ABSTRACT
Rapitok budget data showed that single men consumed most food per consumption unit; they also spent most on purchased food per month. This can be easily explained by the fact that they had only themselves to care for, were hungry, and ate a lot. In 1960 traditional thriftiness was prevalent. This is indicated by savings as well as by the considerable stock of accumulated cash and shell money. Migrant elders saved 54 per cent of current income and kept 64 per cent of total capital assets in the form of cash and tambu. Villager elders saved 18 per cent of current income and held 84 per cent of capital assets in the shape of cash and shell money. The quite considerable savings ratio among Rapitok people clearly indicates that their economic development was not a problem of credits, but rather one of channelling savings into profitable and productive enterprises.
