HINTS FROM HELOISE

Dear Heloise:

Recently, my family and I had to make an emergency stop on a remote roadside, and we spotted a small case that contained a digital camera. Unfortunately, there were few photos on the camera, and certainly nothing that could tell us who the owner might be.

I thought that it would be wise for owners of such devices to include on their memory cards a small file (text file that can be created on any computer) named "ownerinfo.txt." It could have text like "If found, please return to . . ." and that way if they were to ever lose the memory card (or the device it is in), it could be returned. One could include a cellphone number or a mailing address, but not too much personal information.

Marie Featherston, Houston

A good hint, and for those not technically savvy, stick an address label on the camera or take a photo of the same.

Dear Heloise:

Whenever I get a bill for a subscription renewal, I check prices on the Internet. If I find a better price, I call the magazine's customer-service line and ask the magazine to match the price. So far, they've all said yes!

Kelley Sanderson, Chipeta Park, Colo.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it toHeloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state when faxing or using e-mail. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

2008King Features Syndicate