This cartoon is one of a series produced by the YMCA, probably in the late 1910s, as a part of its annual "Thrift Exhibition" that appeared in many communities around the country each January as a part of celebrating "National Thrift Week." For most of its history National Thrift Week took place each January 17th-23rd (January 17th being the birthday of Benjamin Franklin). This cartoon warns against attempted short-cuts to financial independence, such as "gambling" and "fake real estate propositions."