It pays to take issue with magazine renewals

Dear Heloise: Be careful when you are renewing a magazine subscription. I received a notice that one of mine (a well-known magazine) was due to expire, and I could renew it for only $15. I was writing the check when I noticed that the postcards inside the magazine for new subscriptions were only $12. I wrote to the magazine, and the reply was that they were sorry for the confusion but they have a variety of different issues. I’m not sure what that meant, but needless to say, it was renewed for $12.

Also, do not order or renew with a credit card. The magazine might automatically do it for you in the future whether you want it or not.

My husband receives several magazines relating to his hobby, and I was getting ready to renew one for him. He stopped me because he doesn’t even get that magazine! A San Antonio Reader, via e-mail

You do need to stay on top of subscription renewals. It’s a good idea to give the magazine a call or check its Web site to see if it is offering any specials before you just automatically renew. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Connector cords and adaptors for cameras and other electronics look so similar to one another, and once they get mixed up in a drawer, it’s nearly impossible to sort them out. Once I am certain I am keeping an item, I use a permanent marker to write the brand name and model number on the cord. Fine point is desirable, and a silver marker works the best on black cords. Yvonne, San Diego

Dear Heloise: I just read the hint from the lady about making the master keys and your comment about the new car keys having chips in them. Two things about new cars:

With a lot of cars, if you get out of the car and leave the key in to run and get something you forgot, the cars will lock after a short time, and you are left with a car that’s running and no way to get in.

Also, though it costs a bundle to have a new key with a chip made, you can have a key without the chip made that will open your doors and that doesn’t cost as much.

I always make sure I put it in my pocket before I leave the house and not in my purse, since my purse is usually in the locked car. B.J. Walker, Wichita Falls, Texas

Dear Heloise:I receive a lot of packages and find that I am very reluctant to throw away anything that is reusable. I recently collected all of my packing peanuts and donated them (40 gallons) to my neighborhood postal store.

The employees were surprised and thankful. Maybe by using things two or three times, we will not be buried in trash. R.A. Cheatham, Salem, Ore.

X 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