Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Dear Heloise: The letter from a reader regarding the organization of her financial papers raised a serious question with me. I, too, had decided to put my heir's name on my bank account and home. I talked to a lawyer, who warned me that this meant if my heir had any serious financial setbacks, any of my assets with his name on it would be available to settle any debt he incurred.
Every state has different laws regarding property and estates, but I would recommend that the reader consult a lawyer. I got the same result by signing a living will along with power of attorney for my heir. Marcia Morocco, Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Marcia, you are right -- you should always contact a lawyer for advice when dealing with estates and other legal issues. The reader's hint was not meant to suggest that others follow what she did as far as adding someone to legal papers, but rather how to keep all of the paperwork together. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When I go shopping, whether it is at the grocery store or the mall, I put a major credit card and my driver's license in one pocket. In the other pocket I carry some cash for small purchases. This frees me from having to be concerned about my handbag being stolen, plus my back appreciates one less package to carry. Barbara McCutchan, Houston
Good idea, but how about putting your license and credit card in a small wallet and keep that in your pocket? I'd be afraid that, because they are loose, one would slip out of my pocket. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Have you ever spray-painted small objects and gotten paint splatters on everything around them? Messes can be avoided if you put the objects you want to paint in a cardboard box. Lay the box sideways so the open end faces you. Put some newspaper on the bottom, then place the objects in the box. You'll be amazed how nice it is to spray-paint without a mess. T.B., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I read your column about the wrapping-paper solution (what to do to keep it from unwrapping). Your faithful readers, of whom I am one, might find the following to be an easy and very economical solution:
Use the tube from an empty roll of toilet tissue. Slice it open, then slip it around the roll of wrapping paper. Also, the tube inside wrapping paper (once the paper is used up) can be cut and used in the same way. B. Hiner, Monterey, Va.
Dear Heloise: Pretty king- or queen-size top sheets make great lightweight bedspreads for twin beds. You'll have enough length at the top to cover a pillow. Frances Munson, Fayetteville, Ark.
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.
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