Pecuniary Independence --- P T Barnum

Pecuniary  Independence    --- P T Barnum

            The essay “Pecuniary Independence” is an extract from “The Life of Barnum” written by P T Barnum. He draws our attention to the major preoccupations and problems confronting modern men and women . He provides excellent advice to mitigate the stress and strain of day to day life. He believes that ‘pecuniary Independence’ can be achieved through ‘rational saving’ than irrational spending’.

         The author suggests different methods of saving money regarding house-hold expenses. Old clothes can be worn a little longer; new pair of gloves can be dispensed with; Old dresses can be mended; plainer food can be taken. Thus some expenditure can be saved. A penny saved is a dollar gathered.

            One of the most important points he makes ,is if the expenditure is less than income of an individual ,we would have no financial worries at all. More income and less expenditure is the crux of happiness in life. People may have good income but they fail to save anything. The author advises to take a small notebook and note down the luxuries and the necessaries in two columns. We can see the former exceeding the latter.

            Another important clue to real happiness is that one should realize that all men are “born equal” but their “bank accounts ” are not equal. “People are born free and equal,” it is a glorious truth ,no doubt .But it is also equally true that we are all not born equally rich.  People should therefore ,regulate their expenditure in accordance with their means(income) and needs.

           Women in particular are warned to stay away from vanity and envy which will provoke them into spending lavishly to keep up ‘appearances’.” They become victims of vanity and slaves of vain shows. Thus they waste their money. The majority are to rule” but this principle must be ignored regarding fashions. If people run after false standard of perfection they remain poor. People ought to be as sensible  on the subject of money getting  as on any other subject. Following the roads to that lead to poverty one cannot become rich.  Indeed ,”like causes produce like effects”.

Meanings:

Preoccupy=to be the main thought in someone's mind, causing other things to be forgotten

Mitigate = to make something less harmful, unpleasant or bad

Rational   = showing clear thought or reason

Dispensed with = to get rid of something or someone or stop using them because you do not need them

Crux = the most important or serious part of a matter

Vanity = when you are too interested in your appearance

Lavishly =more than enough