The preceding divisions have to do chiefly with those things which support and protect the physical well-being. The fifth important provision should be for the higher life, or the demands of the intellectual and spiritual nature. The most important business of any life is to develop this side to its highest possibilities and to find its fullest expression. Other considerations are in reality subordinate to this.

Unless a definite allowance is set aside for the purpose material demands encroach until all is spent. Even if something more is realized each year than is spent, the money itself seems too often to be the most valuable possession, rather than the comforts and aesthetic ideals which it might secure. It is a battle, in these days of materialism, to reserve one-fourth of an income for the satisfaction of the needs of the higher nature, yet there is no greater need in our nation than that of more families who realize the imperativeness of doing it, and who independently insist upon proving it to be possible. Those who resolutely decide upon this course tend to more refined living, give "more thought to the meaning of life, to the object for which all exertion should tend, more thought for the manner of accomplishing a given result, less for the money value of it."

It means making a place for ideals, recognizing their necessary place in life, and resolutely setting one's face toward realizing them. Such a purpose serves as an admirable check to the gratification of lower desires and unnecessary spending, while whatever is found to be necessary and worthy will have a double value because of the thought and care exercised in the decision.

There is a very wide range possible for different tastes in ministering to the higher life. One will prefer travel, another literature, a third art, while church and charity must find place in all higher life. It matters, perhaps, less what particular side is developed than that there shall be conscious effort toward a higher and a fuller life, and that choice rather than idle drifting rules. It is true that all altruistic motives which look to the good of another, be he kin or otherwise, are more full of elevating influence upon a life than those which seek merely one's own highest good. One should gain the habit of choosing those things that endure, and have abiding value rather than those of momentary or temporary advantage.

Even when guided by an impulse to make provision for one's family, it is to be borne in mind that the best possible investment which can be made for a child is a liberal education. All that anyone in normal health and strength should need is a thorough preparation to do his or her work efficiently, with motives toward the best things which life has to offer and the possibilities of a better life than his parents have had. Too liberal provision is often seen to destroy incentive and the things of highest value are cheapened when they cost little effort. Progress can only be made through striving. Conscious effort is as necessary for the health of mind as for health of body. For this reason it is best that what we enjoy should be the result of choice and denial, and we should learn early to pay for what we get. A surplus should be reserved against emergencies, that a feeling of independence may be fostered, yet this should not be insisted upon to the point of crippling life.

As to ways of saving, the field is large. Some methods employed at the present time are to be commended in highest terms. Against others too severe condemnation cannot be passed. Among those forms which are safe may be classed life insurance, savings banks, loans on real estate and investments in stocks and bonds.

In selecting, one should consider whether the business which the company is transacting is legitimate and also whether it is probably permanent because it serves a real public use with elements of growth and lasting development, or whether it is merely a "flash in the pan" scheme. Again, it is important to know whether the company has sufficient capital to make the business a safe one, and whether the management, so far as can be determined, is wise and honest.

Life insurance is becoming an increasingly popular form of saving. With a reliable company, and under some of the favorable arrangements possible at the present time, such as terminal endowment policies, yielding a fair interest for money invested, as well as insurance, it is without doubt one of the best methods. Some find the imperative demand to meet the annual payments a very helpful check upon expenditure. There is not the risk of loss through failure to pay at any time which formerly existed, since, in emergencies, money can be loaned on the insurance or one can secure at some sacrifice the return of the amount paid in.

Railroad securities are possibly first in value, such bonds, if good, being unquestionable security and yielding good return. There is little fluctuation in value, and the reports are frequent and controlled by state law, so that one may know the exact condition of the investment at any time.

Loans on buildings, or real estate are excellent forms of investment, if one knows beyond question the value of the property secured. These may not be as readily transferred or their value realized, as with stocks and bonds.

In general it may be said that for the ordinary investors in our country any investment yielding over 4 1-2 or 5 per cent is to be classed as a risk, and is not consistent with sound finance. A safe investment yielding that return is far wiser than a questionable one promising more. A high interest rate is almost invariably, in the very nature of things, a warning of insecurity. Shrewd capitalists of the country are certain to know of any especially favorable opportunities and seize upon them, if desirable, so that the small investors should not look for phenomenal returns.

The frequent reports of failures, and cases of those involved who have met with pitiable losses emphasizes the danger and evils of speculation. These often rise in the form of local crazes, with heated booming for a short lived career, or as investment in some gold or copper mines at too great distance to be personally investigated. These should be condemned and avoided as almost without exception dangerous. Women are found to be particularly susceptible to such alluring opportunities to "get rich quick" because of failure in training in sound business principles.

Mortgages

Safe Interest

Get-Rich-Quick Ventures