The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-02-20
YOUR DOLLAR
By CONSUMERS UNION

If you buy a used car this year
chances are that you will pay more
for less value than you would have
paid in 1941. And unless you're care
full, you may be stuck with a car IL
poor condition which will cost yor
plenty for repairs.
] In the February issue, Gu. suggests
some general principles to help you
make better buy: 1. Stick to the
simpler models SKIES instead OF
Fights, for instance. 2. Buy late
model of low-priced car rather than
an earlier model of a more expensive
car which may be offered at the same
price. g. Take your time in buying.
Patronize a neighborhood dealer who
has some reputation to maintain. If
possible, take along mechanic you
can trust, to help you make driving
and inspection tests.
A copy of the February issue of
Gu. Reports, with pictures and ex-
plantations of 20 tests for used cars,
is available for 25c from Consumers
Unon, II Union So. W., New York.
THREE-lNONE OIL
Household oil is an important prod
uct in keeping your appliances run
ming. To many American families,
household oil means Three-in-One.
Yet, in tests of 22 brands, Gu. has
priced, but way down at the bottom
Of the list in quality.
Best Buys Of the % brands tested
were; Light oils: Gulfoil (1Oc); Sin
clair (15c). Heavy oils: Gulf Electric
MotorOil 1Oc). For families using
very large amounts, an even better
buy would be to use. four parts of any
good quality sac low motor oil to
one part of kerosene. 1t is satisfac-
tory for most household purposes and
costs about one-third as much as the
cheapest household oil.
LET THEM EAT BREAD
A new column, Food for Your
Family" will help Gu. readers follow
the. Food Guide for America worked
out at the National Nutrition Confer
ence. Menus and recipes based on
the Food Guide are given in each
weeks issue of Bread & Butter.
Don't mourn because your sugar is
cut down, counsels Frances Wills, the
columns editor. Most of us have
been eating too much sugar anyway.
The amount to be rationed will be
plenty for a healthful diet It's true
that sugar is an energy food. But we
can also get energy-plus vitamins,
minerals and other important food ele-
milk, eggs, and even
bread. Desserts can be made without |
sugar, substituting the sweetness of |
dried fruits, honey and molasses.
INCOME TAX
Now, when you're struggling with |
your 1941 return, is an excellent time I
to start keeping track of your ex-
penses for 1912. That will help you
make future income tax returns on a
businesslike basis.
There's nothing wrong or unpatri-
otic in using your deductions. ]. P.
Morgan and the Chase National Bank |
can be depended on to take off every
cent possible. So should you. You
can always invest what you save in
y. S. Savings Bonds. Many people
lon't know, for example, that union
iues and fees to professional societies
ire deductible as ordinary and neces-
,ary" for livelihood. Interest on
oans and on instalment purchases can
Do deducted, provided the interest is
)aid and clearly stated on your con-
ract as separate item. Money lost
through fire, theft, automobile acct
Tents, etc., is deductible from your
ncome if not compensated by insur-
lnce So are bad debts, provided you
establish clearly that the debt cannot
,e paid.
And don't forget to start that ex-
,ense account for 1912.
YOUR DOLLAR is a regular
monthly feature. The facts and y
opinions given are based on Con-
sumers Union Reports, the month
ly magazine of Consumers Union,
IL Union So. W., New York,
non profit organization W
main object is to safeguard buyers
by testing and reporting on con- ,
sumner goods. Note especially the :
information on labor conditions .
under which products are made.