HELOISE Monitoring service wastes your money

Dear Heloise: I received a form from a national chain store offering to maintain a credit-monitoring service in my name if I would fill in the blanks with my Social Security Number and my mother's maiden name. Cost: $30 a year, charged in advance to my account.
This is a fast way to waste $30. You only need a credit report if you are denied credit for some reason, and then the report is free! Pat W., Avon, Ind.
Most people don't need to pay a company to monitor their credit report. You can call the credit-reporting agency directly, and it will send you a copy (although there might be a small charge). Don't send or give any company you aren't familiar with your Social Security number or mother's maiden name.
Note: It's important to check your credit report occasionally (not just if you are denied), especially if you are planning on a large purchase like a house, car, etc. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Here's a hint to help readers keep inventory of household items in the event of a disaster.
If you own a camcorder, go around the entire house and film items in every room while describing them. Then just put the tape in a safety-deposit box. You will have a perfect picture of everything. Diane R., Louisville, Ky.
Hopefully, you will never need this, but you will sure be glad you have it if the need arises. Why not take a few minutes right now to tape your possessions? Heloise
Dear Heloise: Using this number as an example, I'd like to tell you how I handled my telephone answering-machine message.
I put: "You have reached 123-4567. If you wish us to return your call, please leave a message at the sound of the tone. Thank you."
My friends now do it this way, too. No one knows if you're home, away, busy or alone. And if it's a wrong number, the caller doesn't know your identity.
Just call me cautious. A New Hampshire Reader
Dear Heloise: My old roommate had the attic bedroom in our apartment, and he had moth problems with his sweaters.
When I took his old room, I found that most cedar products for closet use were needlessly expensive. For a couple of dollars, you can buy a few pounds of compressed cedar chips at any pet store. I took an old pair of brightly colored pantyhose and cut the legs into 6- or 7-inch lengths.
I knotted one end of the "tube," stuffed it with cedar chips until it was about the diameter of a tennis ball and knotted the other end. These can be scattered in drawers or hung in closets with tacks, ribbons or yarn. It's a great use for those attractively colored hose with runs. Betty B., Rochester, N.Y.
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