Ten Dollars Enough: Keeping House Well on Ten Dollars a Week
 How It Has Been Done; How It May Be Done Again

by Catherine Owen

"Ten Dollars Enough: Keeping House Well on Ten Dollars a Week" by Catherine Owen is a practical guide written in the late 19th century. This book outlines the trials and triumphs of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop as they embark on an experiment to manage their household expenses while maintaining a satisfactory standard of living. It focuses on their experience of keeping house for just ten dollars a week, detailing the methods, recipes, and economic strategies employed by Mrs. Bishop, the main character, to make this challenging budget work. The opening of the book introduces Mr. and Mrs. Bishop, a newly married couple currently living in a boarding house who yearn for the comfort and autonomy of their own home. Discussing their dissatisfaction with boarding life highlights their desire to cook and manage their household according to their tastes and values. Molly, determined and enthusiastic, convinces her husband Harry to try living within the constraints of their modest income, which sparks discussions about household management and the challenges of transitioning from a life of relative luxury to one of frugality without sacrificing quality. The chapter sets the stage for their adventures in budgeting, cooking, and building a functional household while effectively balancing their relationship dynamics.