February 1976

NEW TAX LAWS THAT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

Last year, Congress conjured up some real tax breaks for you in a massive effort to lift the economy out of a deep recession. Only time will tell whether or not our legislators succeeded. But one thing's for sure:

HOUSEPLANT HOW-TO

The monstera has a magical appeal equaled by few other plants. The sensuousness of its large, glossy leaves, split and punctured at random, makes it an easy seller throughout the country.

ADDING CONVENIENCE TO A COUNTRY KITCHEN

When your kitchen needs remodeling, do you call in the experts or do the work yourself? The homeowners who masterminded this kitchen redo recognized that their talents with tools didn't qualify them as remodeling experts. So they called in a contractor to do some of the basics, then had fun finishing the kitchen themselves.

THE MILEAGE GAME: WHAT DO ALL THOSE NUMBERS MEAN?

Several public and private organizations are testing fuel mileage of new vehicles. One series of tests is run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); another by Union 76, an oil company; and still more by monthly magazines like Motor Trend, Road & Track, and Consumer Reports.

The complete workbench

This eight-by-two-foot work-bench puts everything at your fingertips and protects your small projects from sawdust and dirt. A 24-inch section of the work surface opens to reveal a dust-free space that's perfect for soldering and other detail work and for storing precision tools.

Step-by-step project scrapbook

ACCIDENTAL POISONING!

There are nearly 600 poison control centers across the country, stark testimony to the fact that accidental poisoning is an all-too-common occurrence. And when it does occur, it often demands swift action to save the victim's life. Since an estimated 80 percent of such accidents take place in the home, it's quite possible that one day a poisoning victim's fate will be in your hands.

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUES

A REGULAR FEATURE DESIGNED TO MAKE AROUND-THE-HOUSE JOBS EASIER FOR YOU

Buying beef in quantity

There's a sizable difference between buying a steak and investing in a side or a quarter of beef. You probably have doubts about buying something as unfamiliar to your food budget and shopping experience as a beef carcass. Sharpen your pencil and we'll get into the arithmetic of whether you really can save.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD HOUSE GREAT

Even the simplest house is actually a very complex product to evaluate. When you start thinking about traffic patterns, zoning, spatial relationships, proportions, and so on, you quickly realize just how tough it is to decide whether or not a particular house is a good investment. And after you see the price tag, you're acutely aware of just how important it is to make the right decision.

HOW TO ORGANIZE A BASEMENT

Basement blues? Maybe it's because you have to squeeze between stacks of magazines, step over canning jars, and move the Christmas ornaments just to get to whatever you want. You can corral the clutter by getting it up off the floor and onto storage units that you put together yourself. Why not start now?

Pillow pointers

There's really no such thing as a "perfect" bed pillow because everyone has his or her own criteria. However, if your pillow is giving you a pain in the neck instead of the comfortable night's sleep you deserve, then it's time to start shopping around for a more compatible pillow.

GOOD NEWS

Here's a haul-it-yourselfer even a small car can tow. The unit weighs just 250 pounds and has a hitch weight of only 25 pounds, but it will haul a half ton at highway speeds.

BETTER BEDROOMS MORE COMFORT MORE STORAGE MORE SPACE

How well does your bedroom work for you? Does it provide you with plenty of storage? Does everything in the room contribute to a feeling of comfort and peace? Is the space-- no matter how small or awkward-- being used to the utmost?

Southwest Quilters

stitched into their colorful art is a record of their lives, loves, hopes and hard times

Set your table with FLOWERS

They're all bloomin' masterpieces! The dinnerware bursting out of these packing boxes is the latest in floral design-- and as you can see, it's come a long way. Time was when posy-patterned china was pale, anemic, and usually confined to timid floral bandings. But no more. Today's tableware sheds its inhibitions and comes on strong. It's there to be admired and to make a definite contribution to the total decor of both dining and living areas.

CHANGE-OF-SCENE DINING SPOTS

Everyone likes a break in the routine, especially when it comes to dining. One solution is to go out to a restaurant, but a thriftier alternative is to stay right at home and seek out a spot you normally don't use for dining purposes. Try it. You'll enjoy the change, and so will your family.

Computerzied grocery checkouts

More and more cans, packages, and magazines in the supermarket these days are marked with a series of lines and numbers. They're part of the Universal Product Code system set up to revolutionalize the supermarket system by computerizing the check-out stand.

Is it true what they say about dogs?

Anyone who has ever owned a dog is willing to offer advice on canine care and behavior. This information costs you nothing: unfortunately, that's about how much many of these tips are worth. Here are a few of the misstatements you'll probably encounter. Simply smile politely and forget them. Or, better yet, tactfully set your adviser straight.

Nature-loving kitchen

How to order material from the magazine

GARDENING IN FEBRUARY

Be an early-bird gardener and put your housebound time to good use. To start, browse through the fresh crop of garden catalogs and plot new plantings. Then brighten the indoor scene by forcing a few flowering branches or bulbs into bloom.

BUYING A HOUSE? LOOK FOR A GUARANTEE

Picture yourself in this situation. After searching for months, checking out schools and neighborhoods, shopping for mortgages, and trudging through dozens of rooms, you've finally found and purchased a brand-new house that seems just right for your family. The tab is $38,500.

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

Our town is big enough to have an occasional scandal and small enough so that there's a chance we'll know some of the people involved.