March 1967

Can you deduct the cost of home improvement?

No-- at least not as a direct tax deduction. But keeping a record of your home-improvement costs can mean substantial tax savings whenever you sell your home.

What installment loan costs are tax deductible?

Any amount that's clearly stated as interest is deductible, but sometimes so-called "carrying charges" are too.

Are home entertainment expenses deductible?

Yes-- if you can back up a claim that the entertainment helps you get new business or keep existing business. But IRS is wary of this type of deduction-- so be prepared to prove that you had ample business motive. If you're an employee, you also must show that some business entertaining is required or expected as part of your job.

Should teen-agers have charge accounts?

Surprising as it may seem, handling their own credit tends to teach teen-agers financial responsibility. Most stores that offer special teen-age charge plans have found that the youngsters' repayment records are as good as-- or even better than-- those of adults.

FASHION PERIODICALS

A recent trend with those who love to collect things from the past and then use them imaginatively in decorating modern homes are the colored plates from old fashion magazines-- not reproductions but the original plates. And what a far cry these fashions of the 1880s, or even those of the 1920s, are from the modish apparel of today.

TEN SPECIAL VACATION TOURS

If you're trying to decide where to go for your vacation, come along on one of our new Better Homes and Gardens pre-arranged tours. You can choose among such exciting destinations as Europe, Mexico, California, the Hawaiian Islands, New York, Washington, D.C., the Caribbean, and Canada's Expo 67.

GOOD NEWS FOR MEN!

This air diffuser reacts automatically to the air temperature supplied by forced air heating/cooling systems; provides draft-free air circulation to the room during heating and cooling.

A BUILT-IN THAT GOES WHERE THE PARTY IS

THE PUBLIC DEBT: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

If you have a baby this year, it will come into the world owing about $2,000, the same debt every member of your family owes. Why? Because that's the per-capita share of the nation's public debt-- money owed by the federal government, the states, counties, cities, school districts, public authorities.

GAMES TO PLEASE A CROWD

What kind of entertaining are you planning for this season? Quiet and conservative? Hearty and hilarious? No matter what the temperament of your guests-- we've lined up a wonderful array of games that will intrigue, but never fatigue them!

A VERY WELL-PLANNED ADDITION

HANDYMAN HOW-TO

Until recently, tapes were used only for temporary repairs. With new adhesives and materials, tapes today do all jobs better-- and make them stick, some even permanently. Here are eight tapes to handle most any home need.

CONSIDERING SELLING YOUR CAR YOURSELF? READ THIS FIRST!

Many new car dealers with an overstock of used cars will make an especially attractive "cash deal" to avoid taking in your old used buggy. This is fine but you'll be left with the task of selling the old car and the job isn't always easy. In fact, if the dealer would rather not take your car in on trade it probably means he fears it will be slow to sell.

WILL YOUR NEXT TIRES BE RADIAL PLY?

Although radial ply tires have been available in Europe since 1947 and account for a major part of European tire usage, only a small percentage of cars in this country have them. But the situation is changing and changing rapidly. Radial ply tires are now available as factory installed options on several 1967 cars; as standard equipment on a few new models; and they are fast becoming available as replacements for your present tires.

A HALL--AND THAT'S NOT ALL

If you think of a hall as simply a means of getting from one place to another-- think again! A hall can be a decided asset-- provided you give it the attention you give the rest of your house. To prove our point, here are some ways to bring out the best in hallways.

WALLS THAT ENTERTAIN!

What are you doing with your walls? Take a look at ours-- they entertain! But only when we want them to. Read on and we'll show you exactly how it's done.

Step-by-step to a better kitchen--in the same space!

Are you putting off remodeling your kitchen because you're not sure how to start or how much it will cost? Perhaps you're not certain what is available, or where to look for it. Maybe you're not positive what you want or where to go to solve your kitchen problems.

This split-entry house is different

Why? Because it has all the things we like about a splitentry, none of the things we don't. The big difference is in the floor plan. A lot of split-entries cram everything into the top floor, turn the lower level into a kind of basement catchall-- and a bad investment. Here, the two levels share equally in the work load, and zone the house at the same time: living's up, sleeping's down. Designed by architects Bill Field and Norm Stoecker for the Lou Christens of St. Louis-- a family of six-- the house packs big family living in a little more than 1,700 square feet.

HOW TO PRUNE TREES AND SHRUBS

Where to prune and how much? You'll find the answers here. Check the branch and trunk structure of your trees and shrubs against these drawings. Then prune accordingly. Early spring is a good time, when deciduous plants are free of foliage.

20 GREAT LITTLE DECORATING IDEAS UNDER $25.00!

Little touches often add up to big decorating. They can supply the zip, sparkle, liveliness you're sometimes hard put to define but feel instinctively the minute you enter a room.

Montreal and Canada's Expo 67

The year for you to visit Canada is 1967 --Canada in general, Montreal in particular. The whole country is celebrating 100 years of confederation, and the centerpiece of all the attractions is Expo 67 in Montreal. It will be the biggest world's fair ever held, with more than 70 countries displaying their finest on a 1,000-acre site.

Las Vegas and the high desert

If your family thrives on extremes in vacation adventure, then this South west trip is for you. It's the 24-hour-a- day glitter and explosive action of Las Vegas-- and it's the hushed coolness of ancient Indian ruins at Mesa Verde or Aztec. It's a stunned first look down into the awesome vista of Grand Can yon or a startled glimpse up at the towering, red-rock buttes that guard Monument Valley. It's whispering des ert land, almost too vast to believe- and it's mammoth man-made lakes like Powell and Mead, where you'll never feel crowded feven on Sunday

Washington and the two Virginias

This trip takes you into almost every phase of our history: Virginia's early settlements; Revolutionary and Civil War scenes; West Virginia's Alleghen- ies, our first frontier; Washington, D.C., where history is made each day. Along the way are wide beaches, spec tacular mountains, quiet forests something for everyone in the family.

New Orleans and the Gulf States

Down around New Orleans, they have a word lagniappe. It means "some thing extra." And that's what you will find on this 1,800 mile circle tour of the new Deep South. It's the kind of family vacation that offers fun, en chantment, and history at every turn, any season. The Deep South is less ex pensive than most vacation regions, with parks and playgrounds galore, no toll roads, and only a few toll bridges along our route.

LOOK AHEAD TO SUMMER PRIVACY

SMART COOK ...

ALL THE LAUNDRY YOU NEED--IN ONLY 5x8 FEET

THE FACTS ABOUT EXERCISE

DESIGNER PILLOWS TO EMBROIDER

STEP BY STEP TO SUCCESSFUL WALLPAPERING

Wallpapering a room takes no more time or skill than you'd need to put on a couple of coats of paint. Modern, machine-printed patterns on paper that's pretrimmed for you at the factory or by your dealer eliminates tedious work. When you cut the strips to length, you can easily match the pattern of neighboring strips perfectly every time.

HOW TO ORDER PLANS FOR HOUSES AND PROJECTS

TRICKS YOU CAN PLAY WITH SHUTTERS

Looking for an inexpensive divider, an easy way to screen radiators, a different window treatment? Precut shutters are the answer.

MARCH GARDENING WHERE YOU LIVE!

Visit a spring flower show. One of the best indoor sports I know of is attending one of the big spring flower shows that are held in the larger cities. Try to have a look this year! New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago have their shows in March, so plan to attend at least one.

HOW TO ORGANIZE CHAOTIC CLOSETS

All you'll need to unclutter a closet is some hardware and accessories-- and a little workshop know-how. The notions department of your local department store has dozens of ingenious organizers. Just choose the ones that fit your closet space and needs.

AN EXTRA SINK CENTER!

SHOPPING EDITOR'S CHOICE

Discover the fun and convenience of shopping by mail! You can order with complete confidence any of the items shown: each company will refund your money if you're not delighted.

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

March may indeed come in like a lion and go out like a lamb-- but judging by the temperatures this winter, 1967's lamb will need every strand of wool he can muster.