Credit score may be included with credit bill
Dear Heloise: I’ve noticed now that my credit card bill comes with my CREDIT SCORE. What gives? Helen, this is a fairly new service that some credit card companies provide. It can be easier to look for mistakes on your report when you see your score every month, but scores can vary from card to card, due to how the scores are calculated.
Even with this new service, it’s still a good idea to request your free credit reportonceayearfromoneofthe major credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion. Here’s how:
Visit www.AnnualCreditReport.com, call 877-322-8228, or write: Annual Credit Report Request Service P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 Heloise
Dear Heloise: My energy company states on an insert in my bill that to save money, I should set my thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer to cool, and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter to warm. These are guidelines, of course; you may need to adjust for comfort. Read your statement — there’s some good information on it!A
Dear Heloise: Is there anyone who still takes used greeting card fronts? Please reply in your column. Hi, Irma! St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is currently revamping its card program, but it is still accepting cards. Send the front of cards only (with no writing on the backs) to: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude’s St., Boulder City, NV 89005.
Due to licensing issues, St. Jude’s cannot accept Hallmark, American Greetings or Disney cards.
St. Jude’s also graciously accepts monetary donations to help the kids, who are at the ranch because of abuse and neglect, among other reasons. Dear Heloise: Those small, batteryoperated tea lights are the solution to burning candles, not only at Christmas, but at any time.
They flicker like real flames, I never have to replace burned-out candles, and, most importantly, if I forget to turn them off, no big deal — no danger offire! Dear Heloise: It’s that most wonderful time of the year — holiday gift-wrapping time. For years now, I have used my ironing board.
The height is adjustable — I move it around to where it suits me. No bending over, no sitting on the floor, no aching back. Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or Email: heloise@heloise.com.
Dear Abby: I had read many letters from young couples caught in the middle of a battle over where to spend Christmas. We celebrated Christmas at Thanksgiving. We put up the tree and had all the family presents wrapped and ready to exchange underneath.
It was a win-win! We got to share Christmas with family, watch our grandkids open their presents and enjoyed the holiday turkey with all the trimmings. The grandkids got two Christmases, and our kids enjoyed a guilt-free Christmas with their in-laws.
As for us — we spent Christmas with other people who, for whatever reason, couldn’t spend it with family. It worked for years, and my children now continue the tradition. Dear H.H.: You came up with an excellent solution. Thinking outside the box is a trait that can be extremely helpful in ensuring the success of the holiday celebrations.
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.