August 1974

How to avoid bouncing checks

When used properly, a checking account can be a great convenience. You don't have to carry around as much cash, and you have legal receipts to prove payment and to back up tax records. But a bouncing check can be costly and embarrassing. Besides possibly damaging your credit, your mistake costs you a bank charge. How can you avoid this?

10 ways to help you get mortgage money today

In several areas of the country, the ups and downs of the economy in the past year or so have made availability of mortgage money uncertain. When money is in short supply, the going rates are high. Often state or federal ceilings prevail, so some lenders are reluctant to lend money at all.

Choosing a cooking school

If you think food is as fascinating as we do, if you eat up information on its history and social development, and if you want to add a little more pizzazz to what comes out of your kitchen, maybe it's time to consider joining a cooking school or class.

JUNKING MADE EASY

Not long ago a suburban Chicago junk dealer bought 39 obsolete parking meters. He knew from his years in business that he could sell them eventually, but little did he dream that meters were such hot items that all 39 would be snapped up in two weeks.

SMALL HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

"Home improvement" doesn't have to mean grandiose additions and lavish remodelings that cost an arm or a leg. In fact, the most successful projects are those that make the greatest improvement for the least outlay. Here are five such remodelings, varying in cost and complexity. In each case, the family considers they got a lot for their money.

SEWING SPECIAL: EXCLUSIVE BACK-TO-SCHOOL OUTFITS

GOOD NEWS

This powerful yard-cleanup machine can reduce grass clippings, twigs and other lawn debris to 1/30 of their bulk in seconds. Less bulk means fewer bags for the trash collectors to haul away. But, more important, the well-chewed organic matter discharged from the machine makes perfect mulch for moisture and weed control around plantings, and decomposes in a compost heap to form a nutrient-rich additive for your soil.

How to buy a used camper

A good time to buy a used camper is between Labor Day and Christmas, for two reasons: dealers are anxious to liquidate their inventories, and individuals selling their units are willing to take a lower price than they would in the spring.

Junking: A great way to decorate your home

It's only fair to warn you that it's easy to become an auction addict. It usually begins with an innocent afternoon of watching other people bid on all sorts of odd, old, and unusual things.

Junking: Personalize a room for a pittance

If you're turned off by player-safe styles, then crank up your courage and create your own look. This house is typically suburban on the outside, but inside it's like a 1930 Wisconsin summer cottage. The old curiosities include a church chandelier that was purchased by the round at a junk shop, a "Mission Style" table and chair, and a contemporary chrome table stopped with a leaded windowpane and a protective glass cover.

Junking: Furnish a room on a shoestring

No, you needn't resign yourself to a bare room just because prices are high and your budget is small. With imagination, and willingness to give other people's castoffs a second chance, you can create a sophisticated and thoroughly livable setting like this one, and do it on a shoestring.

Antique Or Junk

All of us have a bit of the magpie in our makeup. As a result, we may wind up with a miscellany of possessions, everything from hand-me-down knickknacks from Great-aunt Carries's curio cabinet to impulse buys from garage sale junkets.

Junk craft: treasures from trifles

Got any junk-- any useless stuff, trash, or rubbish lurking in your basement, attic, or some forgotten cubbyhole? If your clutter collection hasn't ended up in some neighborhood resale shop-- one of which we've pictured at right-- you may find you own some potential pearls.

Home canning tools and techniques

With the current rise in food prices and the boom in gardening, canning is coming into its own. If you've never canned, we recommend you start planning well in advance.

SUPER COLOSSAL AMUSEMENT PARKS

The little fellow with the big ears needs no introduction, nor do the two Magic Kingdoms at which he presides. Disneyland, California, and Walt Disney World, Florida, are renowned throughout most of the civilized world. But how many of these other comic characters can you name? They're some of Mickey's counterparts at other top-notch theme parks where millions of families are being entertained this summer with thrill rides, stage shows, and youthful good cheer in bright, colorful settings as wholesome as apple pie and mother.

GARDENING IN AUGUST

At least part of the time, let yourself be lazy this month. You deserve to sit back, relax, and enjoy the outdoor beauty you've created. In energetic moments, handle routine care. Set aside time, too, to gather fall and winter bouquets, and plan for next year's garden.

Better Homes Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The man next door

Dave Cavanaugh says he must have been bringing too much of his lawyer-talk home from the office. In the matter of the broken basement window, his younger son, Ted, pleads nolo contendere.