HELOISE: All phones don’t have number of ways to call

Dear Heloise: Please tell businesses using initials or words to make their phone number easier to remember that technology has changed, and in many cases this method no longer works.

I was calling a bank, and it kept asking me to push the numbers that correspond with my state abbreviation. I could not do so because my cell phone and now my new home phone both have the numbers on one side in order like a calculator.

Since I didn’t have an old phone available, I had no way of knowing which numbers those were. I also recently wanted to contact a place and looked at its sign as I drove by. I had the same problem. It listed the number in letters to make it easier to remember, but I could not dial the number.

So, before businesses waste any more money on advertising, please remind them that this no longer works on all phones, and as time goes on, probably all phones will be like that.

Also, regarding tracking leftovers, I keep a dry-erase board with dry-erase marker on my fridge door. You can get them at discount stores.

When I have leftovers, I put them in a fridge container of appropriate size and write what’s in it on the board, followed by the date. When I use the leftover or discard it, I just erase it from the board. You can tell by a glance at the board what’s for dinner!

Larry Durr, Lexington, Ky.

Dear Readers: Here are some uses for the complimentary cloth shoe-cleaner pocket from a hotel:

Hold small electronic equipment — camera, GPS, digital music player, cell phone or personal digital assistant.

Place jewelry in it for travel.

Wipe computer screen, laptop, television, cell phone, etc., with it.

Place coins and other pocket items in one when going through airport security.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here’s one more hint on how people can remember something they need when they leave the house or work. I learned this trick from my husband.

If he needs to remind himself of something later in the day, before he gets out of the car he turns the rearview mirror cockeyed.

That way, when he gets back in the car hours later and starts to back up, he has to adjust the mirror, and he is reminded of whatever it was he needed to have or do.

This works and has saved us more than once from forgetting something!

A Reader, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: My Sound Off is manufacturers who put such little clasps on necklaces. It takes me forever to get them together!

Jo in San Antonio

Jo, I understand your frustration. Why not check out a local crafts store for larger clasps, or visit a jeweler, who may be able to help.

Heloise

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