Want to borrow? Return to lender when done

Dear Heloise: Put your name on everything you loan out to other people. Maybe when they see your name, they will return it! If you have something that someone was nice enough to loan to you, please return it. G.W., via e-mail

Yes, indeed! Label everything loaned out. It wouldn’t hurt to keep a list of things (books included) that you loan to family and friends. Include the borrower’s name, date and any contact information.

Take a minute to think about things you might have borrowed but haven’t returned. Put the “return to sender” item in a visible place as a reminder to give it back to the lender. A special thank-you note or a small gift is nice if you are late in returning the item. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I have an older van in which the adjustable cup holders have broken and no longer hold smaller containers such as bottles of water. I didn’t want to go through the expense of replacing the holder. So, I took a short, sturdy plastic cup the same size as the largest setting on my holder, then, using two-sided adhesive strips, placed two strips on the bottom of the cup and a longer strip around the outside where the holder arms made contact. Pressing the plastic cup in place at the bottom and at the cup-holder arms around the middle, it was securely seated. My improvised cup holder is perfect for holding all sizes of drinks, especially the smaller water bottles, which no longer tip over. This works great for me, and there are no more spills. Kathleen G., Amarillo, Texas

Dear Heloise: Here is my hint for making a task easier: When I had to unplug everything from the back of my computer so I could move it, I took a digital photo of the back so I’d have a reference to look at when I had to put it all back together again. It really came in handy. Betty of San Diego

You can also use colored tape, dot stickers or numbered address labels on both the cord and its connection to help make the task of reconnecting everything less painful. Heloise

Dear Heloise: How do I remove a bumper sticker from my bumper? Mike Aboshar, Manchester, N.H.

Spray lubricating oil on the bumper sticker and wait a few minutes to let it penetrate. First, try to peel one corner away, spray more oil and try to slowly peel it off. Then use a plastic scrubbie to gently scrub it. It might take a second application to remove all the glue. Heloise

Dear Heloise: It seems everyone is carrying water bottles lately. I put on my bottle an “awareness” bracelet. Then I remember which one belongs to me if there are several bottles of the same brand of water as mine. Geri Tierney, via e-mail

XSend 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