It sometimes occurs that when young men are ready to establish a home they are financially limited. Up to this time they have probably lived comfortably, but have accumulated very little money, consequently they seek the installment store for their furnishings. The installment or credit business has greatly developed in the last twelve or fifteen years. There are two kinds of installment stores, although few people are aware of the fact. One is the sort that will extend a reasonable amount of credit with a certain amount of cash demanded at time of purchase, the balance to be paid within a reasonable given time. Almost every first-class store will extend such credit, although they may not advertise it. This kind of a store does a great deal of good in its community in that it sells goods of quality at a reasonable profit. The second is the store that will sell almost any amount of goods with a small payment down, with an agreement that the balance be paid in small weekly or monthly installments. They usually have an inferior grade of goods and sell at a large profit. While this kind of a store poses along with the first mentioned as a credit house, this is the one to shun. If their inferior grade of furniture is bought it will probably wear out or fall to pieces before it is paid for, or if their goods of quality is selected the price is prohibitive.

Such advertisements as: "Stop worrying, take advantage of our liberal credit plan," "One dollar down and fifty cents a week," "Pay when you can," "Let us carry the load," etc., seem to offer much, but really give little, and attract certain people, and many sales are the result. Not until one is into a deal contracted under such alluring promises is it realized that it is, after all, a burden. It will be learned that the promise of such easy payments, etc., has been somewhat magnified. Not until after the second or third month does one realize that five dollars a month on a two or three hundred dollar bill will take from forty to sixty months, or three and one-half to five years, of continuous monthly paying to pay the debt. Most young people do not stop to reason this out before they enter into their contract, otherwise, they would not assume such a large obligation.

Many a young couple has tried to go to housekeeping on a meager salary, only to be final victims of the installment house or loan shark, or both. This is due mostly to inexperience or to a lack of forethought, as the actual running expenses of the home, such as rent, light, heat, doctor bills, car fare, insurance, laundry, grocery, and other necessary bills had not been carefully considered.

On the other hand the credit accommodation has been a good thing for some people, as they undoubtedly could never have furnished a home had they not have had the advantages of credit.

One should not object to giving the merchant proper references when asking for credit (a loan of his property). If one is not worth fifty dollars, credit for fifty dollars should not be asked, nor should one blame the merchant if he does not grant it. 1 i a person draws but twelve dollars a week and has no other resources, how much credit can he expect? If one can not pay the first weekly bill how can one expect to pay twice that amount at the end of the second week? These things should be carefully considered before entering into any form of a contract.