Weekly budget

This is the budget for John Harling and his family in the 1840s. As a labourer, John's work could have included road mending, digging and farm work.

Name Family member Age Wage
John Father 42 45 p
Elizabeth Mother 39 4 p
George Son 13 10 p
Edward Son 11 10 p
Joseph Son 8 5 p
Eliza Daughter 7 -
Moses Son 3 -
   
TOTAL =
74 pence

Weekly shopping

Item to buy Cost
Bread (27 loaves) 45 p
Rent 6 p
Potatoes 5 p
Coal and wood 3 p
Sugar (225 g) 1 p
Soap 1 p
Butter (675 g) 2 p
Cheese (225 g) 1 p
Candles (6) 1 p
Thread, etc. 1 p
Tea 1 p
Blue ½ p
Salt ½ p
TOTAL =
68 pence

Using information in the tables above:

  • What do you think are the main differences between the Harling family life and your own?
  • Are there any things that are similar? What are they?
  • What was the most expensive thing they had to buy? Why do you think this was?
  • How did they heat and light their house?
  • List things missing from their shopping that you would expect them to need. How might they get these things?