The American Frugal Housewife - A Review

The American Frugal Houswife - A Review
By: Lydia Maria Francis Child

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Can a book written about life and frugality in 1832 America really be of use to us today?  That was the question I asked myself as I downloaded this book, and began reading it.  As it turns out, it can!  While there are many items that Child writes about that aren’t relevant on the whole to today’s times, there are many issues that are broached in this book that are still perfectly pertinent.

Written as a guide to women in the New World, this book offers many themes that are still common today.  Written anecdotally from her life and perspectives, Child embraces topics such as not trying to keep up with the Joneses, as she states, “No false pride of foolish ambition to appear as well as others should ever induce a person to live one cent beyond the income of which he is certain.  If you have one dollar a day, do not spend but seventy-five cents.  If you have but half a dollar, do not spend more than forty cents.”

She preaches of the frugality of doing things yourself, rather than taking advantage of having things prepared for you. “Make your own bread and cake. Some people think it is just as cheap to buy of the baker and confectioner, but it is not half as cheap. It is convenient, but those who are under the necessity of being economical should make convenience a secondary priority.”

Child offers guidance on teaching your children the value of money, “In early childhood, you lay the foundation of poverty or riches, in the habits you give your children. Teach them to save everything, — not for their own use, for that would make them selfish — but for some use. Teach them to share everything with their playmates; but never allow them to destroy anything.”

I could easily quote the majority of the book, and tell you how fitting it is to current events, and the movement towards self-sufficiency.  Granted, Child does offer up many household solutions and recipes that I will likely never require, such as how to wax cheese (though you never know, that may come in handy at some point), or what kind of straw works best for stuffing a mattress, however, there are many of her tips that are still valid today.  In Child’s section of the book entitled, “General Maxims for Health,” she asserts, “Rise early. Eat simple food. Take plenty of exercise.  Never fear a little fatigue.” A sound maxim for life, and one entirely as true today as it was in her time.

This book is entirely worth the time spent reading it, if not only to glean some advice from days gone by, but to also relish in the fact that we aren’t forced to worry about how to cook calf’s head so as not to waste it.