HELOISE Read fine print before signing on dotted line

Dear Heloise: Please remind your readers of the importance of reading documents before they sign them. Here is an example: Several years ago, we set up a living trust, which consisted of more than 50 pages. The attorney's assistant went through and explained each document, but we were not given an opportunity to actually read them before we signed.
Fortunately, I read everything before putting it away and found numerous errors. One example: I found I had named myself to act for me in the event that I became mentally or physically unable to handle my own affairs.
A suggestion: In this case, it would have been better had we found out ahead of time how many pages there were, then gone to the office an hour or so early to actually read it. People should take along a notepad to mark down any obvious errors, and write down the page number of any items they don't understand. C.G., Indianapolis
Reading the fine print -- and there can be a lot -- is very important. Take your time, don't let anyone rush you, and go over every page. Good advice all around. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I was searching for a card for a friend of mine who is losing her eyesight. I knew she would have a difficult time reading it or any message I wrote on the card. I solved that by finding a card that had a musical chip and played a tune. The card was most appreciated.
If I have trouble finding such cards again, I will at least write a message in very large, heavy print. Ruth C., Montgomery, Texas
Dear Heloise: I am a volunteer at a local hospital, and I receive mail for patients. Most of the time, the patients are no longer there, so we have to return mail to the sender.
With the new privacy law, we no longer have access to patients' home addresses. Therefore, I would like to suggest that you put the patient's home address at the top rather than your address. When we have to return to sender, it will go to the patient's home rather than back to the sender. CeGayle Stackpole, Sacramento, Calif.
Dear Heloise: My friend and I like to play cards outdoors on park benches. But on windy days it's hard, because the cards fly off the table. I solved the problem by buying a dozen steel washers. I use one for each pile of cards, and they really do the trick.
It's easy to slide the cards under the washers, and they never blow away. We've passed this on to many people. Bill Caron, Somersworth, N.H.
Dear Heloise: Ever been vacuuming and ended up with a handful of paper and stuff too big for the vacuum? Well, just hang a plastic grocery bag from the vacuum handle, and you can throw that trash away as you go. Lindi Hobbs, Colorado Springs, Colo.
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.
King Features Syndicate