HELOISE Bargain gift ideas for students

Dear Heloise: You printed a list of small items that we could buy for kids getting ready to go to college, like flashlights, batteries, etc. Would you please reprint this information? I read your column in the San Antonio Express-News. Peg in Texas
Peg, I'd be happy to share this information again.
Here are some of the suggestions: a hammer, tape measure, level, stud finder, stationery, stamps, return-address labels, phone card, address book, picture frames, laundry basket with detergent and fabric softener, alarm clock, medical kit, roll of quarters, calendar and even a trash can.
These are all good and inexpensive gift ideas that anyone could buy, and the student will sure appreciate your gesture. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Here are a few things that you can do with an empty, plastic-foam egg carton:
UStore jewelry in it.
UUse to hold assorted colors of paint.
UOrganize paper clips, thumbtacks, etc. A reader from Mansfield
Dear Heloise: I wear an expensive brand of makeup, and from time to time I have knocked the bottles over onto the tile floor of my bathroom. The plastic tops usually shatter, and I am unable to close the bottle fully -- not so good for travel or for the shelf life of the makeup.
When I have used a bottle up, I save the top. In case I break one in the future, I have a replacement! A reader in Charlottesville, Va.
Dear Heloise: I open my mail at the kitchen table and have a paper shredder next to it. I shred junk mail that contains my name and address, tear off my name from magazines and recycle the rest of the paper and/or magazine at my local grade school. When the basket is full, I recycle the shredded paper, too! Lil Shaver, Sugar Land, Texas
Dear Heloise: I'd like to add one more thing to the list for new drivers: a highway-emergency-service membership.
When our son got his license, in addition to a cell phone, my husband and I added him to our membership. Now that he will have his car at college, it gives us peace of mind knowing that if he breaks down, he has someone to call for help. Arlene B., via fax
Dear Heloise: I had a small chip in the glaze on a mug that was one of my favorites. Rather than throw it away, I used clear nail polish to cover the chip and make a smooth surface. So far, it has held up through many dishwashings. Jan from Virginia
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.
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