cooking. W-3.ter Heating . . .. ... •• . • • . .
7
Cord
- -
"0" CLIMATE :
5
4
1
WINTER SHORT OR MILD, OR SHORT AND MILD
Anthrac ite . . ...•.•. . ... I Room Warrninc;i, Cooking, W-3.ter Heating
Anth racite ... ... ..••.. .
4
I
-
-
WINTER VERY SHORT OR VERY MI LO, OR VERY SHORT ANO VERY MI LO
ti 15 11• l;\ I
- - - -
Anthracite .. . ......... .
Room Waf'Tling, Cook ing, Water Heat i ng
3
Ton
Anthracite ... .. ........
Cooking , W?1ter Heating ... ...• . .. .. . .
9
Ton
Bituminous Coal o r Coke
Roon Warming, Cooki ng, Water He~t i ng
3
Ton
lil H H
lil H H H H
Bituminous Coal or Coke
Cooking, Water He3t i ng • •..... •.• . . ..
9
Ton
- - -
-
Wood ...................
Room Warming, Cooking, Water Heat i ng
3
Wood .. ....... ... .. .....
Cook ing. Water Heating .. . .. •.. ......
9
2.
NUMBER
OF
PERSONS
PER
FA.Ml LY
I
Cord
-
2il
2! 2
2:1, 2!
Cord 2!
- -
-
I1
1
2il 2il 2A
2
2
3i 3i ,3i
2
3,
Ga• f or Cookl nf and Water Heat Inf for famllle• of Specified Siz e
CURIC FEET OF GAS REQUIRED PER YEAR
CUBIC FEET
OF
GAS
REQUIRED PER MONTH
NATURA L
OR MIXED
I
MA.N UFACTUREO
"C 11 Cl !MATE
17 MONTHS I
"A" ANO "8" CLIMATES
15 MONTHS I
NATURAL
OR MIXED
I
MA.NU-
NATURAL
FACTUREO
OR Ml XEO
I
MANUFACTUREO
"0" CLIMATE
19 MONTHS I
NATURAL
OR MIXED
I
MA.NUFACTUREO
MAINTENANCE STANDARD
3
900
1600
45 00
B000
6300
11200
8100
4
1000
1800
5000
9000
7000
12600
9000
16200
5
1100
2eoo
5500
10000
7700
14000
9900
18000
6
1200
2200
6000
1 1000
8400
15400
10800
19800
7
1300
2400
6500
12000
9100
16800
11700
21600
14400
EMERGENCY ST AN OARD
3
BOO
1500
4000
7500
10500
7200
13500
900
1650
45 00
.
5600
4
8250
6300
11500
8100
14850
5
1000
1800
5000
9000
7000
12600
9000
16200
6
I 100
1950
5500
9750
7700
13650
9900
17550
7
1200
2100
6000
10500
8400
14700
10800
18900
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
33
for cooking and water heating during this period would result
in lower fuel cost, no provision for gas should be made in the
emergency budget. 1
In using the fuel budgets shown in Table IV as a basis for
cost estimates, it will be necessary to make certain adaptations in terms of local conditions under which fuel is sold.
Coal, for example, is frequently purchased in smaller units
than ton lots, such as bushel baskets or hundred-pound bags,
in which case consumption and cost must be reduced to a ton
basis. Where coal is delivered, a carrying-in charge may be
exacted, in addition to the price of the coal itself, although
this should not be paid by families of small income. Wood,
also, is sold in units different from the standard cord, and
the determination of cord equivalents will be necessary before
the standard budget can be priced. It not infrequently happens
that fuel purchased in small quantities sells at a higher rate
per standard unit than when the standard unit is bought. On
the other hand, purchase in small quantities is usually feasible only for those whose storage space is limited, that is,
for families living in apartments. Outside wall exposure often
is less in these dwP-llings than in the single-family buildings
for which standard fuel requirements have been computed, and
less fuel is probably required, therefore, than the standard
budget provides. Hence, in practice the higher cost per ton
will be compensated for largely by the fact that fewer tons
will be purchased.
The price of gas is usually computed as a rate per hundred
cubic feet or multiples thereof, and bills are rendered monthly.
In many places, however, there is a sliding scale and a minimum charge regardless of use, or there may be a meter or other
service charge, or, on the other hand, a prompt payment discount. In some cities, more complicated computations of monthly
cost are required.
In estimating annual costs from monthly
costs, all these items must be taken into consideration.
Kindling and matches complete the fuel requirements. Kindling is not so standardized that exact quantity allowances can
be specified, and match use varies with the kind of fuel. A
fixed allowance of $5 per year for families of any size should
provide amply for these fuel accessories at the maintenance
standard of living in any climate; $1 is allowed at the emergency standard.
2.
Lt~ht and Operation of Small Household Appliances
Light may be supplied through electricity, gas, or oil and
1 A gas plate and accessories are included in the rurn1 ture , rurn1sh1ngs
and equipment budget ror both standards or living. Their use is a matter
or comrort ahd convenience rather than or absolute necessity, and 1r 1t 1s
more expensive, should be eliminated at the emergency standard or living.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
candles. While the last three media are less generally used
than electricity, especially in urban areas, it is possible
that in specific localities, account must be taken of them,
and adjustments made in the budgets accordingly. 1
The light budget contained in Table V is exclusively for
electricity.
It summarizes estimated average use per month
necessary for families of specified size, in specified number
of rooms, as outlined in the housing standard. The basis of
the estimate is one outlet per room, one in a hall, and one in
a bathroom or toilet, in each of which a 50-watt lamp is used.
Energy for operation of an electric iron and a small radio is
also included in the maintenance standard, and of an electric
iron only in the emergency standard. 2
As a matter of fact, rooms may have more than one outlet,
as, for example, where a radio or electric iron is used, but,
on the other hand, 50-watt lamps will not be used in all rooms,
such as the bathroom or toilet and hall.
For the purpose of
estimating electricity requirements, however,
the basis is
reasonable, and the total consumption per year computed on
this basis gives a fair average of necessary use at the standards of living specified. 3
Necessary electric lamp replacements average about one per
thousand hours of use; one new iron cord is required per year.
To cover these essentials and provide a small amount for unusual circumst·a nces connected with their use., the following
1 It ls not uncommon ror ram111es or small means to use kerosene and candles, even though thelr hoaes are wired ror electr1c1ty, because the small
quantl ty or current they consume does not equal the m1n111u11 charg·e per
month, or because tney do not )1'41Sh to make the necessary deposit w1th the
ut11l ty company. &lch conslderatlons wo'uld not enter 1nto the construction or a standard budget.
2
Where gas,or kerosene and candles are used ~or light, necessary consumption tor various s1ze families at two standards ot 11V1ng and rour seasons
or the year must be ascertained tor the purpose or calculating costs on
the same basis as that used tor electr1c1ty, and equivalent allowances
must be made ror operation or an 1ron and small radio.
3
Analysis or e1ectr1c1ty consumption by twenty m1111on res1dent1al customers 1n all sections or the country 1nd1cates that two-thirds use the energy ror 11ght1ng and small appliances. or these, 25 percent average 15
kilowatt hours or less per month, 60 percent average 25 kllo"att hours or
less per month and 76 percent use 40 lt1lo"att hours or less per month,
Federal Power Co111111ss1on, Electric Rate Surve1, Prel1m1nary Report, Domestle and Res1dent1al Rates 1n etrect January t, 1936, C1 t1es or 60,000
Popul atlon and Over, Rate Berl es No. 1, pp. 18- 17,
Inasmuch as there 1 a
a dlrect relatlonshlp between size or residence and amount and character
or use, 1 t would appear that, 1n general, average use or the lowest quartile ls 1n the smallest residences. In Table V, the quantity or eneru
allowed ror the larger tam111ea ma, be somewhat greater than ls customar1
a111ong ram111es or small means 1n local1ttes wh,re the cost or e1ectr1c1t1
ls relatively hlgh.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
TABLE V.
35
ELECTRICITY REOUIR£D PER MONTH BY FAMILIES OF SPECIFIED SIZE-
EMERGENCY STANOARQ
MA I NTENANCE STANDARD
FAMILY UNIT ANO
PERIOD OF USE
NUleER
OF
ROOMSb
L IGHTc
HCJUIS
OF
USE
KILOWATT
HOURS
IRON ANO
RAO 10
TOTAL
KILOWATT
KILOWATT
HOURSd
HOURS
L IGHTc
HOURS
OF
USE
KILOHOURS
WATT
IRON
KILOWATT
HOURSd
TOTAL
KILOWATT
HOURS
2 PARENTS, 1 CHILD
Oc t. 16 - Feb. 14 .. .. , .. .. ......
Feb. 15-Apr. 15; Aug. 11Hkt. 15.
Apr. 16 - Aug . 15 . ...... . .......
3
3
3
3ooe
240
195
15.0
12 .0
9.8
6.4
7 .2
6.4
21. 4
19.2
16.2
285e
195
135
14.3
9.8
6.8
2.4
3.6
4.0
16. 7
13 . 4
10.8
2 PAR£NTS, 2 CH I LOREN
Oct. 16 - Feb. 14 • •• ••• .••••.•..
Feb. 15-Apr.15; Aug., 16- Oct.15.
Apr. 16 - Aug. 15 ...............
4
4
4
33oe
285
240
16.5
14.3
12 . 0
8.0
9.0
8.0
24.5
23.3
20.0
315e
240
180
15.8
12 .o
9.0
3. 0
4 .5
5.0
18.8
16.5
14.0
2 PARENTS, 3 CH I LOREN
Oct. 16 - Feb. 14 ••• • ..• . ••• • • •.
Feb. 15-Apr.15; Aug. 16- Oct. 15.
Apr. 16 - Aug . 15 •.•..• , •...•...
5
5
5
360e
330
285
18.0
16 .5
14.3
9.6
10.8
9.6
27.6
27 ,3
23.9
345e
285
225
17 ,3
14 .3
11.3
3.6
5.4
6.0
20.9
19 , 7
17 ,3
2 PAR£NTS, 4 OR 5 CH I LDR£N
Oct. 16 - Feb. 14 ...............
Feb. 15- Apr . 15 ; Aug. 16- Oct. 15.
Apr. 16 - Aug. 15 .............. .
6
6
6
390e
375
330
19.5
18.8
16.5
11.2
12.6
11.2
30. 7
31.4
27. 7
375e
330
270
18.8
16.5
13.5
4 .2
6.3
7.0
23.0
22.8
20.5
a
Electr ici ty requirements and costs must be computed on a monthly basis because consumption varies
with the seasons, andb l llsarerendered monthly.
Annual requ ir ementsbasedon twelve 30-day ffl()ntha
calculated from the figures in this table and average lftOnthly consumption are shown below.
Electricity use on five additional days per year would not e xcee d a total of 3j, kllowatt hours in the
largest family.
For practical purposes the quantity allowed In Table V for the ffiOnths FebruaryApril and August-October is a representative average monthly consumption ov.,. •• 12-l'ftOnth per-lod.
ENEltCUC T ST UOUO
NAINTUHCE STUDAltD
fANILT UNIT
2 Parents, I Chi Id , . • , . . ...
2 Parents, 2 Children . .....
2 Parents , 3 Children . . ....
2 Parents , 4 or 5 Children .
TOTAL IILOWUT
AV[UG[ I I LOWATf
TOT AL I I LOWA TT
U[UC[ 11 LOWA TT
HOUR S PEI TUI
HOURS PU MOITH
HOUffS P[R HAit
HOURS Pet NOITH
227
271
315
359
18 -9
164
22-6
26 , 5
197
232
265
29-9
13. 7
16,4
19.3
22. I
Exclusive of hal 1, and bathroom or toilet.
One out let per room ; 50-Watt lamp in each out let .
Prorated annual use as fol lows, tak i ng into account seasonal variations:
11 LOWAfT HOURS F'Olt-
e
Electric
Iron and Smal I Radio .. . ... . .. .
Electric
Iron only . . .. ......•...•. • ....
Z PU[IITS,
Z PHUTS ,
Z PU[NTS ,
Z PAff[ITS ,
l CHILD
Z CHI LDl[I
J CH I LDl[l
t Olt 5 CHI LOl(I
80
40
100
50
tncludes ten hours on each of six dark days per month when it
120
60
140
70
is estimated that one light will
be required continuous I y.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
36
QUANTITY BUDGETS
fixed amounts should be added to the annual electricity budget:
Maintenance
standard
Family unit
2 parents, 1
2 parents, 2
2 parents, 3
2 parents, q
$
child
children
children
or 5 children
1.05
1.25
1,q5
1.65
Emergency
standard
$
.85
1.05
1.25
1. q5
Electricity for domestic use· is sold at rates per kilowatt
hour, with a wide variety of bases for computing monthly cost.
The local rate may be one amount, covering all ordinary light
consumption or there may be a sliding scale, under which the
price declines as the amount goes up. Such items as number of
rooms, or floor area, may enter into rate specification and
there may be a minimum, meter, or service charge reg&rdless of
amount consumed. In computing monthly electricity costs, all
these factors must be taken into_ account, as well as the fact
that the estimated quantity use varies with the seasons. Annual cost is the sum of the monthly cost at different seasons.
For all practical purposes, however, consumption during the
spring and fall constitutes a sufficiently accurate monthly
average.
3.
Ice
Mechanical refrigeration is rarely found in the homes of industrial, service and other manual workers of small means.
The quantity of ice required exclusively for food preservation
depends, apart from efficiency of the refrigerator and care in
its use, on climatic conditions. Where summers are long and
hot more will be necessary than under reverse conditions, and
there are various gradations between maximum and minimum requi rements.
Number of persons in the family seems to have
little influence on ice consumption.
In establishing the ice budgets, the same climate groupings
were used as in setting up the fuel allowances, on the assumption that in most sections of the country ice is necessary during the months when fuel for room warming is not. These budgets are shown in Table VI. They provide estimates of minimum
necessary use at two standards of living, for periods of warm
weather varying from five to nine months per year.
Weekly
quantity consum~tion during these periods is identical for the
same standard of 1i ving. The emergency allowance assumes careful use for food preservation o'lly; the maintenance allowance
is slightly more liberal. Climates "A" and "B" have relatively
short or mild or short and mild summers; climate "C" has a somewhat longer and/or warmer summer, while climate "D" has the
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
37
STANDARDS
TABLE VI.
ICE REQUIRED PER YEAR IN FOUR DIFFERENT CLIMATES
"AINTENANCE STANDARD
ICE
"A" AHO "B"
CL t lilATES
"C"
EMERGENCY STANDARD
"D"
CLl"ATE
CL '"ATE
"C"
"011
CL '"ATE
CLIMATE
'A" ANO "8 11
CL I MATES
Number of Months Required . ... .. ........
5
7
9
5
7
9
Pounds Required oer Week ..... . ....... . .
150
150
150
' 125
125
125
Total Pounds Required per Year ••.••• . ..
3240
4545
5B50
2700
TABLE VII.
4875
3787. 5
HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES REQUIRED PER YEAR BY FAMILIES OF SPECIFIED SIZE
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
I CHILD
2 CHI LOREN
3 CHI LOREN
AVERAGE
UNIT
ITE"
Soap (Ki tchenl ... ..••.
Lb.
.
.
Soap (Laundry) •.••..••
Soap Powcte r .•• • . •• , .. •
2 PARENTS,
• CHILDREN
2 PARENTS, ·
5 CHILDREN
UN IT ~U"BER NINUAL ~U.. BER A.NNUAL NUMA ER ANNUAL NUMBER ANNUAL ~U .. BER ANNUAL
OF
OF
OF
OF
OF
PRICE
COST
COST
COST
COST
COST
UNI TS
UNITS
UN I TS
UN I TS
UNITS
$
16
$
21
$
26
42
31
~
$
31
52
1
36
62
73
11
H
18
22
25
25
34
42
so
59
Starch • •••••• • .•••••••
.
.
Bluing (Bottle) •••••.•
7 oz .
• 10
4
. 40
5
.so
6
. 60
7
• 70
8
.80
Anmonia (Bottle) ..• •••
12 oz .
j""·
. 10
4
. 40
5
. 50
6
.60
7
. 70
8
.80
. 05
18
.90
24
1. 20
30
1. 50
36
1.80
42
2.10
13 oz .
.15
6
.90
6
.90
6
.90
6
.90
6
. 90
5 oz .
1000
sheets
.10
6
.60
6
.60
6
. 60
6
.6D
6
. 60
. 05
30
1.50
40
2.00
50
2.50
60
3.00
70
3. 50
Soap Flakes . . •... • •.. •
"°"" ~ '°""" ce~1.
Lye (Can) .......... ...
Insect Powder (Can) ...
Toil et Paper (Roll) •••
--
2
4
3
5
6
TOTAL (Maintenance
Standard) •. •
-
-
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
90 Percent of Total
(Emergency Standard)..
-
-
-
$
-
1
-
$
-
$
-
$
TABLE VIII.
ALLOWANCE FOR MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS OF HOUSEHOLD OPERATION REQUIRED PER YEAR
BY FAMILIES OF SPECIFIED SIZE
MAINTENANCE STANOA.R:0
FAMILY UNIT
2 Parents, 1 Chi Id •••••••• •• ••.••••• ..
c°""°
DI Tl ES
$
SERVICES
$
EWERGENCY STANDARD
C0""'01)..
TOTAL
I Tl ES
$
. 90
TOTAL
SERVICES
1.65
$ 2. 60
2 Parents, 2 Chi 1dren •• •••• •. • •.••.•• •
1.15
1.90
3.05
1. 10
1.65
2. 75
2 Parents, 3 Children ..... . ...... .. . . .
1.35
2 .15
3.50
1.30
1.85
3.15
2 Parents, 4 Ch i ldren ••• •••••••••• ••• .
1. 55
2.40
3.95
1.50
2. 05
3.55
2.65
4.40
1. 70
2. 25
3.95
2 Parents , 5 Children ............ . ....
.95
1. 75
$
1.45
$
2.35
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
38
longest and warmest summer specified.
No differentiation is
made on the basis of number of persons in the family.
It is not claimed that the ice allowances will always be
necessary as scheduled, but the total quantity per year is a
fair representation of average requirements under four types
of climatic conditions. More may be used per week but for
fewer weeks or less per week over a longer period of time. In
those places where even in summer high temperatures are . not the
rule, it is possible that ice is seldom used by families of
small means, and where winter temperatures rarely touch the
freezing point, families at a comparable economic level may require ice throughout the year. To the ~xtent that fuel and ice
use· is complementary, annual cost of the two combined should
present a consistent average.
4.
Household Supplies
Household supplies include materials for cleaning, laundry,
and miscellaneous i terns of household use. The quantities listed
in Table VII represent average requirements for families of
specified size. The division among four kinds of soap is not
identical for the five separate family groups, but the total
soap allowance for each size family is representative of average annual requirements computed on a per capita basis. Housewives undoubtedly will distribute this to confor11 with their
individual preferences or needs.
The total cost of the items specified represents what is requi red for household supplies in a maintenance budget. Small
savings may be made through sacrifice of certain standards, but
these cannot be specified. A discount of 10 percent is probably
all that can be deducted for this purpose, as a basis for computing emergency costs.
5.
Telephone, Postaee, Wrtttnt Katertals, ltc.
Quantity use of postage, telephone calls, telegrams, writing
materials, and the like means l~ttle when itemized in a lowcost family budget, and other unspecified essentials of household operation will certainly involve some outlay within a year,
although their exact nature cannot be stated in advance. To
provide for these needs, a small sum is included in the budget
for each size family, without reference to the exact purpose
for which it will be used, except that division is made between
commodities and services, so that, where a sales tax is levied,
it may be applied to the former and not the latter. The amounts
suggested as annual costar~ as shown in Table VIII.
6,
Water
Provision for water as a separate item of necessary cost
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
39
must be made in the budget only where it is a direct charge on
the family and is not one of the services paid for in house
tent. Among industrial, service and other manual workers of
small means, tenants do not pay separately for water in many
localities. In some places, however, it is customary for them
to be billed for all water used, and, in others, they pay for
the excess over a stated minimum.
Water bills may be rendered monthly or quarterly, and use
may be measured in terms of gallons or cubic feet. By whatever method cost is determined, it is probable that for f amilies of small means, the minimum charge ordinarily will supply
all the water required at either the maintenance or the emergency standard of living. Hence, except under unusual circumstances, tl)is amount should be allowed for families of any size,
if the cost of water is paid directly by the consumer.
7.
Refuse Dtsposal
In some local! ties, householders pay for the disposal of
ashes, garbage and other trash as a direct charge; in others,
the cost of refuse disposal is taken care of in the real property tax. Where a fee for this purpose is customarily paid
by inctustrial , service and other manual workers of small means,
provision for it must be included in the family budget.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
E.
Furniture, Furnishings and Household Equipment
Average requirements for furniture~ furnishings and equipment at any point of time depend on the size and composition
of the family, the type of home occupied, the number and use
of the rooms and facilities locally available for household
operation, such as fuel and light. Hence, for any given purpose, a variety of items must often be considered in order
that a choice may be made to suit the local situation.
The housing and facilities for heat and light already described form the basis for estimating requirements in the furni ture, furnishings and equipment budgets, namely, kitchen, living room, bathroom or toilet, andone bedroom for each two persons, warmed by coal or wood stoves in winter, with gas as
supplementary . fuel for cooking, and light and operation of
small household appliances by electricity. Where check of local conditions reveals that different fuels or light media are
used, necessary changes in the furniture, furnishings and equipment budgets must also be made, as the basis for computing annual cost.
Replacement costs differ greatly according as the item to
be purchased is a piece of heavy furniture, a kitchen knife or
a bath towel. Average durability also covers a widely varying
time sp-an. Two methods of ascertaining a representative annual allowance for furniture, furnishings and equipment may be
used. One is to estimate reasonable periods of wear for each
item considered necessary for simple housekeeping, express annual cost of each as the appropriate fraction of initial cost
and compute the total, as was done in the case of clothing.
The other is to list all the goods necessary for housekeeping,
and express annual cost of upkeep as a percentage of the total
initial cost.
The percentage of initial cost method has been used here,
because of its simplicity and because it avoid.s assignment of
definite durability standards to each item, the probahl, wear
of which is necessarily dependent on a number of unknown variables.
The ratio of annual replacement to initial cost suggested
by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics in its minimum quantity budget necessary to maintain health and decency
is 7 percent. 1 This is based on a study of replacements by
families with incomes $1;500-$2,100 in 1918, equivalent roughly
to $1,200-$1,700 in 193!5, The Heller Committee for Research
in Social Economics of the University of California in 193q
allowed as annual replacement between !5 and 6 percent of initial cost of furniture· and furnishings, in a wage-earner's
1
HontblY Labor Revle", June 1920, pp, 13-18,
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
budget for a family of five persons, the total annual cost of
which was about $1,525 in 1934. 1 The i terns included in this
furniture and furnishings list also were selected in pre-depression years.
For purposes of the present budget it was assumed that immediate use rather than length of service would necessarily
control choice of furniture, furnishings and equipment, and
that durability would be somewhat less than might be expected
of better quality merchandise sold at higher prices. In the
list is included a large group of i terns which may be obtained
at any local 5-10-20-cent store. Few of these commodities are
standardized as to quality. Hence, some prices at the chain
stores may be higher than would be found locally in neighborhood stores, some may be lower; of other articles. the quality
may not be identical with that of articles serving the same
purpose, sold in neighborhood stores at comparable prices.
There is no reason to suppose, however, that total cost would
not average up sufficiently to justify this procedure, which
mat~rially reduces the field work required in pricing the budget. It is assumed that no second-hand equipment would be
purchased.
Because oi the inexpensive grade of merchandise called for
in the budget, annual replacement is to be calculated as 10
percent of initial cost for the maintenance budget and 6 percent for the emergency budget. The method, then, necessitates
pricing each i tern on the list of furniture, furnishings and
equipment required for normal housekeeping, multiplying the
average price of each by the estimated necessary initial stock,
totaling tlieir cost and expressing annual charges as IO percent
of total initial cost for the maintenance budget and 6 percent
for the emergency budget. Where a sales tax is of local application, it should be computed as the appropriate percentage of annual replacement cost.
The initial stock of furniture, furnishings and equipment
required for housekeeping in families of industrial, service
and other manual workers of small means is contained in Table IX.
Some of the articles in the list may be considered superfluous,
even for the maintenance budget, but what these are will usually
depend on individual p!'eferences. Most of them are low-cost
i terns to be purchased in the limited-price chain stores, and
their omission will mean that for the remaining articles a somewhat better quality may be obtained.
1 Reller Coulttee· tor Reaearcb ln Soctal Econoalcs, CkiantltY and Cost
Budgets, •• UnlversltY ot Calltornla, Berkeley, February 10!6, p, :53.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
42
QUANTITY BUDGETS
TABLE
IX .
FURNITURE ANO FURNISHINGS REQUIRED AS INITIAL EQUIPMENT, AND REPLACEMENT COST PER YEAR
FOR FAMILIES OF SPECIFIED SIZE
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2
I CHILO
2
'
•
5 CHILDREN
CH I LOREN
AVERAGE
UNIT
INITIAL
PRICE
EQUIP-
ITE"
MENT
CH I LOREN
CHILDREN
PARENTS ,
OTAL INITIAL TOTlL INITIAL ITOTAL INITIAL TOTAL NITIAL TOTAL
COST EQUIP- COST EQUIP- COST EQUIP- COST EQUIP- COST
ME:IIT
MENT
"ENT
MENT
LI VJ NG ROOM AND BEDROOM
L iving Room Rug ....... . . .... .. $
1
1
Living Room Heater ............
I 24 in . ) ••• . •••••••
.15
Stove Pipe (Elbow) ... . ........
.15
.10
Stove Pi pe
Dampe r . . •••••. .. . • •••• . ••.•••••
Pipe Collar ..•• •••••••• • ••••••
Stove Board ......... ..........
Poke r .••• ..• ••.••• • • •••. • •.••.
.05
1.50
. 10
.20
1
1
1
1
1
.20
1
1
1
1
1
Liv ing Room Table .............
Tab I e Runner ........... . .... ..
Upholstered Chai r ...... .......
Rocker or Arm Chai r ... ..... . ..
Straight Wood Chair . .... ......
Table Lamp ........ .. ..........
Lamp Shade .. .......... .. ......
3
1
1
1
$
. 45
.15
.10
Co t .......... .... . ... . .. ... .. .
Doub I e Bed Spring ......... . . ..
Bedroom Chair .................
. 45
3
. 45
1
1
. 15
. 10
1
1
• 15
.10
.05
.05
1.50
. 10
. 05
1.50
. 10
1
1
1
.05
1.50
. 10
.20
1
1
1
1
1
. 20
1
1
.20
.20
2
1
2
1
1
.20
2
1
2
1
1
.20
. 10
1
1
.10
1
1
. 10
.20
.20
1
1
2
1
1
.20
Double Bed .... . ....... . .......
3
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
. 20
Mirror ..... .... .... .. .. . . . •.. .
. 45
.20
-
2
1
2
1
2
s
.15
.10
1
-
1
1
1
1
. 20
.10
s
3
1
1
1
1
1
Bureau with Mirror ... .. ..... ..
.10
Bed room Rug .. .. .......... . .. . .
1
1
. 45
1.50
.10
1
1
2
1
1
s
.15
. 10
1
1
1
1
Ches t of Drawers ..... . .... . . . .
Wasteb~sket. .•••• . •. • • ••.• •• ••
3
1
1
.05
1.50
. 10
1
1
1
1
Radio .........................
1
1
$
1
.10
. 40
1
1
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
.40
3
3
2
2
2
2
3
2
2
2
.6(
3
3
. 60
1
3
3
3
2
1
5
10
6
2
2
6
10
10
3
1
7
15
6
15
18
21
3
4
4
3
2
1
4
2
2
4
BEDDING ANO LINEN
Ooubl e Bed Yattress ... .. ......
Co t Mattress . .. • ..• • • • .. •• ••• •
1
1
1
2
Bed Pi I low . .......... . ... .. ...
3
4
Ooubl e Bed Sheet. .. ....... ....
6
6
6
10
9
2
2
1
1
12
3
3
Cot Sheet. . • ••.• • ..•••. ••••• ••
Pi 11 ow Case ••• •• . ••••..•••• •.•
Wool Blankets (pr. ) ••..•• • ••••
Cotton Comforter ... .. .... .....
Double Bed Sp read. •..• : ••• • •• •
Cot
or Couch Cover .. ... ... . . . .
Bath Towel ........ . ...........
. 20
9
Cot t on Huck Towel . .. ... .. ... ..
.15
. 15
.05
9
Cotton Di sh Towel .••.• • • .•••..
Wash Cloth ....................
Tab I e Clo th ...... ...... .. .. ...
Napkins .. . . . ................ , .
4
9
1
6
1
2
1.80
1.35
.60
.45
12
12
6
12
1
8
2.40
1.00
. 90
.60
15
15
6
15
1
10
3.00
2. 25
. 90
. 75
18
18
8
18
1
12
3
1
3,60
2. 70
1.20
.90
21
21
8
18
1
12
4 .20
3.15
1. 20
. 90
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
q3
STANDARDS
TABLE IX. - (Cont inued )
2 PARENTS, ,
I CHILD
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS,
2 PARENTS ,
2 PARENTS,
2 CHILDREN
3 CHILDREN
CH I LOREN
5 CH I LOREN
•VERAGE
ITEM
UNIT
INITIAL
PRICE
EQUIPMENT
!TOTAL
COST
INITIAL
EQUIP-
MENT
IN I T I Al
TOTAL
COST
'
INITIAL
INITIAL
EQUIP- !TOTAL EQUIP- TOTAL EQUIP- !TOTAL
COST
COST
COST
MENT
MENT
MENT
DISHES ANO CUTLERY
Large Pitcher . . . ..... . .... . .... $ . 20
1
$ .20
1
$ .20
1
$ . 20
1
$ . 20
1
$ . 20
~11 Pitcher . . ..... . .. . •. .. . . .
. 10
1
.10
1
.10
1
.10
1
.10
1
. 10
1
.10
. 10
1
1
.10
.10
1
1
. 10
. 20
:~~:r
a:w~~~~~~· ~~~~~~:· i~~:;:: I
.10
. 10
1
.10
1
. 10
2
. 20
2
.20
2
Drinking Glass . .. . . . . . .. . .. ... .
.03!
9
. 3('
12
. 40
15
.50
1B
. 60
1B
.60
Cup and Saucer .. .. .... . . . . ... .. I
. 10
9
. 90
12
1.20
15
1.50
16
1.60
17
1. 70
Dinner Plate ...... . .. .. . . . .... · I
Dessert Plate .. . . .. . .... . ... .. .
.15
6
.90
B
1. 20
10
1. 50
12
1.80
12
1.BO
. 10
6
. 60
B
10
1. 00
12
1. 20
12
1. 20
. 10
.60
. 40
8
10
. 40
z-
3
1.20
.60
12
2
1.00
.40
12
.20
6
2
.BO
.BO
1.20
.60
.15
. 30
3
1
. 45
4
.60
4
. 60
. 10
.10
1.20
1
12
. 10
1. 00
1
12
1.20
1.00
12
1. 20
12
1.20
Cereal Dish or Soup Plate ..... .
Pl at ter . . .• . ... . . . ... . . ... , .. . .
3
Vegetabl e Di s h . . ... . .. .... .. • ..
Gravy Bowl . . . . ... .. . .... .... .. .
Table Knife ... . .. . . ....... • .. . .
2
. 30
2
.10
1
.10
1
. 10
6
. 60
8
Table Fork .. ..... . .. .. .... ..•. .
.10
6
. 60
8
.10 1
.80
10
10
Tablespoon .. . .. . ....... . ... .. ..
.10
3
.30
3
.30
3
.30
3
.30
3
. 30
Teaspoon .. • . ..... ... .. .. .. .. . ..
. 10
9
. 90
1
15
1
1.50
. 40
1
1.60
. 40
1
1.60
. 40
Sci ssors . . ... . .... . . . . .. .. .. . . ,
. 20
1
·!O
.20
1.20
. 40
16
. 40
12
1
16
Carving Kn i fe and Fork . . . . . ... •
1
.20
1
. 20
1
.20
1
.20
.soi
Kl TCHEN EQU I Pt.l<NT
Felt Base Rug ..... .. .. . .. ......
Coal Range (6 Ho le , Oven) . . . ...
Coal Ran ge (4 Ho le , Oven) . ... ..
Stove Pipe (24 i n. ) . .. . . .... . . .
Stove Pioe (El bo w) .....• ... .. ..
Danper .... . .. . . . . . . . . ... ... . ...
Pipe Collar ... .. .. .. ... .. . . . .. .
Stove Lid Lifter . . .. . .. .. . . . . . .
Coal Shovel. . .. . .. .... • .. ... .. ,
1
-
1
1
1
1
1
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
. 45
3
1
. 45
3
1
. 45
. 15
3
1
. 10
1
.10
. 05
1
. 10
1
1
. 10
1
.05
. 10
1
.10
1
1
1
1
. 45
1
. 15
3
1
.10
1
.10
1
. 05
.10
1
.05
. 10
1
1
. 05
. 10
1
. 10
1
1
. 10
1
.10
.30
1
1
. 30
1
1
1
1
1
1
.30
1
1
.10
. 10
1
1
1
1
. 60
2
2
1
.60
2
2
1
.10
1
.10
.10
.05
1
.10
1
.10
1
1
1
.05
.OS
. 10
1
. 10
1
1
. 10
1
1
.30
1
.10
.10
1
1
2
2
.30
1
1
.10
.10
.10
Oi sh Pan .. . .. .. . . . .. . . . .. . .. .. .
Di sh Drainer . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . ..
.10
1
1
Towel Rack . .... . .. . . .. . .. . •. . ..
Sink Stra i ner . ... . . ... .. .... . . .
1
1
. 30
1
1
2
1
1
. 30
1
. 10
. 10
1
1
.10
.10
1
1
. 60
. 10
1
1
1
.15
. 05
.10
1
Soap Dish .. . .... ... .. . ... . . .. . .
Di sh Mop ... . .. .. . . . ... . ... .. . . .
Sink Brush . . . . . . .. . ..... . .. . .. .
Sink Shovel . . . . . .... .. . . .. . ... .
. 10
1
1
1
1
Kitchen Chair . . . ... .. . ..... . .. .
. 15
1
1
. 10
. 10
.15
1
1
Refr igerator .. • ... .. . . ....... . .
Kitchen Table . . .. . . . .. .. . . . . . ..
Oi I Cloth (54 in . , yd.) . . . . •...
. 45
1
-
3
Po rtab I e Oven . . . . . .... .... . . .. •
Refrigerator Pan . .. .. • .. . .. . . ..
lee Pi ck .... .. ... . .. . . . . . . . ... .
-
. 15
. 15
Coal Scuttle .. . . . . . . . . .. .. . ... .
Ash Can .. . . ... . . . . . . . . ... .. .. ..
Gas Plate 12 Burner) ... . . .. ....
Gas Tubing (6 ft . ) . ... .. . .. .. ..
1
-
. 60
2
. 60
3
3
.10
1
. 10
1
. 10
1
1
.10
. 05
1
. 10
1
.10
. 05
1
. 05
1
.10
1
. 10
1
. 10
. 10
1
. 10
1
. 10
1
. 10
1
. 10
1
.10
. 20
.20
1
1
1
. 20
.20
.20
1
.20
1
1
!.
1
. 20
. 20
.20
.20
. 20
. 20
1
. 20
1
1
1
1
. 20
. 20
. 20
. 20
1
1
. 20
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
44
TABLE IX .
- (Con t inued)
2 PARENTS,
I CH IL O
2 PARENTS,
2 CH I LOREN
2 PARENTS ,
3 CH I LOREN
2 P•RENTS,
2 PARENT S,
4 CHI LOREN
5 CH I LOREN
AVERAGE
ITEM
UN IT
INITIAL
PRICE
EQUIP-
MEN T
IN IT IAL
TOTAi EQUIPCOST
MENT
Soap Shaker ..... . .. ... • .. ••. . .. $
.10
~
COST
. 10
INIT IAi
EQUIP- TOTAL EQUIP- TOTAL EQU IP- OTA L
MENT
,.ENT COST
COST
MENT
COST
T
I$.10
KI TCHEN [ QU I ™E NT (Continued)
INITIAL
INITIAL
TOTAL
$.10
$ . 10
1 . 10
Garbage Pa, l •. • ••• ••. •.• . • •...•
Br ead Box . . • • • ••.. ••. ....• •. ...
1
1
Tea Kett le .•••••. . .•. •• ..•..•. .
1
1
Large Kett le wi th Cove r .. . . ....
.35
.20
.JS
.JS
..35
Tea Pot ••.•••. . ••.•• . •••• •. . . . .
l
.20
. 20
.20
.35
. 20
1
. 20
Sauce Pan .... . . .•............ ..
. 15
2
.60
Cof'ee Pot. ........ ..... .......
.JS
3
.45
3
.45
.60
4
3
.30
3
.30
. 40
4
.40
. 30
.30
1
.30
1
. 10
Pot Cover .. ... . .... ... . .... . .. .
.10
. 30
. 20
Double Boile r ......... .. ... . .. :
.30
. 30
Cak e Pan .••.. . .. .•. . ... . .......
. 20
.20
Pi e Pan •• •••••• . • . • •••• • . • • . •.•
. 10
.lU
1
.20
.10
~u f fin Pan . . ....••... .... ... .. .
.20
.20
2
Bread Pan •.• • .. • .• . •..•.••.•• . •
. 10
.20
2
Casserole or Baking Pan .. . . ....
. 20
. 20
Roasting Pan . .... .. .. .. . . .. .. ..
.so
.50
1
2
.30
.20
.20
. 20
1
.10
.4 0
2
. 40
2
. 40
2
. 40
.20
3
. 30
3
.30
3
,30
.50
1
.50
. 40
2
1
. 20
.20
.50
.40
1
.10
.20
.20
.20
1
.50
1
2
.40
2
Fry i ng Pan . . . . . ... • ....•• .. .. . .
. 20
.20
Mixing Bowl . ....... . . . ... . .. . ..
.20
. 20
Co l ander ...... • • . ••. .•.•.••.•••
.15
.15
Chopp i ng Sowl . ..... . .. ... . .. ...
. 20
.20
Cho pp i ng Kn i fe .... ....... •. ....
. 15
. 10
.15
. 15
Potat o !.lasher •••• .•.• •• • • • .....
Egg -~ater ••• • .. . .•.. • .• •••• .. •
, 15
. 10
.15
.10
.15
Grater . .. .... . ........ .... ... ..
.15
.15
.15
. 15
.15
.15
Large Strainer . . . . . ... ..... . ...
.10
.10
.10
.10
.10
.10
.05
.05
.05
.05
.20
.20
.20
. 10
.10
.10
Tea St rainer .........• .. .. .....
.OS
Molding Soar d .. . ... . . ... . .. . ...
. 20
.05
. 20
Rolling Pi n.......... .. .. ..... .
.10
.10
. 40
. 20
.20
. 20
1
. 15
.15
.15
. 15
1
.20
.20
.20
.20
.15
.15
1
1
.15
.10
1
.10
. 10
. 15
1
.15
.15
.20
1
. 10
Flour Siev e .... ... . ... .• ..... ..
. 20
. 20
1
. 20
.20
1
.20
1
. 20
leinon Saueezer . ........ . ... .. ..
.15
.15
1
.15
.15
1
. 15
1
.15
Toaster ... . . ...... .......... . . .
.10
.10
1
.10
Mix i ng Spoon ......... . . ..... . ..
. 10
.10
1
.10
Vegetable Knife . .. ..... • . .. . ..•
. 10
. 10
2
.20
Pancake Turner . ..... . .. •... . . ..
.10
.10
.10
Measur i ng Cup • . • •• . .. •. •• •• . . • .
.w
. 10
.10
.10
Can&Sottle Opener, Cock Screw.
.10
.1 0
.10
.10
Kn i fe Sh.:trpener . .. . . ..... .. . . ..
.10
. 10
.10
.10
Ve~et ab le Brush . . .... ; .. . ..... .
.10
. 10
.10
. 10
1
2
. 10
1
. 10
.10
1
.10
1
.10
. 20
2
.20
2
.20
.10
1
.10
1
.10
. 10
. 10
.10
1
.10
. 10
.10
. 10
.10
. 10
LAUNDRY AND CLEANING EQUIH.4[NT
Wash Tub ...•••.•.• . ..••.•.•. . .•
2
2
2
2
2
Wash Board . . . . ..... . ...... . . . ..
Cloth es Wr inge r ....... •... . .. . .
Clothes So i le r . .. ... •• ..•• •.•••
1
Electric Iron ............ . .....
1
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
TABLE IX. - (Continued )
2 PARENTS ,
I CHILO
2 PARENTS,
2 CH I LOREN
2 PARENT S ,
3 CH I LOREN
2 PARENTS,
4 CH I LOREN
2 PARENTS ,
5 CH I LOREN
AVERAGE
ITEM
UN IT
PRI CE
IN IT I AL
INITIAL
INITIAL
I NIT I AL
EQUIP- TOTAL EQUIP- TOTAL EQUIP- TOTAL EQUIP- TOTAL EQUIP- TOTAL
COS
T
COST
COST
COST
COST
MENT
MENT
MENT
MENT
INITIAL
MENT
LAUNDRY ANO CLEAN I NG EQU I NENT
(Continued)
Iron ing Ooard .•. . . •. . ..•..... . $
1
Clothes Gasket. .•..... . .•.... •
1
$
1
1
$
1
$
$
1
1
$
1
1
1
Clothes Line (50 ft.) . .. . • •...
.20
1
. 20
1
. 20
1
. 20
2
. 40
2
. 40
Clotncs Pins (40) ... • •. .. . • ...
. 10
1
.10
1
. 10
1
. 10
2
. 20
2
. 20
1
. 25
1
. 25
1
.10
1
. 10
n oo r Mop .. . ... . .. . ..•.. , . •...
. 25
1
. 25
1
. 25
1
. 25
Mop Handle . ... .. . . .. ... .......
.10
1
.10
1
. 10
1
. 10
Bropm • . .•. . ... . ..• • . .. . . .. . . ..
1
1
1
2
2
Dust Pan . .... . . ....•.•... . ....
. 10
1
.10
1
.10
1
.10
1
. 10
1
. 10
Floor Brush ..... . .. . ...• . . .•..
. 20
1
. 20
1
.20
1
.20
1
.20
1
. 20
Scrub Brush . ... . . • • . .. , . ... . ..
. 10
1
1
.10
1
.10
1
. 10
1
.10
Sc r ub Pa i I . . . .. .. . ... . . • .•• . .•
. 20
1
1
.20
1
.20
1
. 20
1
.20
Window Shade and Roi I er . ... ...
.3C
3
. 90
4
1.20
5
1. 50
6
1.80
6
1.80
Window Sc reen .. . ...... . ..... . .
. 50
3
1.50
4
2.00
5
2.50
6
3 . 00
6
3 . 00
Window Curtain Mate ri a l ( yd.) .
.15
6
.90
8
1. 20
10
1. 50
12
1. 80
12
1.80
Cu rta in Rod and F i xtu res . .. ...
• 10
. JO
4
.40
5
. 50
6
. 60
6
Wardrobe Curtain Mater i al (yd.)
.15
3
4
.60
8
1.20
12
1.80
16
2 .40
16
2.40
1.00
. 10
. 20
I
OTHER EQU I l'MENT
. 60
Alarm Clock . . . . . . . .. . .... ... . .
1.00
1
1.00
1
1.00
1
1.00
1
1.00
1
Wash Basin ..... .. ....•... .. ...
. 20
1
. 20
1
.20
1
. 20
1
.20
1
.20
Towel Ba r s . .. .. . .. . . . ... . . . .. .
.20
1
. 20
2
. 40
2
.40
3
.60
3
. 60
-Mouse Trap .. .. . . .. . • .. . ... . ...
.02,
2
. 05
2
.05
2
. 05
2
. 05
2
. 05
Hanmer .. ... .. . . ...... . . • . . .. , .
.20
1
.20
1
.20
1
. 20
1
. 20
1
.20
Sc rew Ori ve r .. . .. . .. . . ........
.20
1
.20
1
. 20
1
.20
1
. 20
1
.20
Hatchet. ... .. .... . .. • . ... . ... .
TOTAL .•.••. • • . • ..•
-
0
1
1
1
1
1
I
-
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
-
-
$
-
$
-
I$
-
$
-
$
.
Annual Cost: 10 Percent of Total
Cos t o f ln i t ial Equipment
(Maintenance Stand a rd) .. .. . . ... .
Annual Cost:
6 Pe rcent of Total
Cost of Initial Equipment
I Emergency Standard) . • ...... . • .•
a
This budget is constructed on the assumpt io n that coat,
coke or wood will be used for fuel
in the
kitchen and I iving room stoves f or room warming, cooking ano water heating during the winter, with
gas as supplementary fuel
will be used for
for cooking and water heat ing during the summer,
I ight and operation Of small appl lances .
representative fuel or
budget must be maoe .
and that ele c t r icity
In l ocal itles where these are not the
I ight media, necessary c hanges in the furniture,
furnishings anci equipment
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
F. Med ica 1 Care
The ki-nd and quantityofmedical care requiredbyany one individual or family within a year cannot be estimated, but for
large population groups of both sexes and all ages, lifetime
needs may be predicted. Hence, an annual budget for JT1edical
care can be made only in terms of general averages; for individuals or families, the cost thus measured may be greatly excessive or totally inadP.quate in any one year, but over aperiod of years the cumulated amount should be sufficient either
to amortize debts or provide a reserve for the future.
In order to estimate the minimum cost of necessary medical
care in the family budgets of industrial, service and other
manual workers of small means, not all the services which might
be required are listed, but only samples of the wide variety of
needs which may occur in the course of a lifetime. These samples are so weighted, however, as to represent the incidence
of their entire class .
In Table X, for example, tonsillectomies and appendectomies represent all surgical cases; medicines listed represent drugs, appliances and miscellaneous sundries. The weights represent expected annual service per 1,000
persons. For th~ lifetime needs of each individual, prorated
to an annual bas is, cos ts are to be computed as one one-thous a nd th of the group cost.
Certain limitations on this method of settipg up an annual
medical care budget are at once apparent. The fact that lifetime needs are prorated to an annual basis means that . in the
life of any one individual there will be periods when the service could not possibly be required, or the weights assigned
to the service would be utterly unrepresentative. This is
particularly true of families consisting of two adults and
young children, for whom the present budgets are constructed.
If, h™ever, the services listed are regarded as samples chosen
to provide representative cost estimates, and if the cost thus
computed is regarded as one year's share of the payment for
medica1 car;e sooner or later to be required, the difficulty
disappears and the method appears reasonable.
The services listed in Table X make up a fair sample of minimum medical care requirements. There are ways, however, in
which even this minimum may possibly be reduced in a period of
economic stress. The- course most easily chosen is to omit
routine or even non-emergency necessary care. Th is JTIUS t be
given eventually, however, and need not be considered here.
In many cities clinics offer services on a pay basis or in exchange for permission to use the case material for teaching or
other educational purposes, for a lower cost than the going
rate charged for ~ identical services by private practitioners.
Even the latter, of course, scale their charges in accord with
the ability of the patient to pay. Bence, it is possible that,
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
TABLE X.
MINIIIM MEDICAL SERVICES REQUIRED PER YEAR PER 1,000 PERSONSa
EXPECTED ANNUAL
SERVICE PER
I, 000 PERSONS
SERVICE
ANNUAL COST
PER 1,000
PERSONS
RATE PER
SERVICE
PHYSICIAN
House Call ...... . ................. . ... .. . .... . . . .
900
Office Visit ..... .. .... . ...... ..... . .... .... . ... .
1400
Obstetrical Care . ........................ ... .... .
20
Appendectomyb••••••• • • • ••• .•• •••• ••• ••••.•••• • .• .
8
Tonsi 1l ectomyb•• •• •••••• •.••• ••• ••• . • ••••••• • ••••
32
$
$
NURSI NG CARE
House Cal 1... . ... . . .. .. .... ......... . . . .. . ...... .
400
DENTISTc
Cleaning , ............ .... . , •••••••••.. • ••. ,, •• , .,
.300
Two-surface Amalgam Fi 11 i119 . . . ...... .. . .. ... .. .. .
200
Extract ion ••• •.• , . ... .. .. ... . .... . .. .... ......... .
100
OPTCJJETR I ST
Eye Refract ion .. .. . .. . .. ..... ... . ........ . . .. . . . . .
25
Glasses. Pair Lenses and Frame . ..... . ... .... . ... .
25
HOSPITAL
Day i n Pay Ward ••• • •••. .. •• ••• ••• •• •• • •.•. • • • • .••
1000
MEOICINEd
Iodine (1 oz.) • • • • ••••.•••.•.• •••••• •••••.•••••• •
250
Cough Syrup (3 oz.) •• . • . • • ••• . •. . •.••• ....• ••.••.
500
Cold Ointment
la
oz.) ••••• ••• •• •• •••••• ••• • • .•• •
500
Mi 1k of Magnesia (16 oz. ) • ••••• . • •••••••••• •• • ••.
250
Laxative (18 tablets) •.. . ••..• • •••..•• • • •.. • .. • ••
500
Aspirin (5-ilr, tablets. 24), .. . .. . ..... .. . . . . . . .. .
500
Prescription ( 1iqu i d J . . . . ....... . . , ., ••••• •••••••
500
s
TOTAL- ••••• , ........ . .
Annual Cost Per Person (Maintenance Standard) ... ... ... .. . . . .................... .. . .. ..
$
J..... .... .... ... .............
i
90 Percent of Annual Cost Per Person (Emergency Standard
a
This table was prepared byG . St.J . Perrott of the Un it ed States Publ i c
otherwise stated, estimates
of
expected
annual
services
were
made
Health
from
Service .
data in
1.
Unless
S . Falk,
Margaret C. Klem, and Nathan Sinai, "The Incidence of 11 lness and the Receipt and Costs of' Medical Care Mong Representative Fami I ies", the .Committee on the Costs of Jri6edical Care , Publ I cation No . 26, Chicago, 19}3, The data used were, in general, the volume of services received by
families with annual
incorwes between Sl.200 and $2,000.
b
Est i mated from unpublishect data of the C()flWllitteeonthe Costs of Medical Care. Actual incidence
of appendect0111ies is about 5 per 1.000 persons per year; tonsi I and adenoid operations, 20 per
1,000 persons per year ; all surg i cal cases, 60 per 1,000 persons per year . The figures given
in the table are not actual case rates but are weights to approximate the average cost of al I
eurgleal eases, using only the costs of appendectomies and tons I I leetOfllies .
c
Fr-oM unpubl ishecl data of the Corrmittee on the Costs of Wedi cal Care, for fami ti es with annual
lneo,11es between Sl,200 and S2.000, adjusted to g i ve greater weight to cleaning and less to
extract I ona.
d
we i ghts est i mated .
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
48
QUANTITY BUDGETS
in estimating the cost o! medical care in the maintenance budget on the basis of the prevailing fees for the services listed
in Table X, a small discount may be taken as a means of estimating the cost of medical care in the emergency budget, without reference to the particular method by which it will be applied. This is arbitrarily placed so that the cost of the
emergency budget medical care will be 90 percent of the cost
of the maintenance budget medical care.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STAND ARDS
G,
l.19
Transportation
Requiremen ts for transportation a re peculiar to individua l
families and average demand can be estimated only in a general
way for inclusion in a standard budget. The head of the household may or may not live ne a r the place of his employment; the
children may or may not attend school in the neighbor hood; retail stores, recre ation, medi cal care, and similar servic es
may or may not be within walking dist ance of the home . In
cities with a large land area, where publ ic facili-ties for
transportation are nume rous, and resi dential, i ndustrial and
shopping areas are scattered, larger out lay for transportation
may be necessary than in smaller places where distances a re not
so great, transportation facilities a re less numerous and the
habit of walking is more common.
An automobile is not included in the budget for industrial,
service and other man ual workers of small mea ns, hence nec essary transportatio n cost must be calculated in terms of use
and charges of public conveyances . If this is used for rices
in or operation of a private automob ile, the same purpose will
be served . The allowance for carfare in both budgets i s computed as the sum of average costs of transportation to wo rk
and to school, plus provision for unspecified transportati on
needs.
Full-time employme nt for the man throughout the year ( 306
days) is ass urned , but the estimate of the cost of trans por t at ion to school must take into account the number of days on
which this service is required and the number of children in
the family for whom it must be paid . For the most part, c hildren in the elementary grades attend schools ne ar their homes
but carfare is not infreque ntly required by children in high
school. Rates of fare also may be classified on the basis of
age or school attendance. Calculation of school transportation costs, therefore, requires separate estimates for children age 13 and over, whomay _be presumed to be in hiih school,
and children age 5-12, who may be presumed to be in the elementary grades. Unless the evidence is to the contrary, and
in computing standard budget costs, no carfare is allowed for
school for children age 5-12, inclusive .
The allowances of carfare to work and to school are i dentical at the maintenance and the emergency standard of living.
Carfare is also required in connect ion wi th shopping, visiting,
recreation, medical care, etc . No factual bas i s for estimating
these needs locally can be construc t ed in general terms . The
allowance is made arbitrarily as approximately one-half the
carfare necessary for transportation to work and to school in
the m~intenance budget, and one-quarter of the same amount in
the emergency budget. Annual transportation costs would, therefore~ be compu t ed as shown below . The figures are necessarily
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
50
averages, not representative of any one family's needs but providing a measure of costs for families of industrial, service
and other manual workers of small means as a group.
(p612q)+(p 1 nq 1 )+ ..... + (pnnnqn)
2
Emergency
T = (p612q) + (p 1 nq 1 )+ ..... +(p"nnqn)+
(p612q)+(p 1 nq 1 )+ ..... +(pnnnqn)
4
p = fare which applies for transportation to work.
q = percentage of workers who must pay transportation
costs to get to wurk.
p 1 = fare which applies for transportation to school
for the first child.
n
=
twice the number of school days per year (first
child).
q 1 = percentage of children who must pay transportation
costs to get to school (first child).
Pn= fare which applies for transportation to school
for each child after the first.
nn= twice the number of school days per year ( each
child after the first).
qn= percentage of children who must pay transportation
costs to get to school (each child after the first).
Several different rates of fare are often charged by the
same transportation system, for identical services, and services themselves may differ with corresponding differences in
cost.
In computing the cost of transportation as outlined
above, the rate for tickets or tokens should be used, if this
represents a discount from the cash fare. Payment for transfers
ordinarily is not necessary, and the price of a weekly pass
may be greater than the carfare required for routine needs.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
51
H. School Attendance
School attendance in some communities involves a heavier direct charge on the average family of small means than in others,
depending on the amount of equipment and supplies furnished by
the taxpayers. There may be a difference between costs for
children in the elementary grades and in high school; or between public and parochial schools . The amount actually incluaed as direct school costs in the budget for any city will
depend on results of study ofthelocal situation. Major items
to be considered are the cost of books, stationery and supplies,
laboratory fees, gymnasium clothing, school lunches, necessary
or desirable membership in clubs, and other social expenses.
Where, as may happen in the case of parochial schools, tuition
or fees are paidbythe family,provisionmust be made for these
if the situation demands it.
Under ordinary circumstances, the cost of school attendance
may be computed as the outlay required by children attending
public schools, and should take into account only those items
not included elsewhere in the budget. The cost of school lunches,
for example, is covered by the food allowance, and social activities are provided for in the recreation budget. If, on
the other hand, the purchase of gymnasium clothing is compulsory and it will be worn for no other purpose, its cost should
be prorated over the number of years it wi 11 be used and included as an additional charge. Books, stationery, supplies
and laboratory fees are definite school costs to be included
in the budget if they are required for a child of the age specified and are paid directly by the family.
In calculating school costs, it may be assumed that children age 13 and over are in high school and children age 5-12
are in the elementary grades. Thetotal cost of school attendance for any family is the sum of the cost for the separate
children. The budge t s are identical for the maintenance and
for the emergency standard.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
52
QUANTITY BUDGETS
I
Recreation
The need for recreation is satisfied bya var 1 ety of leisure
time act i vi ties . The budget lists a few .of these, chosen so
as to r epresent the gro up as a whole. Cost of r ecreation calculated on the basis of this sample should afford a fair meas:ire of the allowance necessary for recreation, but individual
fam ili es will distribute this in many different ways, according to their own tastes and . facilitie s locally available.
For the purpose of estimating cost, the following are taken
into account : newspapers, attendance at motion picture theatres,
organization membership, tobacco, candy, gum, toys and athletic
equipmen t, radio.
In many cities numerous free sources of
amusement supplement those provided commerci ally. Public libraries , concerts , parks- and beaches of ten afford pleasure,
hea lth building and educational facilities.
No provision is
made for automob,le ownership, for gifts or private entertaining. The last t wo may be considered as mut ually exchangeable,
with costs a nd benefits cancelled. The amou nts to be allowed
for recreation in th e maintenance budget a re calculated as
shown below.
In the emergency budget, recreation costs are
neces sarily reduced to a minimum, and free resou rces for the
most part must s upply these needs. From the a llowance for recreation as calculated for both budgets must be met the cost of
summer excursions, holiday celebrations, social activities at
school, and numerous other forms of entertainment not specifically menti oned.
J.
Newspapers
The maintenance budget allows one paper daily and Sunday.
The price to be used in estimating cost is the price on the
street or by carrier, whichever is cheaper, of that paper most
commonly purchased by 1naustrial, servic e and other ma nual
workers of small means. A newspaper is not provided in the
emergency budget, but it is assumed one will be available
through the local public library.
2.
Hotion Picture Thea tres
The maintena nce budget permits every member of the family
to attend the movies once a week; the eme rgency budget permits
a ttendance once a month. It is assu med that the parents will
go on Saturday evening, the children on Saturday afternoon.
The price to be i!.llowed is the lowest tariff for the time specified .
Under ordinary circumstances, admission charges at
neighborh ood theatres should be considered as standard rat(?S.
Where, however , all theatres are centrally located, admission
charges at these will necessarily be standard.
Admission
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
STANDARDS
53
charges to other !arms of entertainment, such as athletic contests, church or school parties or dance halls, may, of course,
be substituted !or movie admissions if members of a family so
desire.
3.
or,antzattons
Membership in some type of formal association is frequently
common among industrial, service and other manual workers of
small means. This may be a church, school, fraternal or nationality group, character building organization, or community
center o! some type. An allowance of 20 cents per person per
month should take care of these needs in the maintenance budget. Organization membership requiring individual expenses is
not inGluded in the emergency budget.
•·
Tobacco, Toys, Etc . 1
Provision for the cost of tobacco, beverages, candy, gum,
toys, athletic equipment and other items incidental to the satisfaction of year in and year out recreation needs is desirable.
What these are cannot be specified, but a small amount will
take care of ordinary requirements. Ten cents per person per
week is included for this purpose in the maintenance budget,
-'lnd ten cents per person per month in the emergency budget.
5. Rad.to
Provision for a r-'ldio and its upkeep is made in the furniture, furnishings and equipment budget; the cost of its operation is taken care of in the maintenance electricity budget.
The emergency budget does not provide electric current for
operation of a radio.
1 This might be listed as •other recreation•, and used to cover organization dues and miscellaneous recreat.lon, were It not ror the ract that
where a sales tax Is levied, separate provision ror this must be made.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
5q
QUANTITY BUDGETS
J. Church and Other Contributions
Even an emergency budget must provide a small sum for support of the church, and something for social welfare activities
may be expected at a maintenance standard of living.
An average of 5 cents per person per week for church and
Sunday school provides for this need in both budgets. At the
maintenance standard, $5 per year is added for contributions
to community welfare organiMtions. This amount is identical
for all families, regardless of size.
K.
Life Insurance
Life i_nsurance in some form is considered a necessity by
almost all industrial, service and other manual workers and
members of their families. Most often this is carried as an
industrial policy, on which a small premium is paid each week
and the value of which assures a decent burial. For the benefit received, premiums are relatively high, but convenience of
their payment makes them popular. Premiums on straight life
policies for larger benefits are payable in annual, semi-annual
or quarterly installments.
In the maintenance budget, the cost of a straight life policy for $1,000,taken out at age 35, is allowed for the man, or
$23 per yea.r, plus 25 cents a week for the woman, 10 cents each
for children a~ 8 and older and 5 cents each for children under
age 8.
In the emergency budget, insurance at the weekly rate of 15
cents each for the man and the woman and 5 cents for each chilrl
is provided for.
The budget contains no other allowance ·for insurance or benefits of any kind.
L. Taxes
In states or cities where personal taxes are levied, provision for them must be made in the budget. Income and property
taxes often are not applicable to families of small means, but
poll, occupation, school, etc. taxes sometimes must be paid.
The amount to be included depends on the local rate and its
basis. Where a personal property tax is so levied as to be
coll~cted from families of small means, the basis of its application in the standard budget is probably not more than
$100. Computation of income taxes is not within the purview
of this analysis.
In those states or: cities where a sales tax is levied, the
amount will be computed as the appropriate percentage of the
cost of the items to which it is applied and added to the cost
of those items.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
IV.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing discussion concerned with the details of budgets for families of industrial, service and other manual workers of small means bas attempted to provide consistent standards for a basic maintenance level of 1i ving and to suggest
such quantity adjustments as might be made in time of stress to
reduce costs under emergency conditions.
The i terns included and quantity allowances of each we-re worked
out with care in order to port ray a completely rounded plan for
living. It is not pretended that these budgets contain every
item which normal families buy, or that the quantities assigned
are hard and fast consumption values. It is believed, however,
that average needs are properly represented by adequate samples,
so weighted that their cost will measurethetotal cost of living at the levels specified. In choosing the samples and assigning weights an attempt was made to present a consistent picture.
They bear definite relationships to each other and have been included with the complete budget in mind. Obviously, when a complete budget has been constructed, no one i tern or weight can be
changed, without careful consideration of all others. Thephilosophy underlying the whole must be borne in mind when shifts
of any kind are matie.
In attempting to differentiate between the two standards of
living, it is apparent th at savings will be accomplished in a
variety of ways. For food, the attempt was made to approximate
the same nutritive values by substitution of less expensive
commodities; for clothing and household equipment, longer use
or less frequent replacement was represented, with reduced or
shabbier stock as the result.
Psychological as well as more
tangible values may be sacrificed also in connection with housing and certain miscellaneous needs. On the other hand, reduction in the cost of fuel, cleaning supplies and other household
necessities, medical care, and transportation may not be made
so easily. In practice, differentials between the two standards
will be accomplished in other ways besides prolonging the use
of durable goods or selecting less expensive means of satisfying
immediate needs. Changes in quality, method of purchase, type
of vendor patronized are only indicati0ns of means by which
costs may be reduced. Such practices cannot be measured quantitatively, but quantitative standards suggesl that savings are
possible. Some requiremen-ts, such as are connected with school
55
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
QUANTITY BUDGETS
attendance, taxes, and other public services cannot be evaded
at all if complete economic independence is to be retained.
Thus, the extent of feasible reduction below a maintenance
standard of living to meet emergency conditions differs among
the various necessities. This ranges fro111 no discount for water,
refuse disposal, school at ten dance, and taxes, to perhaps 80
percent or 85 percent for recreation. For the budget as a
whole it is estimated that between 25 percent and 30 percent
reduction is possible in the maintenance budget to reach the
cost of the emergency budget.
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
V.
SELECT LIST OF FAMILY BUDGETS
Some of the more important family budgets previously constructed for the purpose of estima:1M.ng low-cost living are as
follows:
"Budgeting the Low Income." Report of the Budget Council
of Boston, Social Workers Section, New England Home Economics
Association, 1931.
"Chicago Standard Budget for Dependent f'amilies," Bulletin
No. 5, 4th revised edition issued by the Council of Social
Agencies of Chicago, June 1932.
"Spending the Family Income," prepared by the Living Costs
Committee, Cincinnati League of Women Voters, September 1928.
"A Suggestive Budget for Families of Small Income," prepared
by the Home Economics Committee of the Associated Charities o!
Cleveland, April 1930.
"The Cost o! Living Among Wage Earners, Detroit, Michigan,"
National Industrial Conference Board, Special Report No. 19,
September 1921.
"Study o! a Minimum Standard o! Living for Dependent Families in Los Angeles," issued by The Community Welfare Federation, Los Angeles, November 1927.
"A Hin imum Family Budget." Unpublished report compiled for
the use of charity organizations in Milwaukee, by Edith Massee,
January 1933.
"The Cost o! Living in New York City," National Industrial
Conference Board, 1926.
"Clothing the Family at Minimum Cost," prepared by The Clothing Section o! the New York Budget Committee !or Social Agencies, 1932.
"Minimum Budget for the Client Family," The Committee en
Family Budgets o! the Pittsburgh Federation o! Social Agencies,
1931.
"Quantity and Cost Budgets ••• ," Heller Committee for Research in Social Economics, Universityo! California, Berkeley.
These are priced each year in San Francisco.
"A Suggestive Budget !or-Families o! Low Income," Washington
Council o! Social Agencies, September 1934.
"Minimum Quantity Budget Necessary to Maintain a Family o!
Five ill B~altb and Decency," Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.
Department o! Labor, Monthly Labor Review, Volume X, No. 6,
June 1920.
57
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Digitized by
Original from
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
@FedFRASER