HELOISE: Holiday cards lost and found

Dear Heloise: My mom and I love to shop for holiday cards at 50 percent off after-holiday sales. However, each of us has made the mistake of storing the cards for use the next year, only to forget and pay full price for new cards. This year, we tucked the cards into the bin in which we store our fall and Thanksgiving decorations. When we pull out the pumpkins and gourds in late October, we discover the previous year’s cards.

C.R. in Minneapolis

Dear Heloise: We get a lot of family photo cards for the holidays. Rather than throw them out at the end of the season, we cut out the photos and tape all the friend and family pictures together on the side of our fridge. We are able to see our friends and family all year, and it makes the season last that much longer!

P.G. in Harrisburg, Pa.

Dear Heloise: I’d like to advise people to be more careful with things they forward via e-mail. In this day where people forward pictures of their grandkids, pets, vacations, etc., they are woefully unaware of the dangers they are sending along as well. You may trust the recipient, but you have no idea to whom he or she may forward. If the header on your e-mail is not deleted, then everyone will have all the e-mail addresses!

As an example, I sent a funny picture to a woman I met at work. In turn, she sent it to her many friends and relatives!

The next thing I know, I’m getting spam e-mail telling me I’ve won millions of dollars, there are lonely men who want to meet me, etc.

Evalia, via e-mail

How right! When people forward and forward, all the names and addresses show up!

Heloise

Dear Heloise: When returning merchandise to a store (especially this time of year), if I don’t have the receipt, I have to fill out a form with my name, address and phone number. I carry my own mailing labels to put on the form. It saves a lot of writing and time.

Betty in Litchfield, Conn.

Dear Heloise: When I put out the trash bags, I spray them and the cans with ammonia. This way, the animals leave the garbage bags alone. I also spray a little on the ground around the bags.

Camillo B. in Pennsylvania

Many people do this, but please be mindful that the folks taking care of the trash ask you not to do this. They have to handle it!

Heloise

Dear Ladies: Sometimes the cutest purses are not user-friendly. Here are some hints to keep in mind when buying your next purse:

Make sure it’s easy to organize, with lots of compartments.

It is easiest to find things in purses with hard bottoms.

Look for a purse that is versatile, so you don’t have to switch as often.

Heloise

King Features Syndicate