Remember those originals at the copy machine

Dear Heloise: Many people have received photographs and other precious documents for Christmas, and some will take them to a store to be copied. Many original documents will get left in copy machines.

Once, I couldn’t find an original I had copied. So I went back to the store where I made the copy. When I asked, the lady brought out a large cardboard box of originals that had been left. There were antique photographs, new photographs, letters, certificates, newspaper articles and even some library books.

I asked the store to put a notice on the exit door and also on the copy machine. When I make copies now, I take a bright-colored folder and put the original in it. When I make copies, I put them under the original in the folder. A Reader, via e-mail

Yikes! This happens in many offices and public copy shops, but it is frightening to think about sensitive personal information being left behind. Heloise

Dear Heloise: On my computer, I created a list of telephone numbers for family and friends. It’s lengthy and fills both sides of a piece of paper. I keep one copy in our telephone book, one in my purse and another in our motor home. Periodically, I update the document file and print new sheets.

I do the same thing with my address list using a greeting-card program. It’s always handy and easily updated. Envelopes for cards easily can be printed in minutes as well. No cramped fingers! Rachel Bedford, Lakeland, Fla.

Dear Heloise: I let my family members know where my medications are kept. In case of an emergency, I also have the business cards of my doctor, dentist, etc. (in the same container), for their information and for paramedics, if needed. Theresa Martinez, San Antonio

Dear Heloise: With the colder weather, I almost always wear boots to work. When I get home and remove the boots, I stuff some newspaper into them to absorb excess moisture and to keep them in shape. The added bonus is that any odor is removed, too! Works great and fits into my budget, since it’s free! Deanna, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: When pouring wine, there usually is a drop or two that runs down the side of the bottle to stain the counter or tablecloth. We’ve found that if we double-loop one of those cloth-covered, elastic ponytail hair bands around the neck of the bottle, it will catch those drops before they can stain the tablecloth. The bands can be washed and used again. Eddie Brewster, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I like to keep my bowling ball and bag in the trunk of my car. I put a large piece of rubber shelf liner down first. This prevents the bowling bag from sliding around when I drive. Gertrude Reifman, Laguna Hills, Calif.

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