Phone can save time, money

One of the greatest time-savers you have in your home is thetelephone.

Before wearing out your shoes looking for an item, call severalstores and inquire if the item is available. If you are about toshop for clothes, use the telephone to learn which store has thegarment in the color and the size you want. Think of the time youwill save by buying your groceries and meats by phone. Sure, youwill pay for delivery, but if your time is valuable, it's worth it.

Time and money can be saved if you telephone various sources anddo comparison shopping for home furnishings and for services such asappliance repair. Think about it!

Is it better to buy or rent your phone? According to HouseholdInternational Money Management Institute, the major advantage toleasing a phone is that you are not responsible for repairs. You'llget immediate replacement if you take the phone to a service centeror you can have a replacement shipped to your home or office at nocharge. If you buy your telephone, you are responsible for repairs.Most of the better new phones, however, are covered by one- tofive-year warranties and can last up to 20 years.

There are many places that sell phones, includingmanufacturer-owned telephone centers and their outlets, traditionaldepartment stores, specialty and electronics stores, and homecenters. If you want to lease a phone, call your telephone companyand ask about your options.

Working parents like phones that store frequently callednumbers, such as those for baby-sitters, doctors, emergency servicesand family members. Some people may want a combination phone andanswering machine. Telephones with two or more lines may beimportant for a large family.

Styles of telephones vary from the classic desk phone to themore contemporary trim-type and Euro-styles phones. Before buying anexotic style, find out if standard replacement parts are available.The electronic cordless phone is the most innovative design developedwithin recent years. You can busy yourself about the house, or workoutside, without interrupting your conversation. Earlycordless-phone users experienced some problems, but the new modelshave been improved substantially.

Whatever phone you shop for, remember that warranties andconvenient repair service are as important as quality and price.

TIMELY TIPS: Often when you give your freezer or the freezercompartment of your fridge a quick cleaning, the sponge or clothsticks to the surface. To prevent that, add a bit of rubbing alcoholto the water. No more sticking.

DEAR DORSEY: This is the way I widened shoes that were tootight: I placed water in two plastic sandwich bags and secured thebags with twist ties. I placed a bag in the toe of each shoe. Ithen placed the shoes in the freezer. As the water froze into ice,it stretched the shoes, so that they now are comfortable.

LAURIE BAKER

DEAR DORSEY: You suggested in your column that we should markour front door keys with a dab of red nail polish to be able toidentify them from other keys on our rings. That is a great idea ifyour front door area has enough light to see the marked key. Here isanother idea to mark that key for fast entry. Using a file, make anotch on the side of the key so you can feel it in the dark. Thisalso is a good tip for marking the key that opens the door to yourcar. Love your column.

ELNA BRATKE

Many thanks, Elna, for the fine tip and the kind words. Quickaccess to our homes and our cars is an important safety measure thesedays!

Send your helpful hints or time- or money-saving tips to DorseyConnors, Box 3600, Chicago, 60654. If your letter is used in thiscolumn we will send you $5. Dorsey's book, Helpful Hints for HurriedHomemakers (Bonus Books, $7.95), is available at leading book stores.