Government offers free consumer information

Dear Readers: With the economy the way it is, we are all looking for ways to stretch our budgets. The federal government is (and has been) a terrific source of free information on a wide range of timely topics to help you and your family.

Earlier this month, we celebrated National Consumer Protection Week. Now is an excellent time to learn or review skills to help you make smart decisions concerning money. The Federal Citizen Information Center and the Federal Trade Commission are offering Heloise readers a special package of publications focusing on issues that many of us are facing:

•How to deal with mortgage payments.

•How to handle debt collectors.

•How to repair a spotty credit history.

•How to get a free credit report.

Plus, you will receive the 2009 Consumer Action Handbook — a terrific collection of consumer tips and resources that I’ve been using for years.

Order your free package today online, by mail or by phone. Visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov and click on “Heloise”; write to Heloise, Pueblo, CO 81009; or call 888-8-PUEBLO (that’s 888-878-3256).

Practical, easy-to-understand information from these federal agencies can help you stretch a paycheck or tell the difference between a real deal and a fake product or service. In short, it’s information that can help you and your family deal with many of these issues. Heloise

P.S.: Clip this column right now so you won’t forget to order these must-have helpful publications.

Dear Heloise: We like to send photos to our family and friends who do not have computers, and we have found that the cost of photo paper is high. Also, the weight of photo paper really increases the postage amount.

So, I found glossy paper at the local office-supply store, and it works great. It is made for copying photos but can be used on laser and inkjet printers. The cost of a ream of 500 pages is about the same as for a small package of photo paper, and the weight is much lighter.

We can add five to six photos on this paper in a greeting card, and the postage is just the regular rate. It’s really a great savings, and gives us the opportunity to share photos for a reasonable cost. Linda Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Photo paper can be expensive, so this is a good hint for saving money. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I use bright-colored binder clips from our stationery store to eliminate a problem I have had with toothpaste tubes that are partly used. I just neatly roll or fold the bottom of the tube to push the paste toward the capped end and put a clip on the rolled-up end. This keeps the paste where you can use it, and the different-colored metal clips are also attractive. This works on nearly any type of product in a tube, especially plastic ones. James P., San Angelo, 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