November 1963

When should you drop collision insurance?

So long as you are financing your car, your lender will insist on collision coverage to protect his share in the investment. After that, it's up to you-- and you'll certainly be wise to continue the coverage until the car has lost most of its market value.

Should you pay your year-end bills in December or January?

Right now is the time to consider how you can make some very legitimate income-tax savings. Your aim is to arrange the greatest benefit from tax deductions over a two-year period.

Is there any place to live where taxes are low?

Sure, there are --many of them. But the real question is whether the taxes will stay low. Minimum taxes generally mean that most community improvements are yet to come and will have to be paid for.

Do you know when money is costing you too much?

The first step is to find out precisely how much money each possible loan or finance arrangement would cost you. That way you won't be swayed by the various interest rates, which often are highly confusing.

SUCCESS WITH BUFFETS

There's no doubt about the fact that buffets were invented for people who love to give parties! Here are a few helpful hints that will make these buffet bonanzas memorable for guests, and pleasantly relaxed for you.

IT'S NEWS TO ME!

HOW TO TAKE THE HARD WORK OUT OF UPKEEP

Let's face it. There's no way to keep up a home without spending some time and effort at it. But there have been many many developments that take the time-stealing, back-breaking work out of maintaining a home. In some areas, maintenance has been all but eliminated completely; in others, the news is in a speedy method of getting the job done; in still others, the emphasis has been on ease.

ONE OF OUR GUYS BUILDS A HOUSE

Almost all of us do, but this time it happens to be Associate Building Editor Frank R. Glass. Frank is an architect with an eye for simplicity both in the design of a house and its structure. This is the home he built for his family.

HOOKING IN A HURRY!

And we mean in a hurry Rug hooking, al ways a beautiful craft but once painstak ingly slow, is now ten times faster with a new needle that cranks like an egg beater. And the finished rugs lose none of their beauty in the speeding-up process. The de signs pictured here prove that point well.

BIG IDEA BATHROOMS

Stop dreaming and start figuring: you can add this wonderful new master bath-dressing room to your own home. Choose this one-- or the one on the next page-- and begin planning just where you want to build it. And, because both bathrooms are part of our Better Homes Projects series, getting started is easy. Another clincher: an extra bathroom (and all this storage is one of the wisest investments you can make in resale value. In most cases, getting a home improvement loan for a bathroom should be easy

ALL ABOUT BUFFETS... AND TABLES, TOO

Let them brim with warmth and welcome! Sparkle with ingenuity! Reflect the gaiety of holiday entertaining! Let them suit every age and every mood, just so the mood is happy. Why not have a buffet this weekend?

THIS IS A VERY PRACTICAL KITCHEN!

Forgive us if we boast a little about this kitchen-- both in ... it works and how it looks. Better Homes and Gardens editor planned it for those who want color, practicality, and cheerness in the most popular area in any home-- the kitchen. The spacious informality, reminiscent of a country kitchen, ... make an ideal living area for any family.

A SHOP FOR YOUR CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

HOW TO GET PLANS

... can order plans for the the shown in "One of our ... builds a house." These ... include working drawers, a list of materials, and specifications for workmanship materials. The total living ... in this home is 1,496 are feet.

THEY TRADED IN THE OLD PORCH!

And just look what they got by trading! After living with a cramped kitchen for several years, the Eugene Krantz family, Salt Lake City, Utah decided to expand it-- and add a new family room in the process. The best spot in sight was a covered porch (see before plan) next to the kitchen.

A HOLIDAY TOUR OF THE SUNSHINE STATE

In our winter travel article for 1963, Better Homes & Gardens Special Assignments Editor George Bush takes you on a tour of Florida. But Florida is fun not only in winter. In other seasons, too, it makes an ideal family playground. You don't have to follow our exact routing to enjoy your trip-- maybe you'll even save parts of Florida for other vacations. (We'll cover the "handle" of the state early next year.)

HOW TO BUY THE RIGHT BATHROOM FIXTURES

When you add a new bathroom-- or remodel one you have-- take an extra few minutes to make sure you get the fixtures that will serve you best. And, if you're in the market for a new house, cheek for these same features.

GIFT SHOPPING BY MAIL

Shopping plans start here! As the holidays approach, you'll want to pull up your favorite easy chair and browse through these exciting buys from shops everywhere. See how easy armchair shopping can be!

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

"More people would enjoy walking if they didn't think about it first," says Lee Bayless. "When you stop to ponder the wind, the look of the sky, the lateness of the hour, and the steepness of the hills, you'll drive or take a taxi every time."