July 1963

Remodel or move out: how can you decide?

Savings of literally thousands of dollars can hinge on your answer to this big question. (A new kitchen alone can cost $3,000 or more.) Should you put a lot of money into updating your present house, or should you move?

Are you better off in business for yourself?

Each year, many people decide that they are; in 1961, 437,00 new businesses, large and small, were started. Could you be your own boss-- and succeed? If you can honestly answer yes to all these questions, you may make a business forecast that could change your life.

Do you like to take an occasional trip, adult-style?

Well, you can. And you may even be able to enjoy such a vacation without hiring a housekeeper.

What does it cost to rent a car?

Cars are usually rented by the day and the mile (such as $10 per day plus 10 cents per mile, covering fuel and insurance). Prices are fairly stable across the country, but there are notable fluctuations in certain areas.

100 IDEAS UNDER $100

If you're hunting a good idea-- or a hundred of them-- then this is your issue. Furnish your own labor on any of these 100 problem-solvers, and they'll cost you less than $100 for materials. Before you start a project, compare our price tag with material costs in your own area.

THIS H-SHAPED HOUSE IS FOR PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN PRIVACY

The idea here is as practical as it is simple: By using an H-shape design with large center courtyards, you save the choicest part of your lot for yourself. There's no waiting for your seclusion either-- you can live outdoors in peace as soon as the walls go up. It's the kind of instant privacy that's always worth looking for. Models of this house are open in several areas; see page 88 for a list of cities and builders.

A HOUSE THAT PROVES YOU CAN AFFORD GOOD DESIGN

It starts with the triple-peak roof line and goes right on down to the polished terrazzo floors inside: crisp design and detailing that usually come only in custom-built homes. Then there's the efficient floor plan with 1,686 square feet-- still another luxury feature.

HOW TO TRADE YOUR HOUSE FOR A NEW ONE

The number of families who trade their old home for a new one hits a higher peak each year. And for good reason. Trading is the most worry-free way to get your present home sold and a new one purchased.

THIS KITCHEN WAS PLANNED TO A "T"

IDEA FURNITURE--UNDER $100

CHOOSING AND USING AREA RUGS

Area rugs have a variety of decorative uses. They can tie a conversational grouping together, or form traffic lanes that will direct people around a furniture grouping. You can use rugs to divide rooms into different activity areas. In a combination living/dining room, for example, two area rugs will visually separate the two areas.

HOW TO ORDER PLANS FOR HOUSES AND PROJECTS

You can order plans for either of two houses in our Better Homes for All America series-- and for any of the five Better Homes Projects-- from this issue. The homes are: This H-shaped house is for people who believe in privacy-- Plan 3307-A, shown on page 56.

SHOPPING BY MAIL

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

Planes seem to be flying much lower or louder these days, I'm not sure which. Sometimes, on a hot summer night when we have the windows open wide, I almost expect an airliner full of passengers to come flying right in. "They'd better not," says Christine. "I have nothing to serve, and just look at those disreputable pajamas you're wearing!"