HELOISE Check balance before giving a gift card

Dear Heloise: At work, we have had many showers and have purchased gift cards. The last two that we purchased were the plastic credit-card type. They were scanned at the store, and luckily, we kept the sales ticket -- because when they were taken to the store, there was no balance on them. We have since learned to purchase the card, go home and call the number on the back to check the balance. This way, we know that the scan worked on the card, thus causing no more embarrassing moments of being told your card is no good. Sandy Mason, Conway, Ark.
This was a concern in my office, as some of my assistants routinely buy gift cards. Thanks so much for bringing this to our attention and hopefully deterring a problem. Heloise
Dear Heloise: A few years ago, a roommate gave me a wonderful timesaving tip. Instead of soaping up or using shaving cream on your legs to shave, simply use an inexpensive body lotion as your lubricant. Spread it on where you can see it (don't rub it in), and voil & aacute;! Shave and moisturize at the same time. Beats packing the extra can of shaving cream on trips! Angi LeVan, Statesville, N.C.
Dear Heloise: An idea from my sister-in-law has made my 90-year-old father's life much easier.
His walking cane kept slipping off of tabletops at home and in restaurants, to his embarrassment and hassle. Solution: Get some double-stick foam mounting tape and place a small square on the end of the curved handle. It will stay in place when you rest it on a table. You will need to replace it when the stickiness gets used up. From a former Texan, via e-mail
Dear Heloise: Once or twice a week, I dash off postcards to friends and family, with sometimes just a note saying we are doing fine, hope they are OK, we are thinking of them, etc. Sort of like greeting an old friend on the street corner. They love this and always remark on how thoughtful I am. This is so easy to do and so very rewarding.
I know the disappointment of going to the mailbox day after day with no personal mail. You could ask any veteran what the highlight of the day was while in the military, and it would be "mail call." For retired people, going to the mailbox is an important part of their day, also. So make sure they get an occasional card -- and it is so very easy to do. John Colombe, Indianapolis
John, thanks for the nice reminder -- it only takes a minute or two to jot a quick hello. Heloise
Dear Heloise: An easy way to deal with telemarketers is to subscribe to the service where you can view incoming telephone numbers. I have this, and I don't answer calls that say "out of area" or "unknown number." A friend or family member will leave a message on my answering machine. Bev, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
King Features Syndicate