Couple’s ‘dog tags’ contain their emergency information

Dear Heloise: My husband and I wear something like the military dog tags. We have our name, city, state, date of birth, blood type, spouse’s name and phone number on one side, and on the other side we have the names of our daughter and son and sister, with the states and phone numbers. We wear these when traveling on vacation, when out walking, riding the motorcycle — almost every time we leave the house. I have my real name, with my nickname in parentheses. Bonnie Davis, Irvine, Calif.

Well, “dog tags” are good for us, so maybe we should call them “people tags”! Heloise

Dear Heloise: I had assumed that using the ATM was more reliable than a teller because it’s all computerized. Not so! When my deposit went missing at the bank, I discovered that the bank’s process is for the ATM teller to remove deposits from the machine and manually note them in a book. Since she had a question about mine, she locked it in a drawer without writing anything in her book — and then forgot about it and went on vacation! Lucky for me, I kept my receipt, so the bank manager searched until he found my deposit. Sally, via e-mail

Thank goodness you saved your receipt! This is a perfect example of why you should keep all ATM receipts until you verify that a deposit or withdrawal has been posted to your account. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Your column in The Orange County Register in California on wallet pickpockets reminded me of a tip I found out about some years ago.

To prevent someone from removing your wallet from your rear hip pocket, use a large rubber band on the wallet. The size is about 3 inches long by 1/4 inch wide. The rubber band hugs the inside pocket cloth, so if someone tried to remove your wallet, you would feel it. I’ve been using this method ever since. Henry Lulli, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Dear Heloise: Airplane fuel costs have resulted in the limitation of the number of checked bags, as well as more-stringent weight restrictions. Not having a scale in my home and not wanting an unpleasant surprise at the airport, I was concerned. Where can I weigh my bags before going to the airport? My vet’s office! It has front-door parking, with the scale a few feet inside the front door and at floor level, thus no high lifting. Carolyn Porter Stone, Harrisonburg, Va.

If you don’t have a scale, this is certainly an option, as long as you first call the vet to get permission to weigh the bags. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I listen to audiobooks. It is wonderful while doing housework or work outside to not be bored. In order to have audiobooks or discs with me all the time, I put them in a fanny pack, and away I go. Angela Cothren, Tyler, Texas

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