HELPFUL HINTS
DEAR HELOISE: Recently on the news, I heard that the average price of a wedding in America is $35,000! Just how many engaged couples have that kind of money to invest in their big day?
— Carmon H., Ohio DEAR READER: Weddings today have gotten very expensive, but there are ways to save money on your big day. Costs can be kept down by budgeting, trimming the guest list and settling for less show and more intimacy. Sometimes it’s not the bride and groom who want an elaborate wedding, but their families. Spend a little or spend a lot, you are just as married either way.
DEAR HELOISE: Why do I need to destroy the labels on my medicine bottles? — Loretta C., Danville, Ill. DEAR READER: This is to ensure your privacy and to prevent people from trying to refill your prescription for themselves.
DEAR HELOISE: We put our home on the market after putting in new flooring, painting the exterior, replacing the dishwasher and scrubbing the house from stem to stern. However, none of the real estate agents want to list it for what we feel it’s worth. How do they determine a house’s worth?
— Carolyn S., Arizona DEAR READER: It’s not that your renovations aren’t important — they are. However, prices are determined by market value, which is based on local data and comparable sales. Real estate agents usually know what price will entice buyers to look at your home and what buyers are looking for in homes today. We all value our homes because to us they hold memories, but you can’t place a price tag on those memories.
DEAR HELOISE: When packing for a cruise, there are a few items I always take along, but no one tells you about how handy these things are when you need them. Believe me, you’ll need them at some point: power strip extension cord sticky-backed notes antibacterial wipes over-the-door organizer clothespins.
— Maggie J., Orlando, Fla. DEAR READER: These are excellent items to have along on any trip. To your list I would add a refillable water bottle and a coffee thermos. You can refill the thermos and take your coffee anywhere.
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email Heloise@Heloise.com