This piece, excerpted from the November 1909 World's Work Magazine is most interesting in the context of Tighsolas. It contains some good common sense and some timely reflections on the burgeoning cult of consumerism, where needs, by definition, can NEVER be fulfilled. 

The  Nicholsons were down and almost out in 1910. Still,  they were thrifty, I have the accounts to prove it; 30 years of accounts; and they were hardworking. And no one valued education more than these descendants of Hebridean Scots.  And they weren't greedy for things, things, and more things.  Indeed, they did everything right as leading citizens of their community, by joining the Masons and the Order of the Eastern Star, and participating in politics at the grassroots level.   Yet, they still struggled.

Yes, when it comes to finances, personal responsibility is important, but there are always greater forces at work when it comes to financial success in life. That's what this website is all about!   

"Mr, CC McCain, Chairman of the Trunk Line Assocation, an organization connected with the interests of the great Eastern Railroads, has published a pamphlet that gives the results of a long and extensive study  of the railroad problem, which is the same problem that every organization and every man has to face, namely, how to make income meet expense….

The problem of making income meet expense, is even more difficult in the case of individuals and families than in the case of railroads. With a large gross income, economies are possible in many places. With a small gross income, a small salary for example, that is not true. But is living, for the average man who makes  a salary, harder than it was ten years ago?  It is hard to answer that question: Some necessities have not risen, clothing for example; and all the while the people of the United States, except the poorest, have increased their list of  necessities by including many things that used to be regarded as luxuries. But how this feat has been performed by the average man is hard to say; but it has been performed.  The incomes of most capable workers have increased during the last decade; the facilities for preventing waste and for encouraging thrift have become better. Many household economies have come into practice. But living, even the simplest method of living adopted by the average man of a small income is  a very complex thing. One man becomes rich on the same gross income that another suffers on.  Three or four thing are certain: First, the problem of making both ends meet, is, as it always has been, a very hard problem for the average man and the average family; second, the average family lives a great deal better now than a century ago; a larger number of Americans than any other nation live well; and fourth a still larger proportion would live well if they developed thrift and good management as several European peoples have.  We are yet in that period of  American history where we regard very careful management of one's personal expenditure a somewhat belittling accomplishment.