Remove labels when recycling

Dear Readers: The question of what to do with old magazines once you have read them comes in often. With everyone thinking “green” these days and wanting to recycle or reuse items, here are some places where you can take the magazines: senior-citizen centers, youth-detention centers, nursing or assisted-living homes, prisons/jails and veterans hospitals.

Be sure to remove any labels with your name and address on them. Heloise

P.S.: You also can recycle the magazines. Many schools, work centers and communities have bins for newspapers and magazines. Do your part for our planet.

Dear Heloise: I read your article about the uses for old CDs. I found that using them as coasters for candles is wonderful. They reflect the light and turn an arrangement of candles into a wonderful centerpiece, especially with crystal candlesticks and white candles. I use this every holiday. Judy Cunningham, Evansville, Ind.

Cute idea, but please don’t let the candle burn down, and never leave one burning in a room when you leave. Heloise

Dear Heloise: My daughter and I have to take a prescription drug daily. Since I purchase them from the same pharmacy, the bottles look the same. After years of looking at the name on the label, I decided to put a rubber band around mine so I can easily identify it from hers. I use the kind of band that is used for broccoli. It fits perfectly! This also would work for someone who has to take medication in the morning and evening. Just use a different-color band for morning and night. Michelle, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I use a marker pen to write the date I purchase an item on everything I bring into the house. If it is groceries, I also write the expiration date. This is absolutely invaluable. It helps to keep the groceries rotated and used before they go out of date.

If it is a nonfood item, like shampoo or makeup, I may have several bottles, and again it helps to rotate the stock.

And sometimes, just for the fun of it, it is surprising to know how long you have had that rug or knickknack, blouse or even coffee table! Carol Lynn, The Villages, Fla.

X 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