DEAR HELOISE: Do you have any hints for storing digital photos? I have hundreds of pictures saved on my computer, and I have a hard time finding what I am looking for.
-- Isabella in Texas
DEAR READER: Here are a few hints to help you and others in the same situation:
• When downloading pictures, change and edit the image name. A lot of photos are named "IMG--250, etc." Change to something like "IMG--250 Chammy and birds." Naming photos can make them easier to find.
• Try sorting your photos into folders; they don't all have to be in the same one. You can make a folder for "Pets," "Family," "2004," etc. That way, when looking, you hopefully can narrow it down by the folder.
• Go through your photos periodically and delete a lot. Why do we keep photos that we don't like or that were taken by accident? Get rid of them. They are just wasting space and making it harder to find the ones you want.
• Invest in an external hard drive. You don't want to lose all your photos if your computer (or phone) crashes.
• If you store them on DVDs, be sure to check them periodically -- they will not last forever.
DEAR HELOISE: My favorite hint for my friends is to never pack separate His and Her bags when traveling together. Pack several complete outfits in each other's bag. One lady on a cruise never received her luggage and had to wear her husband's clothes and buy clothes at each port.
Save receipts. If this happens to you -- losing your luggage and having to buy clothes -- you might be able to make an insurance claim.
-- Amy H., Garden Grove, Calif.
DEAR READER: Never put medicine or valuables (including new, expensive purchases) in checked luggage. My carry-on always has makeup, meds, important files and paperwork, as well as a change of blouse plus an extra scarf. I can survive for a day or two, if necessary.
DEAR HELOISE: I started cutting out the Hints From Heloise that I wanted for future reference. Pieces of newspaper were cluttering up the counter and were disorganized. To keep track of the hints, I made a "Hints From Heloise" note on the notes function of my phone. When I see a hint I want, I type it into my electronic notes.
-- Catherine C., via email
DEAR HELOISE: I lost the little brush that came with my electric shaver and is used to clean it. I was stumped about what to do. I had an extra toothbrush, and it has become what I use to clean my shaver.
-- Patrick in Tennessee
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
Heloise@Heloise.com
MovieStyle on 09/12/2014