1) Determine the cost of replacing the article. This is called the Replacement Cost.

2) Determine the actual age of the article in months (in years for ten-year items).

3) Determine the condition of the article (excellent, average or poor).

4) Select from specific Clothing Table the average life of the article.

5) Refer to the column in Life Expectancy Table at the top of which is shown the average life selected in Step 4. Read down this column to the box showing the Actual Age and across to the Adjustment Value.

6) Select the box under Adjustment Values which is appropriate according to the condition of the article.

7) Multiply the percentage figure given under Adjustment Values by the Replacement Cost figure determined in Step 1. This will be the Adjustment Value.

Example: High-fashion cocktail dress. Replacement Cost - $200 Life Expectancy - 3 years. (Women's Clothing Table).

Actual Age - 30 months. Condition - Excellent. Adjustment Value - 30 per cent or $60.

Clothing Betterment Tables - Step by Step Use

Life Expectancy Table
Expected Life Adjustment Values
1 Year 2 Years 3 Years 4 Years 5 Years 10 Years  
Actual Age of Article in Months  Actual Age of Article in years Percentage of Replacement Cost
            Excellent Average Poor
0-4 0-4 0-4 0-4 0-4 Less than 1 100 100 100
4-7 4-7 4-10 4-13 4-16 2-4 75 75 60
7-9 7-13 10-19 13-25 16-31 4-6 70 60 45
9-11 13-19 19-28 25-37 31-46 6-8 50 40 30
11-13 19-25 28-37 37-49 46-61 8-11 30 20 15
13 & older 25 & older 37 & older 49 & older 61 & older 11 & older 20 15 10