Create a personal family records checklist

DEAR READERS: Make certain you have one or two places where all family records are kept. This could be in a safe deposit box, a secure drawer at home, on your computer or in the cloud. Make sure they are accessible to family members in case of an emergency. Here’s what to include in your family records list:

■ Will and trust agreements, along with insurance policies and funeral plans.

■ Safe deposit box key and information (make a list of what’s in the box).

■ Bank and brokerage accounts, pension plans and business records.

■ Credit card and Social Security numbers.

■ Doctor, family lawyer and hospital data.

— Heloise

SLUMBER PARTY IDEA

DEAR READERS:

When your younger girls gather for a slumber party, here’s a fun idea for them. Get a box or two of macaroni and have them make pasta jewelry with the uncooked noodles.

Provide them with different color felt-tip pens or paint pens and colorful string. They can draw designs on the noodles and then run string through them to make necklaces and bracelets, which they can take home. — Heloise

SCUFF MARKS ON PATENT LEATHER

DEAR READERS:

It’s easy to get these marks that mar the surface on shoes and purses. Here’s how to remove them: Use a terry-cloth towel, microfiber cloth or pencil eraser to rub off the scuff marks.

If this does not work, use a cotton swab. Dip it into rubbing alcohol and then rub over the mark. Wipe off with a clean cloth. To keep patent leather clean, dampen a cloth with a mild soap and water and then wipe over the marks. Buff with a soft cloth to shine. — Heloise

TESTING STEAK FOR DONENESS

DEAR READERS: When you cook steak, it can sometimes be hard to know when it is done or cooked to the degree family members want. If you don’t have any fancy gadgets for this, simply use your finger! Here’s how to tell:

1. If the steak is soft, it’s rare or undercooked.

2. If it’s firm and bounces back a bit, it’s medium rare.

3. If the steak is really firm, it’s well done.

— 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 email it to Heloise@Heloise. com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.