Web site entries track a book's journey

Dear Heloise: A way to share a book and continue being entertained by its journey long after you have "released" it is described at www.bookcrossing.com.
The idea is to put a label with a BookCrossing ID number in the book and then leave it in a public place. One can download and print labels, or purchase preprinted labels. As the book passes through future readers' hands, they are encouraged to go to the Web site and make a journal entry under that ID number and once again leave the book in a public place for yet another reader.
The journal entries give reader comments and record the progress of the book as it passes from one reader to the next. Larry L., Moorpark, Calif.
Larry, I love, love, love this idea, and as an author of more than 11 books, I wholeheartedly suggest to my readers to "pass a book on."
Reading a book is a joy and such a wonderful way to learn about places and people, and just plain escape. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column in the Texarkana (Texas) Gazette every morning.
When shopping at garage sales, consider buying the clothing there in order to purchase the fabric. Garments in good condition -- velvet, silk or even pure wool -- can contain enough material to complete a craft or a pillow and can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of fabric off the bolt. Jane Morris, Texarkana, Texas
Dear Heloise: I'd like to share something I've found helpful for gift-giving. Because it is often difficult to buy for people, I started keeping individualized lists on my computer. For example, if a loved one mentions something he or she would like and the time is not near a gift-giving holiday or birthday, I simply add it to the person's list. When it's time to buy for that person, I refer to the list and know that I can find something I'm sure he or she will like. Lisa R., via e-mail
Dear Heloise: I am one of those who pay my credit-card statement in full every month. I use the card as often as possible to take advantage of the rewards.
Each time I make a purchase, I enter the purchase amount into my checkbook (just as if I had written a check). At the end of the month, when the bill comes, there are no surprises as to how much I owe. I write the check to the credit-card company, but do not have to deduct the amount. Terry Nicodemus, Cape Coral, Fla.
Dear Heloise: When I'm baking and not using my cooktop, I use a strong magnet to hold my recipe on my vent hood. It's at my eye level, and I won't drop, drip or splash stuff on it. D. Jackson, Little Rock, Ark.
Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate