In Sound Off, reader describes her top three pet peeves to a T

Dear Heloise: I have several Sound Off pet peeves that really get to me:

• Why can’t manufacturers make T-shirts in a specific size instead of offering the 34-36, 38-40, 42-44, or Small, Medium and Large: What about the person who needs a 40-42? My husband will swim in a 42-44, but the 38-40 will be a bit too tight.

• I rarely need two or three of something but would like it if the coupon for money off two would give you half the offer on one. Why can’t coupons be offered for money off one item?

• Why do stores offer an item 10 for $10? Oh, yes, I do know why — so the customer is tricked into buying 10 when he or she really doesn’t need 10.

Thanks for letting me sound off — I could go on! Doris Ranaglia, via e-mail

We have gotten a lot of comments on the 10 for $10 promotions that stores are now offering. One word of caution: Be sure to check the expiration dates on the items that are offered on sale, as one of my assistants bought several boxes of saltine crackers only to find that they expired the next month. She ended up giving them to the birds because her family couldn’t eat all of them before they got stale! Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are five ways to use a coffee filter besides filtering your coffee. Hope you find one of them us eful:

• Use to hold a handful of snacks.

• Use when drying windows.

• Hold a taco in one.

• Use to hold an ice-cream cone.

• Place in the bottom of a plant pot to hold soil in.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: My husband and I both read your column faithfully. On the subject of taking a picture of your license plate with your cell phone, my clever husband had one more suggestion. When you check into a hotel, you are always asked the make, model and license-plate number of your car. Neither one of us can remember the whole number. What a timesaver to open your phone and have the information at your fingertips. Sherry, Ojai, Calif.

This is a great way to remember your license plate! Heloise

Dear Heloise: Like so many other environmentally conscious shoppers, I bring my own bags. And then, like so many other green-conscious people, I remember only at the checkout that I’ve left the bags in my car!

It would be an enormous help if shopping centers posted prominent signs in their parking lots reminding customers to take their reusable bags inside with them. Em Saks, Falmouth, Maine

Dear Heloise: My husband has started doing the cooking. Here is a hint I learned from him: When using a lot of a spice, he just takes the sprinkle top off! I used to shake and shake! Susan, via e-mail

SBltSend 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