Know the warning signs indicating a charity scam
Today’ssound-offisawarning about charity scams:
Dear Heloise: In this colderweather, many charitieswill be asking for donations to help the homeless and theneedy. Many are reputable agencieswhose only goal is to help others. However, it’s also a time when somescamartists trytomake their bogus phone calls and emails sound legitimate, but they’re reallyout tohelp only themselves. Don’t let them pressure you to give right now. It’s awarning sign that they are scammers. If they request payment in cash, gift card or wire transfer, it’s another sign of a scammer. Before you hand over a dime, check them out on www.charitynavigator.org or www.charitywatch.org. Butwhatever you do, do not hand out any financial or personal information. Don’t assume requests for help on social media or crowdfunding sites are legitimate. Do your research before you hand over your hard-earned money. -- Paul B., Chicago
FAST FACTS
Uses for old but still useful pillowcases:
■ Cut a hole in the center of the bottom and use to slip over clothes to protect them.
■ Place over tender plants to protect from the cold.
■ Use in place of plastic bags for shopping.
■ Cover decorative pillows that are being stored for next season.
■ Slip over a ceiling fan blade and when you pull it off, use enough pressure from your hands to remove dust. -- Heloise
FROM AN OUTDOORS MAN
DearHeloise: I verymuch enjoy your column. As an outdoors man I would like to submit the following hint: Clean out a thumb-release prescription medicine container, because they are great for storing fishhooks, sinkers and for holding peanuts, mixed nuts and candies to take on outdoor adventures. -- Mike S., Laotto, Ind.
CEREAL
Dear Heloise: You may have boxes of unsweetened cerealwith less than a bowl left to eat. One good way to use the remainder is to sprinkle it into a bowl of hot soup.
It’s a delicious, crunchyway to use the remaining cereal. It peps up the soup! -- M.D., Colorado Springs, Colo.
M.D., this is a clever way to use that small portion left in a cereal box. Some people also like to crumple it up and put it in a bird feeder with seeds. -- Heloise
CHANGING LANES
DearHeloise: Your recent hint concerning the use of turn signals for changing lanes was good. However, oneimportantthingwasmissing. When changing lanes, you must first look to make sure there is no vehicle just to your rear in the next lane towhich youwishto change.
Numerous times I have had to break quickly to miss the car ahead of me that is changing lanes without the driver first checking tomake sure all is clear. -- Larry in Amarillo, Texas
Larry, you bring up an excellent point. Most drivers do not use their side mirrors as much as they should. Many cars have a “blind spot,” and their side mirrors help them navigate the highways and avoid an accident. — Heloise