BABIES DELIVERED VIA MAIL?
How America’s Youngest Were Once Mailed to Grandma’s
Oh, the good old days of 1913, when the U.S. Post Office decided to let just about anything — and we mean anything — go through the mail. Imagine a time when sending eggs, bricks, and even your college laundry via post was the norm. When the U.S. Post Office first began offering parcel service, one of the first packages sent was a brindle English bulldog! But of course, it gets stranger. The initial days of the Parcel Post service saw creative shipping solutions, including more than one instance of a surprise
In those early days, some parents took the phrase “special delivery” to a new level by mailing their kids! Just a few weeks after the service began, one Ohio couple decided their 8-month-old son, James, needed to visit Grandma and figured the mail was the best way to get him there. Weighing in just under the 11-pound limit, baby James cost a mere 15 cents to mail. Talk about a budget-friendly travel option!
Take 5-year-old May Pierstorff, who was mailed about 75 miles to her grandparents. Or 3-year-old Maude Smith, who traveled from Caney to Jackson, Kentucky, with snacks in hand and a shipping label sewn to her dress. It wasn’t until after several instances and a good deal of head-scratching by the postal authorities that regulations tightened up. Parents could no longer avoid train ticket costs by handing their kids to the local postal carrier. Today, thankfully, we have more sensible travel options for our kids. The days of slapping stamps on their clothing and waving as they disappear with the mail are long gone. But the stories we have from those early days of mail mischief are sure to remind us that thrifty parents will go to any lengths to save a few dimes!
If it’s any consolation, parents didn’t hand off these pint-sized parcels to strangers. In most
opossum delivery in Flushing, Queens. Then, parents short on cash or time decided to do something truly questionable: shipping their own children.
cases, the local mail carriers in these rural
communities were well-known to the families and trusted with these precious deliveries.
SAVE WISELY, SUCCEED SOONER Resolutions for Future Fortunes
New Year’s resolutions are funny things. They always sound great on Dec. 31 but often fall by the wayside as schedules and life’s demands pull us out of the gym or keep us tired in front of the television. While sticking to a solid plan for success is essential in all aspects of life, following good financial planning practices throughout the year to avoid sinking into debt is one resolution worth keeping. Here are a few simple reminders to keep your money — and your peace of mind — above water in 2025. DON’T LET YOUR HOME KEEP YOUR MONEY HOSTAGE. As any homeowner knows, there are more monetary obligations to keeping a roof over your head than paying your mortgage. Depending on the age and condition of your dwelling, you may be losing money every time the temperature drops into the 50s. Improperly sealed vents or window seals can wreak havoc on your heating bills and leave you wondering why your expenses are through the roof. (Speaking of roofs, when was the last time you had yours checked out for damage or a need for replacement?) Before time gets away from you this year, inspect your
home thoroughly to uncover any issues that could cost you in the long run.
OVERCOME THE ONLINE SHOPPING OBSESSION. Considering that the holidays just ended, you likely clicked more than a few “buy now” buttons in recent weeks. Now that we’re in a new year, consider giving your online shopping a breather. The allure of easy transactions could lead to excessive expenditures if you allow your fingers to put your finances at risk. If you spot a must-have item online, take a day or two to decide if the purchase is worth it or just a passing temptation that could put an unnecessary dent in your accounting. MIND YOUR CASH CALCULATIONS. If you need better direction for your dollars in 2025, remember this equation: 50/30/20. That’s 50% of your monthly income for necessities, 30% for fun, and 20% for savings. If your current budget doesn’t come anywhere near those figures, it’s time to reevaluate your spending and devise a clearer path for the months ahead.
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