HELOISE Reader suggests making rubbing of metal label

Dear Heloise: If you have problems reading the metal plates on the backs of VCRs, etc., I would suggest making a rubbing of the label, like we used to do in kindergarten.
Just take a piece of paper and a crayon, put the paper over the (raised -- H) letters and rub it with the crayon. Then you can just read it off the paper and not have to pull out the VCR again to get model numbers, etc. David Silva, Via E-mail
Fast facts: Other uses for large, metal mint containers:
UHold tea bags.
UStore extra nails, screws and pushpins.
UMake one into a purse/travel sewing kit.
UKeep one in a game box to hold smaller, loose playing pieces.
UA mint container is great for keeping a small tube of an antibiotic and adhesive bandages in the car or desk.
Dear Heloise: My husband created a "lids" drawer in our kitchen that saves a lot of time. All the lids from our metal and plastic containers are stored in one place. M. Carson, Houston
This also makes more space in the cupboard, where bowls/containers can be nestled in one another. Heloise
Dear Heloise: This hint is for people wary of putting their address on their keys yet still wanting to ensure the keys' return in case of loss.
Many grocery stores in our neighborhood have member cards that entitle the owner to special savings. In order to obtain a card, you have to fill out an information card, which includes name, address and phone number, so that the stores can track your purchases for marketing purposes. The cards also come with tags for your key chain, with only the member's number on the card and a note to return the keys to the store in case they are lost.
If the keys are brought to the store, a manager can access the member's home information and notify the person that the store has the keys. I have two stores' tags, just in case.
Hope this offers your readers a safer alternative. Stephanie Strahan, Via E-mail
Dear Readers: There are always two views, and sometimes more. Please read on for another opinion. Heloise
Dear Heloise: My pet peeve is being required to have a grocery "discount" card to get the special discount price. My wallet and key ring are full of them!
I don't see what advantage these cards offer shoppers. In fact, they are a great inconvenience to me. They slow me down at the checkout, since I have to produce the card or pay higher prices.
I think that the cost of producing, replacing and entering these cards into some kind of database costs consumers more in the long run. I try my very best to shop most frequently at those stores that offer real sale prices to everyone and don't require a card. Genny Kistner, Pearland, Texas
XSend a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, Fax: (210) HELOISE or E-mail: Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate