LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: Are you having trouble and spending more than you should? Do you buy things you really don’t need or can’t afford? How do you know if you have a problem controlling your spending? Here are a few behaviors that may signal that you have a shopping compulsion: Buying things on a credit card that you never would buy with cash.
Purchasing lots of items,hiding them in the closet and then never using them.
Feeling a “high” from shopping.
Here are some suggestions to help if you think you may have a problem, courtesy of Shopaholics Anonymous:
Make a list when you go to the store, and stick to it.
Think when considering a purchase: Do I really need this?
If you see something you want to buy, go home and think about it first.
P.S.: Here is my hint: Even if the item is on sale, ask yourself, “Would I pay full price?”
DEAR HELOISE: My best friend and I take pleasure trips and usually rent a car.
When selecting a car from a row of vehicles, we take pictures of any damage we see and a close-up of the license plate. When checking into our hotel, we have the license number for the registration card.
- Shirley, via e-mail
DEAR READER: Great! Read on for another photo hint.
DEAR HELOISE: Have you ever been tempted to tear out a recipe from a magazine at the doctor’s office? I take a photo of the recipe with my smart phone.
- Marilyn in Lakeland, Fla.
DEAR READERS: Grabbing a sweater in our sometimes-chilly office, even in summertime, does occur. The office sweater has no buttons, so keeping it closed can be a challenge. One assistant uses a brass paper fastener, commonly called a brad, and carefully clips the sweater closed. It looks like a little gold button.
DEAR HELOISE: My neighborhood has a page on a social-media site. It’s great for announcing garage sales, new neighbors coming in, any issues going on, advertising for baby sitters, etc. We’ve found that this works great for keeping everyone informed.
- Karen in Illinois
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail
Style, Pages 30 on 07/24/2012