May 1963

"How can we buy a new house AND appliances?"

Nowadays, if you are building a new home or extensively remodeling an old one, chances are good that you will find a bank or finance company willing to include the price of a number of essential appliances in the mortgage. That way, you can have all these conveniences when you most need them, instead of months or years later.

"Is there a best time to trade for a new car?"

You often hear a remark like "I'm going to fix the old buggy and keep it for one more year." This sounds like a good economy move, but it may well be just a waste of money. Research has shown that most cars, by the time they are three years old, are still running pretty well, but are candidates for fairly costly repairs in the near future. When these repairs are balanced against the extra value your car will bring as a trade-in while in good condition, the smartest move in the long run is to trade every three years (and sooner if your use is hard).

"What kind of life insurance should I buy?"

Unfortunately, there's no single, pat answer to this question. Each family has its own individual needs, goals, and ability to pay. But we can tell you about the three most popular kinds of policy-- and then with the help of your life insurance agent, you can choose the one that's best for you.

"How do I pick a stock for growth?"

First, look at its record of earnings (net profits) per common share. Handbooks giving this kind of information, such as Standard & Poor's and Moody's, are available at a broker's office. If the stock's earnings have risen at a reasonably rapid rate in recent years-- say at least 15 per cent a year-- it may be called a "growth" stock.

"How can our family guard against really huge medical bills?"

You can now protect yourselves against such bills through a major medical policy-- a form of insurance which has been winning wide acceptance. In most cases, major medical extends the protection offered by "hospitalization" insurance; it takes over about where that kind of policy stops.

"Can we use the money in our savings account without losing all the interest?"

"How can life insurance help us retire?"

Your life insurance cannot provide enough money for worry-free retirement unless you pay big premiums for many years. But when used in connection with social security, pension plans, and perhaps other investments, it may spell the difference between bare survival and comfort. What's more, life insurance retirement carries the built-in guarantee that you will never outlive the income.

"How in the world can we ever save up vacation money?"

If you're having trouble maintaining an annual travel fund, welcome to the club! So are a lot of other families. No less than 57 per cent of them here in the U.S. fail to get away from home at vacation time, even for an overnight trip. And four out of five families are unable to scrape up as much as $200 each year for vacation expenses.

"If my health improves, do my life insurance premiums go down?"

"Is it true that FHA can lend us money for our new family room addition?"

"How should I establish credit in my new city?"

"How much can my children earn and still be my dependents?"

"How much debt is too much?"

QUALITY IS LIKE MONEY IN THE BANK

When you buy or build a new home, the best safeguard for your investment is the quality that goes into the final product. Quality products in your home let you live better while often substantially cutting your month-by-month costs-- and they give your home a lasting, salable value. Several new Federal Housing Administration directives favor the use of high-quality, low maintenance materials.

WHAT IF YOUR YOUNGSTER DOESN'T GO TO COLLEGE?

The day your youngster earns a high school diploma, he comes to a crossroad in his life. He can (1) decide to continue his education, or (2) simply turn off his brain and stop learning. That decision is one of the most important he'll ever make. As his parent, you are more than ever responsible for clear-headed guidance. But both you and he should keep one fact clearly in mind: The right choice has absolutely nothing to do with whether or not he goes to college!

CHOOSING CHAIRS AND SOFAS

Browse and read before you buy. When you're looking at furniture don't worry about how it will hold up, because many manufacturers are scientifically testing furniture to give it more rough-and-tumble wear than most families do. Makers of foam, fabrics, and furniture constantly test new products and release new tags and booklets to help you.

THE HATTERS MAKE A HOUSE COME ALIVE!

When it comes to family teamwork, you won't find a happier example than the Anthony Hallers. They have ambition to burn, and an enthusiasm that starts with Tony and Pat, and goes right down to the girls, Susan, 14, and Margaret Ann, 5; the two older boys, Peter, 11, Tommy, 8; and even to the smallest Haller, 2-year-old Michael.

THIS YOUNG FAMILY LIVES FROM LOT LINE TO LOT LINE

THE MACNEILS TACKLE ANOTHER HOUSE

You first met the George MacNeils in the October, 1954, issue of Better Homes and Gardens. There we showed you how they built their first home in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Starting with only a foundation and frame, they finished "The house they couldn't afford"-- and learned dozens of valuable tips. Then, nine years later, they cashed in again on this know-how. With three eager helpers-- Cindy, Susan, and Linda-- they completed their second home.

WHAT'S NEW IN STORAGE?

Good news in modular storage furniture: the widest variety of styles ever! Now you can buy a storage system to match any room setting from French Provincial to Early American. Of course, there's a choice of may natural woods and painted finishes. And a wide price range too.

HOW TO KNOW A GOOD KITCHEN WHEN YOU SEE ONE

Just what makes a good kitchen these days? Of course you need appliances, storage, counters, flooring, light, and ventilation. But as vital as what you need is where you need it. The arrangement should create five basic centers: cooking, mixing, refrigeration, serving, and cleanup. As for space, bigness is not the objective, because a good kitchen always uses space judiciously. You simply need space adequate enough for the centers and for traffic to flow around them, not through them.

WE THINK THIS ADDITION IS GREAT!

Here's a big wonderful addition to solve the space problem that might have you considering a move. We realize this kitchen-laundry-dining area is as large as many small houses, but if you're faced with leaving friends and a neighborhood you love, it could settle that dilemma in a hurry.

HOW ARE YOU FIXED FOR PRIVACY?

A privacy screen isn't just a barrier to keep people from seeing in. It's a decorative asset to your yard-- the backdrop that makes the difference between ordinary and outstanding in your landscaping plan.

HOW TO CHOOSE A GOOD ONE-LEVEL HOUSE

In this issue, the Better Homes for All America series focuses on two of the nation's best model homes. Each month, from now through October, we'll show you two built-for-sale homes that offer the best use of quality materials, the most effective floor plans, and the smartest designs. You'll be seeing houses in every size and shape and from every part of the country.

TWO FLOORS OF REALLY COMFORTABLE LIVING

If you're considering a two-story, this house shows you the best of what to expect. Like most two-stories, it solves a big question: how to get the most space for your dollar. With two floors here, you get 2,054 square feet of comfortable, family-sized rooms. The savings come with the design: from foundation to roof, construction costs will be lower; later on, you'll even find maintenance costs are less. But this house starts in with good living where traditional two-stories leave off. Its country informality goes right through, from cedar siding to rough shake roof. Models of both of this month's Better Homes for All America houses are open in many areas; see page 117 for cities and builders.

A WOW OF A WALL!

"We needed storage space desperately, but I thought our living room was just too small for more furniture. We toyed with the idea of adding more closet space, but since we plan on moving someday, we had to rule out an investment in built-in storage."

SEE WHAT A FEW BRANCHES CAN DO

YOUR NEW KITTEN

IT'S NEWS TO ME!

FAST AND FANCY WITH YOUR SLICER

HOW TO ORDER PLANS FOR HOMES AND PROJECTS

How to choose a good one-level house. Better Homes for All America-- Plan 3305-A, shown on page 70. You can buy a complete package that includes working drawings; a list of materials to help estimate costs; an outline of specifications for workmanship and materials; and a list of points to put in a builder-owner agreement. Plan 3305-A is $15.00 for one set, and $7.50 for each additional set you order at the same time.

THE MAGNIFICENT NORTHWEST

This is one of the most rewarding journeys any American family can take. It's a sweeping tour of our great Northwest-- with a swing up through southwestern Canada. Associate Editor Gordon Greer has planned a circle tour of that scenic region which, ideally, could fill your whole summer. Allowing for side trips, the circle extends over 4,500 miles. But even with as little as two or three weeks at your disposal, you can still see most of the high lights.

THIS IS STYLE!

SHOPPING BY MAIL WITH BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

This spring weather makes a man want to go for a long walk, but society frowns on that sort of thing-- unless he can prove his car's in the repair shop or he's acting under doctor's orders.