This hint is the key to remembering your cell phone or camera

Dear Heloise: How many times have you hooked up your cell phone to its charger, only to go out the door without it? Ever charge up your digital camera battery for a special event, get there with the camera and sadly find out that the battery is sitting at home on the counter ... still charging?

I’ve come up with an easy way to avoid that happening ever again. As soon as I hook up anything to its charger, I put my car keys next to it. It really helps to keep my purse somewhat near the chargers. You can’t leave home without either item ever again — it works 100 percent! Lynda White, El Dorado Hills, Calif.

Lynda, how right you are! How many travelers have left a charger and battery in a hotel room? To avoid this, I put something (like a hand towel) out of place, even hanging it on the inside doorknob or security chain. Heloise

Dear Readers: Have a bunch of old key chains? Here are some hints for using them:

UPut on a ceiling fan or light pull for easy accessibility.

UUse separate ones to ID different keys (e.g., shed, lawn mower, etc.).

UUse as a zipper pull on coats, purses, backpacks, suitcases, etc.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I would like to share a recycle tip. When I run out of lipstick, I clean the container the lipstick came in and dry it thoroughly. I place a small amount of cotton from a cotton ball inside and place a couple of needles inside the lipstick container. I can then carry extra needles with me as I do my hand sewing. Anna Victoria Reich, Stafford, Va.

Dear Heloise: I buy the flower bouquets available at most stores. I prefer the carnations. After putting part of the vitamin packet in the water, I add a teaspoon of bleach. This prevents putrefaction, keeps the vase cleaner and seems to make them last longer. I change the water every four days and add a little of the packet each time. I can now make them go a month before I need a new bouquet. Karen Nelson, Roswell, N.M.

Dear Heloise: The paper container of an old, broken paper shredder makes a fine container in which to soak a sprained ankle. The size is perfect for a foot. Just add Epsom salts and warm to hot water. Peggy Kling, Huntsville, Ala.

Dear Heloise: I find the advertising industry (in particular, the clothing industry) to be sorely lacking in its portrayal of the typical woman today. I would love to see a model who is not a size 0 sporting the latest fashions. It would be a treat to see what a “normal” woman would look like in today’s styles. Now that would encourage me to shop at a specific store. Julie, 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