Send a party in a box to cheer our troops

Dear Heloise: Sending a “birthday party in a box” to our military is a great idea. The post office offers Flat Rate Priority boxes for free, including special boxes for APO/Military. There is also the ability to see when it is delivered with Delivery Confirmation. What a fantastic deal! Let’s honor our fighting men and women! K.J.R., Bedias, Texas

You can create your own “birthday party in a box” to celebrate someone’s birthday long-distance. This is all you will need: the person’s favorite cookies, candy that won’t melt, birthday-party hats, balloons, decorative plates, cups and napkins, etc. You can include a gift, fun photos, a humorous card — just let your imagination run wild. What a wonderful way to celebrate any special occasion long-distance!

For a military-service member away from home, this is a real heart hint. According to the U.S. Postal Service Web site, the Priority Mail APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes are free, and the cost to send the larger ones to an APO/AFO address is only $10.95. You can request the box be mailed to any address or P.O. Box. If the box won’t fit into the mailbox, the carrier will leave a note where to pick it up. Also, the Postal Service will pick up from your home or office for free. If you want to order boxes or schedule package pickup, go to the Web site at usps.com, or call (800) 610-8734. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Often, when I’m writing a check, a clerk will ask for my ID. My driver’s license is very difficult to pull out of its window slot in my wallet in a hurry, and I do not wish to hand the person my entire wallet.

The easy solution has been to cut a small, narrow strip of duct tape, put it on the front of the license (sticking out as if to be a tab divider), fold the tab over on itself and leave a little adhesive to attach it to the back of the license.

Make sure you don’t place it in the area of the magnetic strip, in case the card needs to be swiped through a card reader. The tab sticks out of the window, and the license is quickly pulled out of its window slot. Phyllis from Blacklick, Ohio

Dear Heloise: Please remind people when using their credit card at restaurants to fill in the Total Amount line so no one else can add anything to the bill. As a cashier, I am amazed at how many people don’t realize what can happen. Joan P., via e-mail

It is important to check the charges on your receipt are correct, add a tip and total it at the bottom. By keeping the customer copy, you can balance it against the credit-card bill. Heloise

Dear Heloise: If you run out of ornament hangers while decorating your holiday tree, use paper clips. Daphne in California

SBlt 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