Store receipts on computer file

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 21, 2006 by Hints

Dear Heloise: Don't print receipts for online orders -- just highlight the information, copy, paste and save to a computer file. Like everyone else seems to be, I'm drowning in clutter.

This past year, I ordered most of my Christmas presents online, and I pasted the order information into a computer file rather than printing it out. I labeled the file by the vendor and date so I can find what I'm looking for if necessary. I have saved myself a lot of filing! -- Marilyn M., Reston, Va.

This is a great idea; you'll also save paper and printer ink. And when the item is delivered, you can make a note in the file, along with any remarks about the item such as quality and shipping comments, as well as pros and cons of ordering from the particular company, for future reference. -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: Love your column. I have an additional item to add to the emergency items that need to be taken during an evacuation. If you have school-age children, grab their last report card and a copy of their shot records (if possible -- Heloise).

We received many new students from Louisiana here in Texas, and it would have been so helpful if these records had been available. I never would have thought of these items until the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. -- Cathy Bliton, Katy, Texas

Dear Heloise: Don't know what to do with all those nice pictures (mostly school pictures of the kids) that came in some of the Christmas cards from friends and family? I took a tray, filled it with pine cones (on their sides, facing out from the middle) and inserted the bottom of a photo in each pine cone. Or, you can even display the pine cones and photos on a mantel, etc. It sure is better than stashing the pictures back in the cards or in a drawer. We've really been enjoying the happy pictures this way. -- Judy, Vienna, Va.

Dear Heloise: I was showing my mother a trick I had for little nails, and she said I should send it in to you.

On the backs of the picture frames, if you have to put a hanger on it and the nails are too tiny to hold while you hammer them in, then hold the nail with a pair of tweezers till the nail gets settled in. It works great. This will work for any nail or screw that is too tiny to hold with your fingers. -- Texas reader, via e- mail

FYI: When clipping or pruning back indoor or outdoor plants, save the clippings and give to friends or relatives to start new plants. They'll love you for it. -- Heloise

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to 1-210- HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column. King Features Syndicate Inc.