Consider buying new shredder; you can justify the expense

Dear Heloise: I’ve been going through financial files that have accumulated through the years, and I have many documents to shred. I was able to shred only a very small percentage of documents on my home-office shredder before the shredder gave out. I suppose I could “rent” a heavy-duty shredder, but I hate to for this one project. Your thoughts? Nancy K., Alexandria, Va.

You might want to rethink the situation. There are companies that will come to you and shred documents for well under $100 ($80 here in San Antonio) for one day. If you have a lot to do, this might be worth it! Some heavy-duty shredders can shred CDs, credit cards and binders. Look in the phone book, or check online through a search engine.

Shredders can “freeze up” and stop working unless you remember to oil them (or from overstuffing!). Be sure to use the correct oil that the manual suggests, since aerosol lubricants and flammable synthetic oils are not recommended.

Your financial security and peace of mind probably are more important than the $40 or $50 it will cost you to buy a new shredder. Trust me, you can justify the expense of a new shredder (versus renting one), since there always will be bills and invoices that need shredding in the future. Heloise

P.S.: Buy the best quality you can afford.

Dear Heloise: In your article in the newspaper, you mentioned that you can purchase the Forever Stamps by calling the USPS 800-STAMP-24 line, or you can get them online or at the post office. As a rural mail carrier, I would appreciate it if you also stated that any customer who lives on a rural mail route also can buy them directly from his or her mail carrier. We are known as the post office on wheels and provide many services. Thank you! Gertrud in Indiana

This mobile service may not be available in all areas, so check with your mail carrier, folks. Heloise

Dear Heloise: After having her braces taken off, my daughter has to wear retainers nightly. She rinses them every morning and puts them in the case. However, she never felt they were clean enough, or they had a funny smell, and she wanted to know what she could clean them with. I came up with denture cleaner. She puts them in the cleaner in the morning for 15 minutes, rinses them, then puts them in the case, and they are ready for that night. She says they are clean and have a nice mint smell and taste. Daria, Staten Island, N.Y.

Dear Heloise: It was hard for me to open plastic bags for fruit and vegetables, so I started taking one of the sanitary wipes that many supermarkets are placing by their entrances. I carry it in my cart, moisten my fingertips as I go, and voila! Merle Junker, Frederick, Md.

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