Now Here’s a Tip
By JOANN DERSON

• Pay attention to the price that is rung up per item. Oftentimes, sale prices have not been entered into the computer. If you saw the item in a circular, it pays to bring the whole circular with you — especially if it is a great deal. It will speed up a price correction at the register, and the people in line behind you will thank you for it.

• When entertaining, or for your own special family meals and celebrations, try this stressbuster: Set up the table with linens, plates and silverware up to a few days ahead of time. Cover it with a sheet and you have one less thing to worry about on the day of the event.

• “If you have problems with wax splattering when you extinguish a candle, get yourself a snuffer. It can eliminate smoke and keep the wick from drifting to one side or the other, and it prevents wax from splattering. Also, make sure you let the wax cool before you move your candle, since it’s still hot.” — Candle Aficionado in Ohio

(A note from JoAnn: Never leave a candle burning in an unsupervised space. Prevent a fire in your home!)

• Items typically on sale in December: holiday decorations, appliances, gift items.

• “If you use more than one type of Christmas card, use one of each style to hold a list of those to whom you sent it. If you have cards left over, you can avoid sending a duplicate the next year.” — W.L. in Texas

• “When packing for travel by airplane, have some of each member of the traveling party’s clothes in each suitcase. That way, if a bag is waylaid or lost, it won’t result in the loss of all of one person’s things.” — E.K. in Pennsylvania

Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853- 6475 or e-mail JoAnn at letters. kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2006 King Features Synd., Inc.