HELOISE Keep bank statements to be on the safe side

Dear Heloise: I recently cleaned out some files, and I came across a bunch of old bank statements, some several years old. Is there a time period you should keep them? I would love to toss some but wanted to check first. Doreen G. from Colorado
Well, unfortunately, there is no "magic" number of years to keep bank statements. After much research, we received answers ranging from one to 10 years. Some of the banks in our area said that they keep statements on record and that if you need one, they should be able to research it for you. Another bank said that it has the statements back to 1999 at hand on its computer. Another bank mentioned that if it has to research a statement, it could cost up to $20 an hour, and the bank charges 50 cents a copy. This might be why a lot of people hold on to their statements.
Also, one of the banks said it only keeps statements for seven years. So, check with your financial institution to see what the policy is. To be on the safe side, why not store them away for at least 10 years or longer? This way, should you need them you can find them easily. Heloise
P.S. Check with your financial adviser to see what is recommended.
Dear Heloise: This is a comment regarding a recent item in your column from a reader about gardening tools and equipment made for musclemen.
I use a kid's shovel in the garden. It's just the perfect size. When I bought it, I thought it was a woman's shovel! It takes me a little longer, but it is much easier than using tools made for men. Heidi Anderson, Louisville
Dear Heloise: As a teacher, I attend one or more conferences a year. One of the wonderful benefits of the conferences is the vendors who will give you free items if you fill out their contact forms. Since there can be 200 or more vendors, you can develop writer's cramp very quickly! I take address labels that have my name and school information on them to these conferences. They allow me to speed up the process and move on to the next vendor.
By the way, I always take an empty suitcase with me so that I can haul all these goodies home. It saves on mailing them back. Carole Henry, San Antonio
Want to send out unique change-of-address notes to friends and family? Take a photo of your home, then, using a copier or your computer scanner, copy the photo onto small cards and type your name and new address on it. Not only do they have your new address, but they get a look at your new home, too. Heloise
Dear Heloise: With Christmas coming up, my hint is to use undecorated elastic ponytail holders to keep rolls of gift wrap from unraveling. Margaret Carr, Vero Beach, Fla.
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