EDITOR at large
If there's anything to the notion of reincarnation, I'd like to return next time as a photographer-- specifically, a photographer for BH&G. The people who have that job all seem to love it, and no wonder. They get to use their talents on a wide range of subjects, they frequently travel to pleasant locations, they work with helpful editors, they receive handsome fees, and their photographs are seen by 36 million readers.
Read ArticleNew Approaches To Teaching Youngsters How to Write
Are our schoolchildren learning how to write? Sliding test scores and ominous research findings in the mid-1970s indicated the answer to that question was "No"-- and the situation seems to have improved only slightly since then. But the remedy doesn't lie in more emphasis on spelling, punctuation, and grammar, according to educators who have probed the problem.
Read ArticleSELF-HEATING SOLAR ADDITIONS
When you sit down to discuss the design, size, and cost of your new addition, add one more subject to the list: the sun. If the south wall of your addition will receive unobstructed sun most of the day, you may be able to heat the room for free by using solar fuel.
Read ArticleAntiques & COLLECTIBLES
The development of mechanically produced pressed glass in this country around 1825 truly revolutionized the glass industry. Prior to that time, most fine glassware-- either hand-blown or hand-cut by European craftsmen-- was too expensive for many Americans to own.
Read ArticleInterest Paying Checking: Is It Right for You?
The possibility of earning money on funds that had not paid interest before certainly has its appeal. NOW ("negotiable order of withdrawal") accounts were designed to provide that opportunity by combining checking account convenience with short-term savings gains.
Read ArticleSetting Up a Holiday Cookie Swap
Part of the holiday fun is having a variety of cookies on hand for parties, gifts, and spur-of-the-moment snacks. But if you're too busy to spend hours baking, consider organizing a cookie exchange. It can ease your time crunch and give you a perfect excuse to get together with friends.
Read ArticleHow to Save With Coupons
Clipping coupons really can pay off-- provided you remember to use them where it counts-- at the store check-out line. The key to reaping refunds is to set up a system that works for you. Whether you're a casual or a hard-core clipper, you can benefit from the following tips.
Read ArticleGardener's log
During the winter months, garden centers sometimes get in shipments of Venus's-flytraps. These fascinating "insectivorous perennials" will actually trap and digest small insects when they're available.
Read ArticleWarranty Disputes
If you've never tangled with an auto dealer over a car's warranty, you're lucky. A recent National Science Foundation Study at the University of Wisconsin showed that half of the 1,500 local car buyers surveyed had some troublesome experience with an auto warranty.
Read ArticleDrapery Care Dos and Don'ts
Draperies take a big bite out of your decorating budget, so it makes sense to protect your investment. Here are some guidelines to help you prolong the life and good looks of your draperies.
Read ArticleEnergy-Saving Shades
One of the easiest and most economical ways to save home heating dollars is to cover your windows with ordinary roller shades. Although their R-value, or resistance to heat loss, is less than half that of specially designed quilted curtains (R=4.0) or insulated shutters (R=9.1), shades can cut winter heat loss through windows by a significant 30 to 35 percent.
Read ArticleHealth Insurance for Children
No matter how healthy your children turn out to be, chances are they'll account for thousands of dollars in medical bills by the time they are grown. Your only protection against a heavy drain on your resources is wise insurance planning, starting well before your children are conceived and continuing even into the first years after they are on their own.
Read ArticleTelephone Answering And Dialing Machines: What to Know Before You Buy
Telephones have come a long way since the days when you had to ring Central to place a call. Today, the market is filled with gadgets that answer your phone and record mes sages or that let you "dial" a num ber with the push of one button.
Read ArticleTHE BASIC BOX
If you're like many others who have thought about building a new house, you're wondering how you'll ever fit your "custom-built" tastes into a tract house budget. Or where you'll find a simple, easy-to-build design that promises low, low utility bills. In fact, you may decide that at today's prices, a house with the custom features you want is just pie in the sky.
Read ArticleThe Performers
Ladies and gentlemen! On this "stage," you're about to see some examples of the best furniture buys around--pieces that can help you make the most of every precious square foot of space by playing two (or more) parts.
Read ArticleA Versatile 6x8-Foot Storage Wall
Here's a kid's room project that keeps up with your child, from teddy bear time to the teen years-- and beyond. The left half of the unit evolves-- in three stages --from a baby-care station to a young artist's "studio" to a study center. The right half remains a storage area for clothes, toys, and the like.
Read ArticleDECORATING DIRECTIONS
Few of us embark on a decorating project with total confidence. We may know in our mind's eye what we want our home to look like, but turning this vision into a reality is easier said than done. Usually, the difficulty is simply not knowing where or how to begin. We want to get going in the right direction, but how?
Read ArticleUpdate of A 1950s Kitchen
When your budget is limited and/or you can't face the thought of living with dust and rubble for a total remodeling, do what these homeowners did. They transformed a 1950s kitchen/dining area into a 1980s "living room." And they did the updating without the hassle of removing even one wall.
Read ArticleProtecting Your Pet From Common Diseases
Despite medical advances, infectious diseases remain a major health threat to family pets. The best way to protect your dog and/or cat is to set up a simple schedule of initial vaccinations and booster shots later on. Check out the following charts, then ask a veterinarian to help you bring your pet's protection up to date.
Read ArticleMattress Buymanship
How well you sleep and how good you feel when you wake up may be largely determined by the mattress you choose. To ensure sleeping comfort and prevent morning backaches, test a number of mattresses and buy the best you can afford. A high-quality support system will reward you with many years of good service, while a low-quality mattress will probably sag after just a few years of use. Here are some pointers to help you select wisely.
Read ArticleTips, Tools, and TECHNIQUES
This feature is written by you. It's a wide-ranging collection of shop hints, installation tips, and repair shortcuts that you-- along with millions like you-- have picked up from your experience as a do-it-yourselfer. We pay $25 for each problem-solver we publish. See the box below for submission details.
Read ArticleEasy-to-Make Fabric Frame
Who says you have to buy an expensive frame to show off your favorite photograph? With a little creativity and some everyday materials, you can "fabricate" a unique frame as delightful as this one. Materials
Read ArticleCanned Tuna Tips
As you've probably discovered, canned tuna can be a real budget-stretcher as well as a time-saver. But for maximum savings, you need to know how to choose from the wide assortment of tuna products at the supermarket. Here are some tips to help you select the best buys for your family's needs.
Read ArticleA Storage Headboard YOU CAN BUILD
Here's a great way to add needed storage to your bedroom and frame your bed decoratively at the same time. This easy-to-build storage headboard has three handy bedside compartments for pillows, books, and clothing. To make your own unit, just follow these easy directions.
Read ArticleChoosing a Professional Photographer
If you want an extra-special portrait of Grandmother or a shot of the family reunion, consider hiring a pro rather than using your camera. Professional photography is expensive, but the results can be dramatic. And it's possible to keep costs down with a little shopping around.
Read ArticleTHRIFTY VACATIONS IN THE SUN
Vacationing in the sun is one sure way to lift your spirits, especially when reasonable prices go along with the fun. The Bahama Out Islands and colonial Mexico are two unique vacation destinations that offer outstanding value for your money. What's more, they're both relatively close at hand, so getting there doesn't cost a bundle.
Read ArticleShopping 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.
Read ArticleThe Man Next Door
Three sure signs of winter: The ducks and geese are winging their way south, the days are getting shorter, and Herb Hansen just returned the extension ladder he borrowed last June.
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