HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: About four years ago I retired from my job, but I still want to work part time. The problem is, no one seems to want to hire a person over 65 years of age. I taught school for many years and hold a master’s degree in education. I’m treated as though I’m too senile to use a cellphone or a computer. Granted, there are some jobs I can’t do that require me to stand for hours at a time, such as retail, but there are many other positions and skills for which I’m well suited, yet no one seems willing to give a me chance. There are many people my age who would like to work but are treated as though we’re invisible.
— Mary in Minnesota
DEAR READER: Older workers have so many advantages and bring many skill sets to the table. They’re far less concerned with promotion and money and more focused on being useful, interacting with people and their community. They are often times more patient and empathetic, making them excellent for customer service jobs. Older workers are more flexible with hours and they’re loyal, which results in less turnover. Also, providing health care isn’t an issue for part-timers or retirees on Medicare.
However, older workers must keep up with technology and must be willing to learn new skills and new ways of doing things. No employer wants to hear about how things used to be done.
DEAR HELOISE: My shower head is clogged with mineral deposits. How do I clean it?
— Beth in Idaho
DEAR READER: You can either take it apart and soak all parts in vinegar overnight or fill a sandwich bag with vinegar, wrap around the shower head so that the entire head is submerged in vinegar and secure with a rubber band. Leave it on overnight, then scrub the head clean with a brush. Those mineral deposits should be gone.
DEAR READERS: Some clever thieves have found that they can peel off the security chip on credit cards and glue them to other cards so they can run up charges on the card-holder’s account. They glue the chip onto another card, leaving your credit card without a chip. Most people don’t notice their card is missing the chip. If your card is missing a chip or the chip is glued on in a sloppy manner, notify the card provider immediately and get a new card. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Heloise@Heloise.com