| Show larger items will take most of householders dollar in 1951 by thelma G walton 1950 may well be remembered as a year when S families spent a great deal of money on possessions family spending has been increasing ever since world war ir and probably has reached a record high this year spending was heaviest for durable goods during 1950 with automobiles taking first place and furniture and household equipment second D ming during the first half of the year spending for autos increased 23 per cent over 1949 and for furniture and household equipment 21 per cent new houses also figure prominently in the family spending picture of the old year an am estimated one and a fourth million new lew permanent homes or housing units were started in cities suburbs and towns in addition to many built on farms rural kural families in many places spent in installing electr electricity icAy this year by last june 86 per cent of all farms were electrified 10 percent more than the year before all in all the old year has been generally favorable to consumers although retail prices increased during the year they were a little lower in the winter and spring of 1950 than in 1949 but perhaps most important for family living is that so many families now are well fixed in transportation and housing because of their purchases of automobiles houses furnishings and equipment th the outlook for the new year different is different families may have larger incomes but prices may be higher and goods they want vant in short supply taxes already have increased consumer credit for financing many durable goods is restricted defense de production will call on the same resources used in the manufacturing of autos houses household equipment ip and other consumer goods |
