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Show By SALLY OLDS weekends. Tell the operator when you get a wrong number, so you can get credit even if it was your own fault FOOD While we are all in the habit of eating regularly, our food outlay is extremely flexible. A recent survey made by consumer expert Margolius among 300 Queens, N.Y., families with similar incomes found that their daily food costs ranged from $1.25 to $1.90 per person. For a family of four, this may mean a difference of almost $1,000 per year. When you market, calculate unit prices (price per ounce) to determine cost differences between brands and between sizes. Usually the economy-size- d package is a better buy than the smaller one, but this 'is not always so. Only arithmetic will tell for sure. Urge your local markets to provide information, but until they do, figure it out yourself. Shop right after you finish a meal: food won't look so interesting; and youH buy fewer impulse items. Make up your list ahead of time, and star those items for which you have cents-of- f coupons, so you won't forget them at check-otime. Pack picnic lunches for family outings instead of going to restaurants. You'll save money, and you may have an even better time. TRANSPORTATION Keep your car longer instead of trading it in every two or three years. If you give it the repairs it needs as soon as it needs them, it should serve you long and well. Buy your new car in the late summer or early fall so you can get the previous year's model at substantial savings. market. Investigate the used-ca- r Since a car loses 29 percent of its current value each year, you will pay, for car in good condition, a about half as much as you would for a new one. CLOTHING Invest in a sewing machine. One mother of two, who kept a record of her first year's use of her machine, estimated that it had paid for itself within a year through home repairs and simple sewing. After that, whatever she saved was a gift. Get to the store on the first day of a sale in order to find the best merchandise. If vour children have definite cloth- - J' 1 XN s unit-prici- ng fill"' I HI"! Ill M HI l ii Be careful when buying .... irgain-price- items. They may not be as good a quality nor last long. d" ut two-year-o- ld high-quali- ty "family Buy health insurance, especially a type that covers you for major illness. It may hurt to pay those high premiums but it will hurt more if you are struck by accident or illness and are not covered. READING AND RECREATION Discover your local library for magazines and best sellers. Make a pact with your friends to forego elaborate entertaining in favor of light refreshments. Your health and your figure will benefit, as well as your bank account. PERSONAL CARE Learn to cut your children's hair at home or go along with the trend toward long hair. Invest in a wiglet or fall to save trips to the hairdresser unless you know you're all thumbs. Check your spending on toiletries do you really need all those bottles? OTHER GOODS AND SERVICES Check your local humane society for a lovable pet. You might just find a pedigreed dog available for only a nominal donation. Choose a medium or small animal big dogs are too expensive to feed. Make up your Christmas list early ing preferences, don't buy without taking them. The best bargain is a waste of money if it never emerges from the closet. Discover your local automatic cleaner for cleaning knits, children's jackets, and other items that do not require pressing. You'll pay about half the cost of regular dry cleaning. MEDICAL CARE Too many people save money on doctor's bills by not paying them! Here are some better suggestions: Stay healthy through annual checkups, appropriate immunizations, good nutrition, and adequate rest. Choose a family doctor who is affiliated with a reputable hospital. He will keep a permanent record of your medical history, which should prevent the duplication of expensive tests. Before seeing any doctor, ask him or his secretary what the fee will be. Shop around before having a prescription filled. A recent survey of 13 typical pharmacies found that prices for filling the identical prescription ranged from $2.65 to $5.95. Remember, though, that convenience costs. If you need delivery or service, expect to pay more. 24-ho- ur WeCKiy, NOVVmovr r, iviu t II II Ml ri I I m mm m m m mr m mm wm wm mm wm IHM CJ"' mH I tm mm wm wm d barto take advantage of gains. Plan to make some of your own gifts: while you will be spending less money, you'll be giving more of yourself as well. Despite the rising tide of inflation, you can spend less money if you make up your mind to do so. No one else can tell you how because only you know how important each expenditure is to you. We all make choices. One family may spend $40 a week on the children's music lessons; another will take an dab-oraand educational vacation; another will buy a new house; another will employ household help. You can balance income with outgo if you make choices. Such choices are difficult but not impossible for the family that truly wants to cut back its spending. year-roun- te More Ways for Families to Save! Readers wanting guidance on how to acquire more of the things they really want, get out of debt, provide for college expenses, trips all without earning a penny more may send for Arthur Milton's book, "How to Get a Dollar's Value for a Dollar Spent." Mail only $4.95 to 50603 "DOLLAR'S VALUE," 2093 Book Bldg., 4500 N.W. 135 S Miami, Fla. 33054. mmmm mm m I0rtMimjl0 mm mm III III" |