Screenland (Nov 1941-Apr 1942)

CP SHE'S nobody's fool, that Jane Wyman. Or, shall we say Mrs. Ronald Reagan? For behind that pert, gay, wise-cracking exterior lurks a good, solid chunk of common sense, coupled with the firm conviction that to want is to have. And it's worked out pretty much that way, by and large. For instance, when Jane and Ronnie decided to get married, the fact that they hadn't piled up a big bank account didn't throw Jane for a minute. In fact, far from having a bank account, they had just returned from a personal appearance tour which had eaten mightily into their reserves. "And besides," Jane admitted, "I don't know how I ever did it, but I was up to my neck in debt. And knowing the way Ronnie feels about debts, I decided the best thing to do was to pay every last living bill before the big event. After it was all over, I had exactly $500 to my name !" "That's swell,'' Ronnie assured her. "That's the beginning of our savings account." Practically, they sat down and started to figure. Jane had a very comfortable apartment on which the rent was already paid. Instead of going into debt to rent a larger place, they moved right into Jane's place after the ceremony and brief honeymoon. Then they started living on the basis that has proven so satisfactory. "Our system is so simple, it doesn't sound like anything," Jane said. "It's just that we save half of everything we make. That first month was tough sledding. We literally didn't spend a dime! Every one of our checks was banked away, half in a savings account and half in a checking account. My charge accounts took care of our living expenses, so we had no bills to pay until the first of the following month. Believe it or not," Jane laughed, "My charge accounts save me money !" "But how — ■" I began, challengingly, "I always thought — " "I know," Jane went on, "You're going to tell me that everyone charges too many things when they have accessible charge accounts. But it hasn't worked out that way for us. You see, Ronnie has a phobia about bills. If a bill is ten days old, he starts having a fit. As a result, every bill is paid and out of the way by the 10th of each month. Naturally, we don't go haywire and charge more than we can pay for. "Ronnie and I are a good balance for one another. While he is very practical in some respects, he goes overboard in others. For example, anyone can sell Ronnie just anything! I don't think I'm tight, but over a period of years, I've come to learn the value of money and I insist on getting value received. I know how to cut LIKE JANE and RONNIE The Reagans, Jane Wyman and Ronald, are still sweethearts. Their careers are prospering, with his big role in "King's Row" and with her good work in "Bad Men of Missouri." Best of all, of course, is their "savings account baby." corners and no one can sell me a darned thing unless I'm convinced it is just what I want and that I'm getting it as cheaply as possible." Although Jane has charge accounts in just about every store in town, she buys her clothes at a little Hollywood Blvd. shop where she used to shop for her high school clothes. Over a period of time, she has learned thenstock, become acquainted with the personnel, and as a result she gets the best values the store has to offer. And what is more, she always looks well and expensively dressed. A most amusing incident occurred the other day. Jane was visiting at the home of one of her well-to-do friends. "Where did you get that divine dress you wore the other night?" Jane asked. "It was sensational!" "Why, she's the most marvellous woman," the friend enthused. "She just comes over and drapes the material around you and there you are — you have a dress !" "I must have her," Jane insisted. "Ask her to come over right away, will you? I've just got to have some new clothes and I'd like to have something different." As she was leaving, she had a thought. "By the way," she ventured, "She isn't expensive, is she?" "No, she's really very reasonable," said the friend. "She'll do you a lovely frock for around three hundred." "Skip it, dear," Jane said quickly. "Just forget I mentioned the whole thing ! Why, darling, how would I ever get my new house furnished if I paid three hundred dollars just to have a dress made!" And Jane dashed off to her favorite shop to pick up a bargain. During the year and a half (Please turn to page 79) 30