February 1964

HOW MUCH CAN YOU DEDUCT FOR AN OFFICE AT HOME?

If you have an office in your home and use it in connection with your employment, you may qualify for an income-tax deduction covering the cost of providing and maintaining the office. The job may be either full-time or part-time, and it makes no difference whether you work for yourself or for an employer.

CAN RETIREMENT ON LIFE INSURANCE SAVE YOU TAXES?

In most cases, yes. That's because you don't pay taxes on the money your policy has earned unless you cash it in; you're not likely to do this before your retirement years, when you have an extra (over-age-65) exemption and are probably in a lower tax bracket anyway.

WHO DEDUCTS PROPERTY TAXES WHEN A HOUSE IS SOLD?

Worth-while income-tax savings can be yours if you correctly handle the property-tax deduction for the year in which you buy or sell a home. In certain situations, for example, you may be entitled to a property-tax deduction even though you did not actually pay any part of the tax.

WHAT IS A CASUALTY LOSS AND HOW CAN YOU DEDUCT IT?

A casualty loss may result from damage due to fire, storm, shipwreck, earthquake, sudden sinking of land, sub-soil shrinkage because of drought, flood, hurricane, or vandalism. Generally, the loss must be caused by natural or other external forces, and must result from sudden, unexpected, or unusual cause. However, general deterioration of your property cannot be considered a casualty loss-- nor can damage caused by termites or other insects, according to recent IRS Ruling 63-232.

SHOULD YOU PAY FOR INSURANCE ANNUALLY OR MONTHLY?

Insurance costs less when paid for on the spot. Annual payments save as much as 8 to 10 per cent compared to monthly payments, 4 to 5 per cent as against quarterly payments, and even cost about 2 per cent less than payments on a semi-annual basis. That's because the insurance company has to spend less on bookkeeping and billing.

GOOD NEWS FOR MEN!

Beginning a new every-month report to the family man on ideas for the home, auto, shop, and garden.

HOW TO STRETCH SPACE IN AN 11x17 LIVING ROOM

STRETCH SPACE

How often have you wondered if your house is slowly shrinking on its foundations? It probably seems that way every time you just can't find another inch of closet space, or you have to do your paperwork on the dining room table, or you feel you can't invite overnight guests.

THE BEST ROSES, TREES, AND SHRUBS FOR 1964

On these six color pages, you'll find the beginning of an entirely new garden program. Throughout the year and years to come, we will present our recommendations to guide you knowledgeably with every garden effort, regardless of how large or how small it may be.

A HOUSE WITH CHARACTER AND SPACIOUSNESS!

Character in houses doesn't come easily. It's hard to define, and even harder to find. But when a house has the character this one does, you sense it right away. There's a sure, convincing air about it that's more than just cedar shakes, more than simple lines, more than glass panels. And with this house comes an even rarer discovery: a feeling of spaciousness that you usually have only in houses twice this size.

YOUNG PEOPLE AND MONEY

We all have money problems-- they're part of modern life. To teen-agers, however, money woes are all very new. They arrive, so to speak, in a big packing crate with an assortment of other, equally brand-new problems. Your task as a parent is to make sure your youngsters get sound experience in money management before and during their teen years. To help you in this endeavor, Better Homes & Gardens has sponsored the preparation of this guide.

HOW TO STRETCH AN AVERAGE CLOSET

THE BEST WAY TO COPE WITH A COLD

Although scientists have not yet found a cure for the common cold nor a vaccine to prevent it, they at least have pinned down its cause (a virus) and they know how to keep it from spreading (isolation). Since the virus is still beyond medical control, isolation is our best present weapon. When you have a cold, play hermit for a while, and encourage other people to do likewise.

HANDYMAN HOW-TO

Plane talk about how to use, sharpen, and care for one of the most useful hand tools in your shop

HOW TO GET PLANS

THE GLORIOUS GULF STATES

Had enough of winter yet? Here's an idea and an inspiration. Don't hold off on your family's vacation till everyone else is on the highways, too. Instead, plan your holiday trip where it's springtime right now. Trees and flowers along the Gulf Coast are on the verge of blossoming. Many annual celebrations will be launched during February and March-- including the Natchez Pilgrimage of Homes, Mobile's Azalea Trail, and New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras.

WATER HEATERS AND WATER SOFTENERS

When you turn on your hot water faucet and cold water comes out, don't necessarily blame your water heater. It's probably doing the job it was designed for, but you may be using more hot water than you used to. Perhaps the tank is smaller than you need or has a slow recovery rate (time required to build back the hot water you've used). Here's how to know when you need a new water heater and how to choose one.

GIFT SHOPPING BY MAIL WITH BETTER HOMES & GARDENS

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

It took so much out of me to persuade 10-year-old Judy to pronounce both R's in "library" that I think I'll wait until next year to try to get her to do the same thing with "February."