DEAR HELOISE: I was surprised to get a letter from a major discount retailer's finance department stating that because I haven't used its credit card in over six months and have no balance on the card, the company is going to close my charge account.
I thought I was being responsible by paying off my card, and that the company would want me as a customer because I am conscientious.
I called the company, and the representative apologized, and said at first that it makes no business sense for the company to keep inactive accounts open.
Then she said this is a marketing technique to remind people that they have the credit card. Ridiculous!
Do your readers have any comments?
-- Erica D., San Antonio
DEAR READER: Readers, what do you say?
DEAR HELOISE: I lost my father, and as I was sorting through the sympathy cards, I had an idea for a helpful hint. Please do not make checks out "To the family of (name)" or even just "family."
It's difficult enough to deal with the memories and the generosity of friends and family without trying to convince the bank you are the "family of" a deceased person.
-- Diane H., via email
DEAR HELOISE: I just wanted to let you know a way to reuse those foam pump soap containers.
I thought that if liquid soap comes out in foam form, why not other liquids? I put some blue glass cleaner in the bottle and pressed, and voila -- foam window cleaner. Less mess and no buckets of water.
-- Anna Mae S.,
Lancaster, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: When I moved out of my apartment, I of course forwarded my address with the post office, but there always can be letters that get through, and the forward is good only for about one year.
I left several large, stamped envelopes with my new address with the landlord, and some with the new tenant. They usually will forward mail to me as a courtesy. I would do the same for them!
-- Jackson F. in Alabama
DEAR HELOISE: I decorated a recipe box, and on index cards inside I have the businesses and phone numbers I deal with, such as newspapers, the gas company, TV, etc. I keep the file on my desk.
-- Donna A., California
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
Style on 07/11/2017