HELOISE Don't be rushed into signing before reading

Dear Heloise: When you have to sign any contract or legal papers, always read before signing! Don't allow notaries, clerks, salespeople, etc., to rush you into signing before reading.
I recently had an experience when getting a home-equity loan. The notary acted very impatient while I skimmed over each page and asked a couple of simple questions before signing. After all, my house was at stake! I am a paralegal, so I was familiar with most of the language and was only skimming over each page. Even so, the notary repeated twice: "I made copies (without the blanks filled in) of the documents so you can read them at home. You know you have three days to rescind the contract." Yes, I did know; however, I didn't know for sure that the copies were exactly the same, and they had blanks.
If you feel uncomfortable reading all that small print while they watch, take it home to read at your leisure, or, better yet, take it to an attorney to check it out before you sign. A Reader, via fax
You're right about not letting anyone pressure you. There is a lot of fine print and, many times, so many pages! When in doubt, don't sign -- and get a professional to review the paperwork for you. Heloise
Dear Heloise: In this world of cordless and cell phones, it's still probably a good idea to have at least one phone in your home that is corded. If power goes out, your phone service will more than likely still be accessible; that's not the case if you have a dead cell phone or a cordless phone. Leslie in San Antonio
Dear Heloise: Several years ago, when I had cancer, I was told I wouldn't lose my hair during chemotherapy. But I started to lose it anyway.
I had my husband take photographs of me, front and back, before I lost very much hair, to show color and style. When we went to the wig shop, I took these photographs, along with several other recent ones, hoping we could get a close match.
By using the photographs, we were able to find a wig with the same coloring and even styled very similar to my own hairstyle. Shirlene L., Carrollton, Texas
Shirlene, your heart hint will surely help others. Thank you for taking the time to write. Good health, and please keep in touch. Heloise
Dear Readers: Do you have an older mattress, and the fitted sheet constantly comes undone? Here's an idea: Buy a mattress cover with a padded top and put it on the mattress. Since newer fitted sheets have deeper pockets for the new thicker mattresses, the cover might be just what you need. Voil & aacute; -- stay-put sheets.
King Features Syndicate