HELOISE: Have kids’ ID info on them as you travel

Dear Heloise: Once when I was traveling, I was holding the baby and watching the luggage, and the 3-year-old ran away. After this incident, I always put a piece of masking tape on the back of the kids’ shirts with the flight info and all the phone numbers that are pertinent. The kids are told that the information is there and to walk to a uniformed adult if they get lost.

We never had to use it, but it made me feel so much better traveling by myself with the kids.

Sue, via e-mail

This is one hint, but please consider placing this information on an inside panel of clothing, or in a pocket so it isn’t visible to everyone.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: Recently, I had several rooms painted using four different colors. Before I went shopping for accessories, I took a heavy paper plate and drew a line down the center and painted a different color on each side of the line. On the back, I did the same thing. Now when I go to the store, I just fold the plate to fit in my purse, and I’m ready to exactly match fabrics, pillows, linens, etc.

Priscilla McChesney, Huntsville, Ala.

Dear Heloise: I have three daughters. Every Christmas, they would receive money from relatives. I allowed them to spend a portion on whatever they wanted. We would all go to the mall after Christmas and walk from one end to the other. They could look at whatever they wanted, but couldn’t buy until we were on the way back. They became very selective in their purchases, and never even spent all the money that they had available.

R. Parent, Houston

Dear Heloise: I place a set of guest towels in a cloth-type shopping bag or reusable tote from a local store and label with a guest’s name. I hang the bag on the towel hook in the bathroom. The guest has an extra bag that can be used while visiting, and he or she has a small souvenir to take home!

Leslie Jorgensen, Omaha, Neb.

Dear Heloise: My husband got a jury summons in which he has to call every night after 6 p.m. to see if and when they need him. He has to do this for a whole month. In order not to forget, we placed a sticky note in the center of the TV screen so that when he gets home for the evening, he will remember to call. We put the sticky note on his cell phone, and when he places it on the charger for the night, he can put it back on the TV.

Kristi, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: I keep a battery-operated tea light in my travel case to use as a night light in the dark bathrooms of hotels.

R. Cummins, Pulaski, Miss.

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate