Women, as a usual thing, spend such small sums of money at a time in their purchases for the house, that they are apt to lose sight of the size of the total amount expended in a year. Not realizing the value of the aggregate it follows that they hesitate and study returns far more carefully and intelligently in investing one hundred dollars in any other way than in placing the same amount in household supplies. Those who realize the importance of economic buying follow current prices and buy when the market offers the best inducements. The difference in time expended in exercising this care is not as great as is fancied. Watchfulness and interest count chiefly. There are times of legitimate annual or clearance sales when real bargains may be secured. These should be watched for and taken advantage of in buying yearly supplies of things which may be safely stored. If the articles to be purchased are such as suffer from the competition of "style" one is especially enabled, with a slight sacrifice of style to quality, to reap a rich harvest at the expense of the foolish of the world who must have the very latest fad at whatever cost. The extremes of fashion are folly economically, in that they make it impossible to realize nearly the value of money expended.

There is only a small range of supplies in which there is a marked style. Individual preference controls in the selection of most, so that when one has determined upon the most desirable brand, variety, etc., there are left but three things which must be weighed in deciding the amount to be bought. These are (1) room for storage, (2) ready money for the purchase, and (3) the perishable nature of the article. The economy of buying in quantity must, necessarily, depend to a large extent upon these points. When these can be satisfactorily met there is great advantage in buying in quantity. Thereby one has the advantage of wholesale prices or great reduction over retail prices on quantities not too large for a moderate-sized family to dispose of within desirable limits of time.

The family that finds it necessary to buy its supply of coal by the fraction of a ton and flour by the pound, suffers great loss through the increased expense, paying often very nearly twice as much as the same grade would cost in larger quantity, and with no gain since these products gain in value rather than lose, by storage. Buying in small quantities at retail means paying a generous profit for grocer or messenger boy's wages in delivering the small amounts. Again, one suffers from having to look her supplies over frequently or has the annoyance of finding something missing when wanted.

The changed conditions of modern life from those of our grandmothers affect our habits in regard to storing supplies. Now that a large number of homes are rented, each room counting and swelling the monthly bill, it has naturally led to economy of space. The uncertainty of residence with some has its effect also, as the expense of moving is increased by quantity, and the danger of injury and breakage all have to be reckoned with. One great misfortune which results from these considerations is the inclination to turn to cheap grades which are more readily disposed of at such a time or cause less regret if injured. Thereby we are losing some of the refining influences of acquiring and possessing the best. This applies especially to furniture and utensils, which ought to be bought as though they were to last a lifetime.

There is a happy medium between the huge chests of linen in former time which held supplies not used for years, yellowing with age, and the modern tendency of hand-to-mouth provision, satisfying only the weekly demand. There should be always a small emergency store of linen. Additions can be too easily made to require that it be very large. In fact, since it may be added to, usually, any day, the principal gain is realized by being able to buy better at certain seasons, as in January, than others, and the same reduction in price by buying in quantity may be realized in this as in groceries. Dish toweling by the roll at 13 1/2 cents instead of 15 cents a yard, sheeting by the web or piece at a similar reduction, etc., are illustrations of the benefits to be derived through such methods of buying. An especial reason for buying table linens in January, in addition to any attractive prices which may be found at that time, is that the fresh supply of goods is in then and one may so secure a better selection. For storing linens a special chest or linen closet is very desirable and should be included in planning a house, but when not provided, an ordinary closet may be used, drawers, a trunk or a home-constructed box, any of which answers every purpose if well cared for.

For storing groceries the requirements are a light, dry, cool room, as near the kitchen and pantries as possible. It should be supplied with lock and key, which the housekeeper or a trusted helper controls. Large quantities may so be put into it and smaller portions given out as needed for use. This is both an aid to economy (since the tendency is to use more liberally if there is a large amount at hand) and prevents such supplies as baking powder, tea, spices, etc., from losing in value through standing open. A year's supply is usually as large an amount as it is well to buy at a time. This is especially true of canned goods. These should be bought in the fall after the fresh supply is in market. By the dozen, or better yet, by the case of two dozen, canned goods may be secured at a reduction of from ten to twenty-five per cent. The same is true of the packages of cereals, although for small families cereals cannot be used rapidly enough to buy in large quantity. It will be found to be well worth while for those of limited space to attempt to make space somewhere for some storage room. With a large number of families that are not cramped for room it should be a matter of more consideration to utilize a portion for this purpose.